Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program becomes permanent from 1.1.2022

Alisha Khan
[Published 26 Jan, 2022 | 12:57 PM]
About Author - 11 min read
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The AIPP program will become permanent from January 1st, 2022. It is a successful Canadian immigration Program that allured 10,000 plus fresh permanent residents to the 4 provinces in Atlantic Canada in just a few years. 

Sean Fraser the Immigration Minister of Canada said that AIPP Program has made an unbelievable difference to the communities in regional Canada in the last few years. It has fetched us the highly demanded resource – more skilled workers. These immigrants are young, skilled and now stay in Canada, he added. So now the program will be made permanent to continue to attract the brightest and the best for building a prosperous and vibrant future for Atlantic Canada explained Fraser. 

The AIPP Program was established in 2017 and to date; employers have offered 9,800 plus jobs through the program. These are in major sectors such as Manufacturing, Food Services, Accommodations, and Healthcare. 90% plus of the candidates who immigrated through AIPP continued to reside in Atlantic Canada even after 1 year. It is a very high rate of retention in comparison with other Canadian immigration programs. 

Premiers of Atlantic Canada glad about the announcement 

Premiers of Atlantic Canada as well as politicians in other provinces have expressed delight regarding the move to make Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program permanent from 1.1.2022.  

Culture, Tourism, and Economic Growth Minister of Prince Edward Island Matthew MacKay said that undoubtedly the AIPP has significantly contributed towards the overall success and growth of PEI. Given the size of our province, such programs are highly useful and make a huge impact, he added. It is delighting to learn that AIPP will become permanent enabling us to attract more immigrants for residing, working, and staying in the province, said MacKay. 

The sentiments were endorsed by the Immigration Minister of New Brunswick Arlene Dunn. 

Dunn said that AIPP Program is a vital component of the population growth strategy of New Brunswick. It is integral for developing more inclusive, diverse, and cohesive communities in our province, he added. 

The news that this highly flourishing pilot is becoming permanent is truly delighting said, Dunn. We will partner with our colleagues in the Federal Government on this unique initiative and work for its continuing success in the region, he elaborated. 

IRCC - Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is working with provincial governments and employers for ensuring a smooth change of the pilot to a permanent program.

Applications for permanent AIP will be accepted from 6th March

Candidates having lawful endorsements can submit applications for Canada PR Visa through the new Atlantic Immigration Program from 6th March 2022. 

In the pre-pandemic years in 2019 and 2018, the provinces in Atlantic Canada witnessed their highest growth of population since the 1970s. Immigration was the chief propellant of this growth inclusive of AIPP. 

Nova Scotia is launching a marketing campaign worth $ 2.5 million for attracting immigrants from the rest of Canada and overseas. It is specifically delighted as the AIPP is being made permanent. 

Tim Houston the Premier of Nova Scotia said that the province is set for a new period of strategic growth and reaching the aim of 2 million populations by 2060. The AIP is a unique choice that will assist in focusing on our particular labor requirements. We are highly pleased that the Federal Government is making Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program permanent, said Houston. 

The permanent Atlantic Immigration Program will continue with the 3 features of the pilot that made it successful: 

• Focus on employers enhanced support for settlement 
• A collaborative strategy across provinces in Atlantic Canada 

The new aspects of the AIP will include elucidation of the roles of partners and increased support for employers through enhancing program requirements and training. This is to make sure that the new immigrants can settle in the region successfully. 

Gerry Byrne the Immigration Minister of Newfoundland and Labrador said that the AIPP was highly successful for the province. This is due to its flexibility and precision in responding to our challenges in alluring new immigrants, he explained. We not only achieved our targets in 2021 for the first time but also exceeded it, he informed. 

Why is AIPP Program regarded as successful?

The Atlantic region in Canada has one of the aging populations in the nation. A large number of workers in the provinces in Atlantic Canada are retiring and very few fresh workers are getting added. 

The issue is prevalent all across Canada but it is particularly distinct in the 4 provinces on the east coast: 

• Newfoundland and Labrador
• New Brunswick
• Prince Edward Island 
• Nova Scotia

The demographic issues of an aging population have been for a long time supported the case of economic immigration to Canada. Nevertheless, in spite of the successful PNP - Provincial Nominee Program launched in 1998 for catering to the regional demographic and labor market needs, Atlantic Canada found it tough to retain immigrants. 

AIP came into the picture with its launch in 2017 and has already demonstrated signs of initial success as per the report by IRCC. The IRCC report indicates that the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program is increasing retention rates in Atlantic Canada. 

Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program praised for successfully attracting immigrants

Gerry Byrne said that all efforts will be made for ensuring that the new AIP builds on the success of AIPP for accelerating the immigration of more immigrants to the province. It will also be taken care that it remains responsive to the dynamic needs of the employers and labor market, added Byrne. 

The 3 streams under AIPP are: 

• The Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program
• The Atlantic High-Skilled Program
• The Atlantic International Graduate Program

Skilled workers having a minimum of 1 year skilled/technical, professional, or management work experience and a job offer of a minimum of 1 year can apply for the High-Skilled Atlantic Program. 

Candidates who have permanent job offers that mandate job-specific training and/or high school education can apply for the Intermediate-Skilled Atlantic Program. 

Candidates who have a Diploma, Degree or another credential from an institution funded publicly in Atlantic province and a job offer of a minimum of 1 year and nil work experience can apply for International Graduate Atlantic Program.

Provincial endorsement is needed for all job offers made via AIPP. Once the candidate prepares the Settlement Plan, the endorsement application is taken care of by the employer. 

Overview of Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program

The AIPP is aimed at welcoming extra new immigrants to the Atlantic Canada provinces for catering to the needs of the local communities and employers. It permits locally designated employers to discover, hire and preserve global talents. AIPP also aims to support the growth of population, development of the skilled workforce, and enhance rates of employment in the region. It is a part of the broader Atlantic Growth Strategy that has a focus on these 5 priority areas: 

• Immigration and skilled workforce 
• Innovation 
• Climate change and clean growth
• Trade and investment
• Infrastructure

How does AIPP Program work?

AIPP is an immigration program driven by employers that assists in hiring overseas nationals. Each primary applicant arriving in Canada through the programs requires an offer of a job from a designated employer. They must also have a personalized settlement plan for themselves including accompanying family members if any. 

The employer has to first make the offer of a job after finding a candidate who fulfills their employment requirements and criteria of the program. It is not required to undergo the process of LMIA - Labor Market Impact Assessment. 

The employer will connect the candidate after acceptance of the job offer with a designated provider organization of settlement service. This is for the assessment of needs and developing a plan for settlement. They must also assist in the long-term assimilation of the new immigrant and family members if any. This is to achieve the objectives of the settlement plan after arrival in Canada. 

Employers who aim to quickly fill a job opening will require access to a provisional Work Permit. It will help the candidate and their family member/s to arrive in Canada at the earliest. Candidates will require the following to get this Work Permit: 

• A legitimate job offer
• A provincial letter 
• A pledge to apply for a Canada PR Visa within 3 months of the provisional work permit application

Employer designation

Employers seeking to recruit skilled immigrants under AIPP need to file an application with the Province/s for receiving the designation. They must obtain a separate designation from each Province if they are present in multiple Provinces. Employers also have to fulfill distinct requirements. It includes a pledge to support the new immigrants and family members in their assimilation into the new life in Atlantic Province in Canada.

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