Canada

Where to find your cultural community in Canada

Ashish / May 2, 2024

Finding others who share their social and cultural background can be a major factor for many immigrants to Canada when deciding where to settle. Fortunately, Canada’s emphasis on diversity and culture mean that immigrants from all over the world can probably find fellow members of their community there. The most populated communities in Canada are profiled here, along with information on notable ethnic groups, birthplace, immigration status, official languages spoken, and linguistic proficiency. The biggest cities in every province have been selected, and information from the Canadian National Census of 2021 has been gathered. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration Definitions This page cites Statistics Canada’s “list of ethnic or cultural origins 2021” (which includes detailed definitions) for ethnic origins. Regarding immigration status, this article makes reference to: “Immigrants” are those who are recent arrivals in Canada who have been granted permanent residence (PR) status and/or those who have obtained Canadian citizenship through naturalization; “Non-immigrants,” denoting those who are citizens of Canada by virtue of their birth; and “Non-permanent residents” are foreign nationals who are granted temporary residency in Canada, usually through a work or study permit. Toronto The largest city and metropolitan area in both the province of Ontario and all of Canada is Toronto. Toronto had a population of about 2.7 million as of 2021. Status of Immigration The people who live in Toronto are: 48.2% or 1.39 million non-immigrants; 1.28 million newcomers (46.6%); additionally Non-permanent residents: 145,240 (5.35%). Language proficiency Toronto’s population spoke the following languages: English (2.6 million speakers); French (238,505 speakers); Mandarin (162,950 speakers); Spanish (138,770 speakers); Tagalog (135,600 speakers); Yue (Cantonese) (134,810 speakers); Hindi (107,170 speakers); Italian (84,335 speakers); Portuguese (80,170 speakers); and Tamil (77,785 speakers). Breakdown of official languages spoken Of Canada’s official languages, residents of Toronto spoke: English only (2.4 million speakers); English and French (236,915 speakers); and French only (2,555 speakers). Ethnic and cultural breakdown Of Toronto’s population: 1.13 million people were of ethnic European origin; 1.13 million people were of ethnic Asian origin; 248,260 people were of ethnic North American origin; 212,030 people were of “other ethnic and cultural” origin; and 172,560 people were of ethnic African origin. Montréal Montréal is the largest metropolis in the province of Quebec and the second most populous city in Canada. Additionally, it is North America’s largest francophone metropolis. 1.76 million people called Montréal home as of the 2021 census. Status of Immigration Montréal’s population consists of: 1.01 million non-immigrants (59%); 576,120 immigrants (33.4%); and 129,780 non-permanent residents (7.5%). Knowledge of languages Montréal’s population spoke the following languages: French (1.47 million speakers); English (1.21 million speakers); Spanish (177,230 speakers); Arabic (173,385 speakers); Italian (95,535 speakers); Haitian Creole (66,445 speakers); Mandarin (41,405 speakers); Portuguese (28,835 speakers); and Vietnamese (24,550 speakers). Breakdown of official languages spoken Of Canada’s official languages, residents of Montréal spoke: English and French (1.01 million speakers); French only (473,490 speakers); English only (207,690 speakers); and Neither English nor French (41,975 speakers). Ethnic or cultural breakdown Of Montréal’s population: 684,765 people were of ethnic European origin; 419,860 people were of ethnic North American origin; 307,525 people were of ethnic Asian origin; 230,025 people were of ethnic African origin; and 136,480 people were of “other ethnic and cultural” origin. Calgary The largest city in Alberta and one of the fastest-growing in the country is Calgary. Calgary was named the most livable city in Canada and tied with Zurich, Switzerland, for third place among all cities in 2022. Calgary had 1.3 million residents in 2021. Immigrant Status Calgary’s population consists of: 834,100 non-immigrants (64.6%); 430,640 immigrants (33.3%); and 27,030 non-permanent residents (2.1%). Knowledge of languages Calgary’s population spoke the following languages: English (1.25 million speakers); French (86,135 speakers); Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (66,720 speakers); Punjabi (61,025 speakers); Spanish (54,235 speakers); Mandarin (45,330 speakers); Hindi (42,160 speakers); Yue (Cantonese) (42,090 speakers); Arabic (33,325 speakers); and Urdu (29,980 speakers). Breakdown of official languages spoken Of Canada’s official languages, residents of Calgary spoke: English only (1.17 million speakers); English and French (85,360 speakers); and French only (825 speakers). Ethnic and cultural breakdown Of Calgary’s population: 665,085 people were of ethnic European origin; 403,980 people were of ethnic Asian origin; 207,060 people were of ethnic North American origin; 78,555 people were of “other ethnic and cultural” origin; and 74,410 people were of ethnic African origin. Winnipeg The province of Manitoba’s capital and largest city is Winnipeg. The city is a rapidly expanding urban area in the prairie region of Canada. Winnipeg had 749,607 residents as of 2021. Status of Immigration The population of Winnipeg is made up of: 68.6% or 505,525 non-immigrants; 27,3% of immigrants, or 201,045; and 30,095 (4.1%) non-permanent inhabitants. Language proficiency The following languages were spoken by people in Winnipeg: English (723,085 speakers); French (72,665 speakers); Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (64,325 speakers); Punjabi (39,215 speakers); Spanish (15,660 speakers); Mandarin (15,160 speakers); German (12,425 speakers); Arabic (9,335 speakers); Russian (8,645 speakers); and Ukranian (8,620 speakers). Breakdown of official languages spoken Of Canada’s official languages, residents of Winnipeg spoke: English only (656,965 speakers); English and French (71,700 speakers); and French only (1,225 speakers). Ethnic and cultural breakdown Of Winnipeg’s population: 401,865 people were of ethnic European origin; 193,135 people were of ethnic Asian origin; 156,025 people were of ethnic North American origin; 54,455 people were of “other ethnic and cultural” origin; and 37,290 people were of ethnic African origin. Vancouver The largest city in British Columbia is Vancouver, which is also one of the three largest metropolitan areas in Canada along with Toronto and Montreal. There were 662,248 people living in Vancouver as of the 2021 census. Status of Immigration The population of Vancouver is made up of: 333,190 non-immigrants (51.2%); 274,360 immigrants (42.2%); and 42,830 non-permanent residents (6.6%). Knowledge of languages Toronto’s population spoke the following languages: English (612,215 speakers); Yue (Cantonese) (96,960 speakers); Mandarin (74,960 speakers); French (60,990 speakers); Spanish (36,500 speakers); Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (30,430 speakers); Punjabi (19,130 speakers); Hindi (15,025 speakers); Vietnamese (14,905 speakers); and Japanese (12,075 speakers). Breakdown of official languages spoken

Canada, NEWS

In what ways might a modification to my NOC affect my PR application?

Ashish / May 1, 2024

On rare occasions, applicants for permanent residency (PR) in Canada may first submit an application under one National Occupation Classification (NOC) code, then change it at a later stage of their immigration process. For instance, a candidate may submit an application for permanent residence in Canada via one of the 11 Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) that are overseen by Canada or through one of the Express Entry-managed programs. Let’s take the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), or PNP, as an illustration. We will specifically examine this scenario through the use of a fictitious applicant who was selected through a tech draw. Under a tech draw, the OINP sent this candidate, Lincoln, a software engineer, a Notification of Interest* (NOI). Discover your options to study in Canada *Notably, Ontario refers to the invitation sent by the OINP as a “NOI,” signifying that the province is extending an invitation to the chosen candidate to make an application for a provincial nomination. After submitting his expression of interest to the federal Express Entry pool, Lincoln was issued his NOI. Using an Enhanced PNP, the provincial government sent the candidate a notice of intent (NOI) after looking over his profile in the federal Express Entry pool. Lincoln was granted a NOI due to his compliance with the OINP tech draw specifications, which included obtaining a primary NOC code from the list of occupations that the OINP targeted. Lincoln has until now to submit an application to the Ontario government for his provincial nomination. In order to accomplish this, he will need to give the Ontario government supporting documentation for the NOC code he claimed, such as reference letters. To enable the province to confirm that the employment duties and responsibilities of the applicant match the NOC (Software Developers and Programmers) listed in his federal Express Entry profile, reference letters from each company should be received (NOC 21232). Furthermore, NOC codes are five-digit numbers that are intended to “classify and categorize occupations for immigration purposes.” Discover more about the Government of Canada’s NOC 2021 system by visiting this dedicated webpage. You can also use this tool to locate your own NOC. What happens if my NOC changes at the provincial level while I’m going through the immigration process? The evaluation of the candidate’s supporting documentation determines whether or not the employment function and responsibilities correspond appropriately with a NOC that is included in the targeted professions list of the province or territory. The results of this evaluation will determine what occurs next, particularly if the provincial or territory government finds that a candidate’s declared NOC is in conflict with the duties and obligations of their position. Note: We’ll use Lincoln, our fictitious candidate, as an example again in the following. First hypothetical scenario: Lincoln’s application listed NOC 21232 (Software Developers and Programmers). The Ontario government, however, determined that his position more closely matched NOC 21234, Web Developers and Programmers. Hypothetical 2: The Ontario government determined that the job applicant’s work more closely matched NOC 22220, Computer Network and Web Technicians, even though his application listed NOC 21232, Software Developers and Programmers. In the first case, despite the fact that Lincoln’s profession does not correspond with his declared NOC, his application can still be approved because the Ontario government has included his evaluated NOC in its list of targeted occupations for tech draws. In this instance, the OINP will get in touch with the client and ask for more details. In the second situation, Lincoln will not be considered eligible for a provincial nomination through the OINP since his evaluated NOC is not on Ontario’s targeted occupations list. We will not accept his application. If my primary NOC differs from the one I used when I first applied at the provincial level, what should I do? Before submitting their application for a provincial nomination, candidates may decide not to proceed with their application as it will be rejected as non-eligible if they discover that their primary NOC has changed and is no longer listed as a targeted NOC. If this NOC change is discovered after the application has been submitted, or if the application is submitted in spite of this revelation, the applicant may try to withdraw it, but they would probably forfeit the processing fees for their provincial nomination application. Problems with the federal government’s modified NOCs A candidate’s application for PR with the federal government may be affected by a change in NOC following the successful receipt of a provincial nomination from Ontario. Note: Candidates whose provincial nomination is based on a NOC must continue to hold the same NOC for their principal occupation as when they first applied to the province. Candidates for provincial nominations specific to a NOC who change their primary NOC code at the federal level risk having their application rejected for not meeting the eligibility requirements associated with their candidacy. What’s the deal with my NOC code? Understanding the significance of NOC codes in general can help you better grasp how an altered NOC may affect your application. To put it briefly, NOC codes play a significant role in determining a candidate’s eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) through Express Entry, Canada’s application management system. FSWP Candidates must meet the minimum requirements for FSWP eligibility in addition to other requirements, which include at least one year of continuous, skilled, full-time or equivalent part-time employment at a paid rate in the same NOC (primary NOC). *This work experience must fit into one of the NOC’s Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) areas in order to qualify: TEER 1, TEER 2, or TEER 3 CEC Candidates must achieve the minimum requirements for CEC eligibility, in addition to other program requirements, by having at least one year of paid, full-time or comparable part-time, skilled work experience* in Canada during the previous three years. Keep in mind that work experience obtained while enrolled in classes does not apply

Canada, NEWS

How to be ready for the interview for Canadian immigration

Ashish / April 29, 2024

An interview with an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officer is required of a certain percentage of new immigrants who apply for permanent residency (PR) each year in order to support their application. These interviews, which are frequently the last in the application procedure, can be crucial in proving to the immigration department that a candidate is qualified for permanent residence status in Canada. The reasons for perhaps needing an interview, what to expect, and successful interview techniques will all be covered in the following. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration Why does the IRCC interview people? The decision to ask applicants for an interview is primarily left up to the individual IRCC officials. Such requests are typically made in order to assist with the verification of data related to a citizenship or permanent resident application. Verification of information may be required for employment experience, personal background, language proficiency, intention to immigrate to Canada, or even just to confirm applicants’ identities. Interviews are frequently held for family sponsorship applications in order to ascertain the relationship between the lead applicant and any dependents, as well as the sincerity of any spousal, conjugal, or common-law relationships. Interviews may also center on information that was provided in an application but was either missing or insufficient, and the examining IRCC officer may not be persuaded that this information satisfies eligibility requirements. What are some recommended procedures for the IRCC interview that I should follow? The following are some recommended practices that CIC News has prepared for interviewees, based on information provided to IRCC officers on conducting interviews: Examine your application in detail. Examining their applications and pertinent documentation in advance will help interviewees prepare fully, just as the IRCC officer does. Incomplete or missing information in an application is one of the areas that interviewers prefer to focus on, therefore applicants would be well to prepare for questions and queries regarding these aspects of their file. If it was not included in their initial application, newcomers may also offer additional supporting documents (though they should probably be ready to explain why such information was not initially submitted). Talk clearly Interviewees ought to make an effort to communicate clearly. They should make sure their responses are understandable by speaking slowly, clearly, and in plain language—avoid jargon. If interviewees need assistance or have any special requirements, officers are expected to provide accommodations for them during the interview process. To ensure a seamless experience, newcomers should thus make their needs known at the interview or beforehand. Interviewees ought to make an effort to stay serene and cool the entire time. Professionalism and competence may be communicated with ease through confident demeanor and body language. Be truthful. Although it should go without saying, interviewees should make sure their answers are truthful and in line with the data they submitted with their application. Officers of the IRCC will keep an eye out for material that seems inflated or fake. Honest and dependable responses show integrity and dependability. Importantly, misrepresentation (the willful submission of false information to IRCC as accurate) can have disastrous effects on an application for immigration, including losing PR status, being charged with a crime by IRCC, and being ineligible for Canadian immigration for at least five years. The biggest opportunity for success for newcomers will come from just providing all pertinent facts honestly. Finally, immigrants should understand that they may be found guilty of misrepresentation even if they are not aware of it and/or make a genuine error in the information they provide on their immigration application. This underlines once more how crucial it is to use caution when deciding what details to put in your immigration application. Handle issues calmly Interviewees should respond politely and productively to the interviewer’s concerns or difficult questions. Instead of taking offense, they ought to concentrate on offering explanations or clarifications as required. It is important for newcomers to remember that the interviewing immigration officer will ultimately determine whether they succeed or fail based on how well they can honestly verify that they fit all eligibility standards. As such, it is often wise to respond to any worries they may have in a composed and thoughtful way. Make inquiries and follow up as needed. If interviewees require any clarification or further information regarding the procedure or following stages, they should ask questions. Interviewees should feel free to ask questions and raise any issues they may have during the interview process; IRCC officials are trained to resolve any questions or concerns that newcomers may have. In a similar vein, candidates should, if necessary, follow up after the interview by giving more information or supporting paperwork or by waiting to hear from the interviewing authority. How can I obtain a waiver for an interview? Making ensuring that an immigration application has all necessary information and supporting documentation included at the time of submission is the best approach to obtain an interview waiver from the IRCC. An applicant’s likelihood of receiving an application waiver increases with completeness (however this can vary depending on the stream and immigration class that one applies through). Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

Where to find your cultural community in Canada

In what ways might a modification to my NOC affect my PR application?

How to be ready for the interview for Canadian immigration

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Canada

Where to find your cultural community in Canada

In what ways might a modification to my NOC affect my PR application?

How to be ready for the interview for Canadian immigration

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