Working for You

Hiring international students

Benefiting employers, students, and the local economy

LAURA HANUSIAK AND SUZANNE RIX, QC

IMMIGRATION LAWYERS COX & PALMER

Throughout the past few years, and particularly in light of the COVID19 pandemic, Nova Scotia’s appeal as a desirable place to live has only increased. Many international students in Nova Scotia wish to remain in the province following their graduation; however, they require worthwhile employment opportunities to be able to do so. Fortunately, the federal and provincial governments have created programs which will allow many to settle in Nova Scotia with relative ease.

Hiring an international student is a great way for employers to grow their workforce in Nova Scotia. International students are often well-educated, English- or French-speaking, and eager to integrate themselves into the community.

Over the past several years, the process for hiring an international student has become increasingly simplified. In brief, students holding a Study Permit who have completed a full-time program of study of at least 8 months at a qualified educational institution are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (“PGWP”). A PGWP is an open Work Permit, meaning that it allows the Permit holder to work for almost any Canadian employer.

The length of the PGWP will depend on the length of the student’s studies. If the student’s program lasted more than 8 months but less than 2 years, a student can obtain a PGWP for the length of their studies. If the program of study was 2 years or longer, a student can obtain a PGWP valid for 3 years. In many cases, international students can begin working while they wait for their PGWP application to be processed, as long as they held a valid Study Permit at the time their application was made.

In recognition of the difficulty that many recent graduates have encountered finding employment during the COVID19 pandemic, the federal government has introduced a new public policy allowing international students whose PGWP expired or will expire between September 20, 2021 and December 31, 2022 to apply for an additional 18-month extension of their Work Permit. This gives them more time to find skilled work experience in Canada.

Hiring a former international student on a PGWP can be done with ease by Nova Scotia employers as, unlike other Work Permit programs, the employer does not need to prove that they were not able to find a qualified Canadian or Permanent Resident to fill the position prior to offering employment. Rather, they can simply extend the offer of employment to the PGWP holder. There are no extra steps the employer must take when hiring a PGWP holder as opposed to a Canadian candidate.

International students often have diverse backgrounds, have had unique experiences, and may view the world through a different cultural lens that could help bring new perspectives and innovation to Nova Scotia’s businesses. They may also have global connections which can be utilized by an employer looking to expand their business and reach new markets outside of Nova Scotia or Canada. Hiring an international student who speaks another language (as many do) may also prove to be hugely beneficial for employers in today’s globalized economy.

International students who intend to remain in Canada on a permanent basis will often be seeking skilled work experience. Gaining skilled work experience in Nova Scotia will help international students to carve their pathway to Permanent Residence by way of the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry program. To avail themselves of this program, international students must have studied in Nova Scotia and have one year of full-time, skilled work experience in Nova Scotia at the time they apply. For employers, all that is required is that they provide a reference letter confirming the international student’s length of employment, job title, job duties, number of hours per week, and salary.

By hiring international students, employers have the opportunity to gain new perspectives, increase their innovation, diversify their workforce, make new connections, expand their business globally, and reach new markets. For international students who studied in Nova Scotia, working in a skilled job for a Nova Scotia employer for one year will provide them access to a straightforward Permanent Residence program, ultimately creating a win-win situation for both Nova Scotia employers and recent international graduates.

Suzanne Rix, QC, is the Managing Partner of Cox & Palmer’s Halifax office. She was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in 1998. Suzanne assists clients with all types of Work Permit Applications, Permanent Residence Applications and Canadian Citizenship Applications. Suzanne can be reached at srix@coxandpalmer.com.

Laura Hanusiak is an Associate in the Halifax office of Cox & Palmer. She is the Chair of the Citizenship and Immigration Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association – Nova Scotia Branch. Laura assists clients with various Work Permit, Temporary Residence and Permanent Residence Applications. Laura can be reached at lhanusiak@coxandpalmer.com.

People, planet, prosperity

Halifax’s Inclusive Economic Strategy for 2022-2027

WENDY LUTHER

PRESIDENT & CEO HALIFAX PARTNERSHIP

Imagine it’s 2037. Halifax is a prosperous, growing city with 650,000 residents and a booming economy valued at $32 billion. We are recognized as one of the greenest and most inclusive cities in North America — a city that puts the well-being of its people and planet first.

This is the long-term vision set out in People. Planet. Prosperity. Halifax’s Inclusive Economic Strategy for 20222027. Launched in April, the city’s new economic strategy is about growth, but not growth for growth’s sake. It focuses on ensuring all our residents can contribute to, and benefit from, Halifax’s growing economic prosperity.

Halifax Partnership led the development of the strategy, guided by the Economic Strategy Advisory Committee and in collaboration with the Halifax Regional Municipality. More than 2,500 business leaders, residents, and partners throughout the municipality contributed to this work by sharing ideas to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous Halifax.

Since the last economic plan spanning 2016-2021, Halifax has experienced remarkable economic and population growth. This is thanks to our post-secondary and community partners; all three orders of government; and the steadfast commitment, investment, and hard work of our business community.

“Over the next five years, we will continue to leverage our city’s strengths and momentum and build upon lessons learned.”

— Wendy Luther President & CEO, Halifax Partnership

Together, we have driven growth and innovation in our key sectors, created new jobs, and attracted new people and companies. Even during the uncertainty of the pandemic, Halifax has experienced increased prosperity and record population growth which has created both economic opportunities and challenges.

Over the next five years, we will continue to leverage our city’s strengths and momentum and build upon lessons learned to execute on three priorities: promote and maximize inclusive and sustainable growth; attract, retain, and develop talent; and make Halifax a better place to live and work. This includes tackling growing pains such as increased pressure on housing, transportation, and talent availability, while seizing opportunities to grow Halifax’s green economy and accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship.

Most importantly, we will focus on driving inclusive economic growth that creates a better quality of life for all residents while reducing our city’s carbon footprint. These are the fundamental values that will guide the implementation of the strategy’s 73 actions. Our ability to deliver on that promise and realize our long-term vision depends on all of us working together, and the private sector has a significant role to play.

Here are five actions your business can take today:

1. Explore the economic strategy at hfxeconstrategy.com and think about which goals and actions most align with your own. Bring your ideas and resources to the table and work with us to contribute to Halifax’s future success.

2. If your business needs talent, consider hiring internationally trained professionals or recent graduates. The Partnership’s labour market team can help you become a designated employer with the new permanent Atlantic Immigration Program and join the Halifax Connector Program where you will meet international and emerging talent.

3. Start-ups and SMEs are the foundation and future of our city. Give founders and small business owners the gift of your mentorship and be an early adopter and customer of their products and services. This will go a long way to ensuring the success of our business community.

4. Support the African Nova Scotian Road to Economic Prosperity by hiring and developing African Nova Scotian talent and by becoming a customer, mentor, or investor in Black-owned businesses.

5. Think about how you can green your business by developing or adopting energy efficiency plans, products, and practices. Reach out to Efficiency Nova Scotia to take advantage of programs that can make your business more competitive and comfortable while reducing your costs and carbon footprint.

As business leaders we all have work to do to realize our city’s full potential. Halifax Partnership looks forward to doing this work with you.

Learn more at:

hfxeconstrategy.com

A Love Letter to Small Businesses

Small businesses are the foundation of Nova Scotia's economy

ASHWIN KUTTY

CO-FOUNDER & CEO WEUSTHEM

Dear Small Business Owner:

We all know that small businesses are the foundation, the lifeblood of the Nova Scotian economy. Small businesses contribute greatly to our local economy by creating jobs, paying sales and property taxes, and further supporting the local business community by buying from other local suppliers. For every $100 spent at a small business, $68 returns to the local economy (see Prime Pay for more details).

Small businesses can be in any industry, be developing a product or service, and serving customers locally or internationally. I know that you are diverse in who you are and what you do. For so many great ideas and entrepreneurs with a strong work ethic, the main issue can be getting off the ground. I am glad there are a lot of incubators, startup seed organizations, and government supports that exist for you here in Nova Scotia and across the country. Any company may not plan to go national or international, but the important thing is that you coat our shores and the mainland with a healthy injection into our local economies that these supports are here for.

The unfortunate reality of the past couple of years is that small businesses were stuck in limbo due to the uncertainty of our economy and widespread closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That said, you, my fellow entrepreneur, have a drive that has resulted in you coming back even stronger than you once were. I am here cheering you on each day and will rally behind your continued growth as, regardless of the inflationary pressures we all feel, our economy restarts and roars back.

Everyone has an idea; the difference for us in Nova Scotia is that it seems to be full of people with fantastic ideas. You, small business, are innovative create over 16 times more patents per employee than large companies (see Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council). According to Statistics Canada, small businesses accounted for 98.1% of all employer businesses in Canada, in 2021. Last year, they employed 10.3 million Canadians, equating to 63.8% of our total labour force. Innovation is in your blood and the chutzpah to survive and thrive is within you.

There’s something about small businesses that is not only inviting to do-ers and go-getters but to customers as well. A mom-and-pop shop like yourself selling suits for the past 50 years has a special draw to potential customers — you offer a unique type of attention and service.

How can we help ensure a prosperous future, full of small businesses? Help those who have an idea find out how to make it work. Teach them the good and the bad of being a small business owner through your own journey. Sure, in the beginning it can be slow, working a hefty 60-hour week or on the opposite end, not having the time to dedicate to the concept, but the rewards of pursuing your dreams has no equal. Remind them to be tenacious and not lose hope when it gets tough. Tell them to avoid the naysayers and to chase their dream with everything in them. Also tell them that there are a whole bunch of us that they can reach out to for help, or at the very least for a check-in to get them through the tough times. We are lone rangers as you well know, but a helping hand never hurt us so, let's ensure the new aspiring small businesses know that as well.

You may no longer be a small business someday, and my hope remains that each of you to find success, as you define it. Don’t forget that you too struggled, you too built this from the ground up, and now there are others that can follow suit with your guidance, mentorship, and sage advice. By participating in building yet another small business, you are adding to the bloodline of our economy.

We need you and more of you, so go forth and propagate by bringing on new players to ride this tumultuous wave of entrepreneurship. Rest assured the rest of the community will be here cheering you on. They appreciate you as much as I do and will continue to support you as you do them.

To you and everyone that make you possible, Happy Small Business Week!

Love, The Community