The Canadian government is taking steps to address the country’s labour shortage by creating a new economic pathway under the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) program, aimed at helping skilled refugees and other displaced individuals build their careers in Canada. The EMPP program pairs qualified refugees and other displaced individuals with Canadian employers who need to overcome labour shortages in key occupations, providing access to an untapped talent pool and helping vulnerable people restart their careers and lives in Canada.
The new federal pathway, which will open this summer, will complement existing EMPP pathways, giving employers more opportunities to fill a wide range of in-demand jobs, including nurse aides, personal support workers, long-term care aides, software engineers, web designers, mechanical and electrical engineers and technicians, teachers, tourism and hospitality workers, and truck and delivery service drivers. The program will also include a more flexible approach to eligibility by allowing other displaced people who lack a durable solution and are in need of international protection to apply.
The Canadian government’s continued commitment to welcoming skilled refugees and other displaced individuals is a reflection of its leadership in refugee resettlement and labour mobility. The government aims to make improvements to the immigration system to make it more responsive to Canada’s economic needs and humanitarian commitments.
The EMPP program has already been successful in helping skilled refugees and other displaced individuals connect with employers struggling to find workers in critical areas. The program has allowed employers to take advantage of an untapped pool of talent, providing refugees with the opportunity to rebuild their careers and lives in Canada while contributing to the country’s economy and enriching its communities. The new federal pathway under the EMPP program is expected to make the program more accessible to employers across Canada, creating more inclusive and diverse workplaces.
The Canadian government’s efforts to address the labour shortage through programs like the EMPP demonstrate its commitment to being a global leader in immigration and labour mobility. The new federal pathway is expected to play a pivotal role in facilitating the integration of displaced talent into Canada’s labour market, providing long-term solutions for candidates while helping to address staffing shortages in critical industries.