Expression of Interest (EOI) and Canada’s Immigration System

1. Expression of Interest (EOI) and Canada’s Immigration System Settlement and Integration Joint Policy and Program Council (SIJPPC) May 1, 2013 Ottawa

2. Overview of Presentation • Describe the Expression of Interest (EOI) immigration application management system under development for Canada: • Context for change • What EOI is and isn’t • Planned scope for Phase I • Provide a status update on the EOI initiative since November 2012 and key milestones on the horizon

3. Immigration system transformation already well underway Leveraging IT GCMS roll-out e-Applications e-Medical Process innovation Centralized intake Network leveraging Risk tiering & triaging Updated policies and authorities Ministerial Instructions FSW, CEC, FSTP Backlog elimination “Economic Action Plan 2013 confirms the Government’s intention to create a new and innovative ‘Expression of Interest’ immigration management system. It will allow for Canadian employers, provinces and territories to select skilled immigrants from a pool of applicants that best meet Canada’s economic needs.”

4. EOI: Moving from Supply- to Demand-Driven Economic Immigration • EOI is an application intake management system characterized by an automated pre-screening of prospective applicants for permanent residence. • An EOI approach removes the obligation to process all interested candidates • Canada can select the best, not necessarily the first in line • Intake of applications better aligned to processing capacity and levels targets • The EOI model offers more choice, flexibility and precision in skilled immigrant selection: • Creation of a pool of candidates who meet needs in a range of sectors/skill levels • Employers and provinces and territories have the option to consider EOI candidates • Faster processing times (months not years) maintains our competitiveness internationally • EOI is not an immigration program nor the panacea for addressing all system challenges • EOI candidates invited to apply will be subject to IRPA eligibility and admissibility provisions • A staged approach is being taken for EOI implementation - not all system irritants and challenges can be conquered in Phase I

5. Two stages for prospective immigrants in an EOI context: EOI & APR ITA 2. Application for PR • 1. Expression of Interest • Candidate completes online • EOI form. Information provided includes: • occupation & work experience • assessed language & education • region(s) of desired destination • job offer (if applicable) • Candidate’s submission is ranked. • Candidates may be considered / nominated by employers and Provinces and Territories. • Based on criteria, candidates might be drawn from EOI pool and invited to apply • for a permanent resident visa. • EOI candidate submits application for PR visa with supporting documentation. • The applicant’s visa application and supporting documents are assessed against IRPA requirements. • If approved, the applicant is issued a visa.

6. Phase I Scope • Presently, the federal programs considered for Phase 1 (for which EOI will be a required pre-application stage) are: • Federal Skilled Worker Program • Federal Skilled Trades Class • Canadian Experience Class • In addition, optional participation is envisioned for: • Provinces and territories – seeking Provincial Nominees • Employers – as a means to find candidates for skilled employment and permanent residence

7. Key Lessons Learned from New Zealand and Australia • It takes time to develop and implement: • Australia has been laying the groundwork for Skill Select (launched in July 2012) since 2007 • Subject of a number of Cabinet presentations and a May 2011 Budget announcement • Importance of user-friendly systems: • Both Australia and New Zealand have seen clients struggle with certain aspects of on-line process, in particular certain questions they had not anticipated would be misunderstood. Underscores importance of client targeted testing before going live. • Once EOI is launched, further refinements will be required: • New Zealand’s experience shows the need for flexibility and mid-stream adjustments to achieve best results • Since 2003, New Zealand has made changes, e.g., to its points test and occupations lists, reflecting labour market developments and research on outcomes

8. EOI project status update • Conclusion of first round of employer consultations (November 2012) • Summary Report available: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/pub/eoi-summary-report.pdf • Launch of Employer Technical Reference Group (February 2013)  • Meetings and site visits with EOI experts in Australia and New Zealand (March 2013) • Budget 2013 confirmation of GOC commitment to EOI approach (March 2013) • FPT EOI WG meeting to articulate Phase I scope and key design elements for FPT DMs (April 2013)

9. Next Steps for EOI: • Phase I refinements: how EOI will work at launch and what is required to get there e.g., • Policy – means by which candidates will be invited to apply • Systems – defining business requirements for the EOI systems build • Legislative requirements - creating in IRPA an “expression of interest” pre-application stage • Further consultations and communications • Next wave of employer consultations • Engaging OGDs and other stakeholders • Continued work at the FPT EOI working group table • Preparing for next Cabinet presentation (targeting late Fall 2013)

10. Questions? Rosanne MacKay Deputy Director Strategic Policy and Planning Rosanne.Mackay@cic.gc.ca