A new method of fast-tracking the immigration path for skilled newcomers to Canada is a boon for the employers and businesses in Sudbury, MP Viviane Lapointe said Nov. 21.
Lapointe is referring to the new National Occupational Classification (NOC), which she called “a good boost for local employers and businesses in Sudbury,” in a news release.
The NOC implementation was announced last week as part of the federal government’s new Express Entry system.
“With the new program, newcomers with specific skills will benefit from expanded and expedited pathways to permanent residency, with six-month processing times,” the release from Lapointe’s office stated. “This new stream will help fill labour shortages in high-demand sectors like health care and construction.”
The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce also welcomed the announcement.
"It is great to see the Government of Canada making changes to assist businesses with the struggle of finding staff,” said Anthony Davis, chair of the Chamber of Commerce, in a news release. “Ensuring a fast and effective means to allow the high demand sectors to leverage a growing immigration population is key to ensuring services are not interrupted or delayed.”
Several occupations are eligible to apply for NOC Express Entry, including heavy equipment operators, repairers and servicers, and residential and commercial installers.
Also included are health-care occupations such as nurse aides, long-term care aides and hospital attendants.
“I see first-hand the impact of labour shortages in long-term care each time I visit my mother,” Lapointe said in a news release. “People working at the frontlines of our health-care system, and the people they care for, need more robust supports. This new program aims to do just that.”
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