After U.S. immigration ban, Mendicino says “Come to Canada”

Minister Mendicino has made numerous remarks since the start of the coronavirus crisis that Canada is still committed to welcoming immigrants, temporary foreign workers, and international students. (File photo: Marco Mendicino/Facebook)

“Come to Canada.”

That is the message to talent all over the world by Canada’s immigration minister Marco Mendicino following the permanent and temporary resident visa suspensions announced by the United States yesterday.

President Donald Trump signed a new Executive Order which will prevent new green card holders and temporary foreign workers from coming to the U.S. in 2020. Trump signed the order due to the belief it will help American workers who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic find employment.

Minister Mendicino has made numerous remarks since the start of the coronavirus crisis that Canada is still committed to welcoming immigrants, temporary foreign workers, and international students.

While Canada’s economy has also been weakened by the pandemic, Mendicino and the Canadian government believe that continuing to welcome immigrants will help the economy.

Mendicino re-iterated these views in a new television interview.

When asked about his thoughts on the immigration suspension in the U.S., Mendicino said that immigration will “spring Canada’s economic recovery.”

We have a plan in place that looks to leverage the best and the brightest from around the world. We’ve got pathways like the Express Entry program, and the Global Talent Stream, which will help to bring entrepreneurs, engineers, and innovators. We’ve also got pathways for manual laborers and skilled laborers.

Indeed, Canada continues to welcome new immigrants through Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and other permanent resident pathways during the pandemic. In addition, temporary foreign workers are largely exempt from Canada’s current travel restrictions and tech workers may enter Canada through temporary visa pathways such as the Global Talent Stream.

Prior to the pandemic, Canada was seeking to welcome another 341,000 new permanent residents in 2020 following the record-setting year it had in 2019.

Canada does not have targets in place for temporary foreign workers and international students.

In all, Canada offers over 100 combined permanent and temporary resident options to skilled workers that wish to pursue economic opportunity in the country.

Canada also offers various immigration streams to temporary foreign workers and international students who wish to transition to Canadian permanent residence status.