Then there were five: Language tests for Canada Immigration

is a strong predicator of economic integration in Canada.

At this time, Canada has over 100 different pathways for economic class immigrants. Under the recently announced Immigration Levels Plan 20232025 the leading pathways continue to be Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Applicants for other economic class pathways include IRCC pilot programs, the Atlantic Immigration Program and Quebec skilled worker programs, which all require a language test approved by IRCC.

It is notable that IRCC measures the language proficiency of candidates in terms of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) and have set a standard achievement mark in order to qualify. The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) for example requires candidates to obtain a CLB of at least 7 in all four language abilities: writing, reading, listening and speaking. The minimum requirement for other programs is CLB 4.

IRCC does not have a preferred test. All are valued

February 2022, co-chaired by Reyes and Lloyd Axworthy, to recommend improvements to Manitoba immigration policies and programs. The council’s report is now complete and includes input from every corner of the province.

“The Manitoba government would like to thank Dr. Axworthy and the IAC for its hard work and dedication reviewing the entire continuum of immigration and for providing recommendations to improve our immigration programs and policies,” said Reyes.

Both the MPNP and the IAC will help inform ongoing efforts to enhance provincial immigration equally, and participants can choose the version that they find most convenient. The results must be within the past two years or 24 months to be valid.

All three English language tests measure the same four abilities of language proficiency. If you don’t like the results in one test you can try a different version to improve them. Currently, CELPIP and IELTS offer both General and Academic versions of their tests. PTE is slightly different with three versions of the test: PTE Academic, General and Young Learners. It is important to remember to prepare for any of the tests. You should study and do practice tests. In order to achieve the best score, you need to prepare and set a high standard for yourself. It is not enough to make the minimum but rather always to aim higher.

IRCC will continue to measure outcomes in terms of Canadian Language Benchmarks from 4 (poor) to 10 (excellent) and assessment outcomes are always measured in points. The programs and policies to meet labour market shortages and strengthen Manitoba’s present and future economic development prospects, the minister noted.

MPNP highlights for 2022 include:

• Manitoba’s top regional immigration destinations for provincial nominees were Neepawa, Brandon, Steinbach, Morden, Winkler, and Thompson.

• The top occupations for nominees included transport truck drivers, food-service supervisors, food-counter attendants, cooks, and industrial butchers and meat cutters.

In 2022, immigrant landings higher you score, the greater your likelihood of being invited to apply. First you must meet the minimum requirement and if it is CLB 4 then you must score at least 4 in writing, reading, listening, and speaking. If you score lower, you are not eligible and if you score more you increases your chances of selection.

Not all applicants are measured by their language abilities. Family and refugee class immigrants do not need to complete a language test since they are admitted to Canada for social and humanitarian reasons. However, all applicants for Canadian citizenship between the ages of 18 and 54 need to demonstrate their English or French language competency. They may submit the results of an approved language test to demonstrate their language proficiency. Temporary foreign workers and international foreign students also must demonstrate that they have sufficient language skills to do the job in Canada or compete with Canadian students were the highest since the MPNP’s establishment in 1998. Up to November 2022, over 21,000 immigrants had declared Manitoba as their intended destination in Canada, with nearly 14,000 arriving through the MPNP.

The Manitoba government has also formally requested the federal department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to approve a significantly larger MPNP nomination allocation for 2023 to better address labour market needs and skill shortages. A response is expected to be received by the end of March, the minister noted.

The minister highlighted the at institutions of higher learning. Language testing is here to stay because newcomers to the country require English and/ or French language skills to integrate and progress in the country. It does not matter if the applicants meet the bar in PTE, or IELTS or CELPIP for English or TEF or TCF in French. What matters is that they integrate and add to the economic wealth of the country. We need immigration to progress, but we need newcomers who add value, cultural, social or economic value to the country. Watch for more information about the PTE. It is here to stay. upcoming recruitment mission to the Philippines as a way to pave the way for hundreds of qualified internationally educated nurses to move and work here, saying it aligns with one of the report’s recommendations to be proactive and competitive in recruiting skilled workers with the strong professional credentials needed to support Manitoba’s economy.

Michael Scott is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC, R525678) who has 30 years of experience with Immigration Canada and the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. He currently works as a licensed consultant with Immigration Connexion International Ltd. Contact him at 204-691-1166 or 204-2270292. E-mail: mscott.ici@gmail. com.

To read the IAC report, visit: https://immigratemanitoba.com/ iac/.

For more information on the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, visit: https:// immigratemanitoba.com/.

Source: Manitoba Government