New Pilot Program to Enhance Canadian Work Permit Processing for Filipinos

Oct. 20

The Canadian federal government has recently unveiled the CAN Work Philippines initiative, aiming to bolster the work permit process for Filipinos. This new pilot program, spearheaded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) at its Manila visa office, aspires to facilitate and expedite work permit procedures for Canadian employers interested in hiring talent from the Philippines.

Key Features of CAN Work Philippines:

Canadian employers can participate in this program if they intend to employ around 50 or more workers from the Philippines, especially from pivotal sectors such as health care, agri-food, and construction,
Employers wishing to join must strictly adhere to the ethical recruitment guidelines set forth by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
IRCC has allocated $200,000 to IOM to assist in the adoption of these ethical standards in the Philippines. This monetary assistance will also enable the IOM to foster collaboration with the Philippine Government, facilitate vital training, and propagate its Fair and Ethical Recruitment Due Diligence Toolkit among organizations looking to tap into the talent reservoir of the Philippines.

Voices of Authority:

Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship of Canada, accentuated the indispensable contribution of foreign workers, particularly Filipinos, to Canada's economic framework. He expressed optimism that the CAN Work Philippines initiative would bolster Canada's stature in the global talent race, simultaneously reinforcing its allegiance to ethical recruitment.

Tristan Burnett of IOM Philippines applauded the bilateral efforts of the two nations in instituting and promoting fair recruitment norms, pivotal for upholding the rights of Filipino overseas workers. Similarly, Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne M. Caunan lauded this collaboration, emphasizing the mutual trust and partnership between the two countries.

A Glimpse into the Filipino Diaspora in Canada:

The 2021 Census data highlights that approximately 960,000 individuals of Philippine descent reside in Canada. Impressively, Filipino nationals rank high among the major recipients of Canadian work permits. Statistics from the first half of 2023 reveal that a staggering 10% of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program work permits were granted to Filipinos.

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