Last Updated On 8 July 2023, 9:36 AM EDT (Toronto Time)
IRCC sent out 5,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) in 4 different Express Entry draws this week with CRS cutoff score ranging from 439 to 511.
A good week for the profiles invited in these 4 Express Entry draws especially in Francophones and Healthcare targeted invitations, who were otherwise struck in pool with every time high CRS cutoff score in no program specified draws.
Express Entry draws 2023
It is an historical week for Express Entry with back-to-back draws from July 4 to July 7, 2023 and officially the introduction of new targeted draws.
This week is also unique as it has provided more clarity to applicants awaiting an ITA in the Express Entry pool.
In this article, we provide our observation and expectations for Express Entry applicants in the pool waiting for an invitation.
Total Number of Invitations Remains Same
We were expecting IRCC to keep up with total number of ITAs around 4,800 based on previous draw sizes.
It seems like IRCC has kept up with this total number by inviting overall 5,000 profiles this week.
IRCC has previously clarified that normal ‘no program specified draws’ will continue, but new targeted draws will be part of the invitations.
So based on this week’s number of ITAs, it seems like IRCC broke down the total invitations among ‘no program specified’, Healthcare, STEM, and Francophone profiles.
If there would have been no targeted draws at all, we could have seen around 4,800-5,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) going under ‘no program specified’ draws.
Moving forward we can see similar splitting up of ITAs in bi-weekly draws among different categories.
IRCC held ‘no program specified’ draw first and then declared the targeted draws in staggering manner.
Overall this could have benefitted the targeted draws on following days for STEM and healthcare occupations as well as Francophiles.
Although, IRCC is trying to be transparent, but we believe that with introduction of targeted Express Entry draws, more clarity is still needed.
First draw of this week was announced on July 4, 2023 and public data for CRS score distribution in the pool is updated on the same date.
However, they did not update the CRS score distribution in pool after 4th and it seems like IRCC might have only selected profiles depending on the available data as of July 4; even for the July 5, 6, or 7 targeted draws.
If you are one of the candidate who created an Express Entry profile after July 5 and still received the ITA in STEM, Healthcare, or Francophile draw, please contact us.
Anyhow, staggering pattern has developed this week with ‘no program specified’ draw on first day followed by occupation specific draw as well as for francophiles.
These 2 occupation-specific Express Entry draws will be seen more often as compared to rest of the targeted draws for Trades and Agriculture.
Furthermore, most of the Express Entry profiles among the occupation specific draw qualifies for STEM occupations followed by comparatively low number in healthcare.
We did a poll on our official Instagram account. Voting from our Instagram family says, around 65% users have experience in STEM occupations, while only 38% are qualifying for healthcare draws.
Although, this poll is only by our Instagram fam, but it clearly indicates to the significantly higher CRS score cutoff for STEM profiles as compared to healthcare.
There are comparatively more profiles in STEM as compared to any other targeted occupations sector.
Low CRS Cutoff For Rest of The Occupations
We predicted low CRS cutoff score for healthcare around 465, but it came at 463. So, our expectation was close.
Everyone is talking about STEM, Healthcare, & Francophiles this week, but our expectation is that IRCC will have to keep up with their commitment.
Truck drivers, Carpenters, Plumbers, Electricians, Butchers will be the most to benefit out of these.
In an Express Entry targeted draw for these 3 sectors, we expect CRS cutoff to remain lower than healthcare draws or even further lower than Francophone draws.
Overall, we always recommend our readers to create an Express Entry profile if they are eligible as IRCC is full of surprises.
But, if you have experience in one of the occupations listed below and you qualify for Express Entry, make your profile asap.
It is more likely that IRCC will be targeting these occupations as part of their selection criteria in upcoming targeted Express Entry draws.
Residential and commercial installers and servicers
73200
Elevator constructors and mechanics
72406
Machine fitters
72405
Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
72402
Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
72400
Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
72014
Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
93200
Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators
72604
Engineer officers, water transport
72603
Deck officers, water transport
72602
Air traffic controllers and related occupations
72601
Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors
72600
Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
72404
Railway carmen/women
72403
Managers in transportation
70020
Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services
82031
Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
82030
Conclusion
Previously, everyone was suggesting to work on improving your CRS score, but situation has now changed with introduction of targeted draws.
If you are in Express Entry pool just work toward gaining experience in one of 82 selected occupations as well as learning French to fall under targeted draws.
Try finding job or payroll (not legal, but most of applicants use this route) in one of these 82 select occupations to have a better chance of receiving an invitation.
Remember, all these occupations are also on priority list for most of the PNPs.
We often meet individuals claiming that they are doing best of their effort to get Canadian PR, but don’t want to learn French.
It is Canadian official language and yes, you can learn it as you learned English in first place to sit for IELTS.
Rather than spending your hard earned money around $30,000-40,000 on getting LMIAs or job offers, earn little less and devote some time to learn French.
With dedication, it will not take more than 6 months and your permanent residency (PR) is almost guaranteed.
Learning French can boost your score by 50 points plus these are the least CRS score requiring profiles to bag an ITA. Not to forget, bilinguals also have better job prospects.
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On July 7, IRCC announced the Francophile Express Entry lottery for candidates with a minimum level 7 proficiency in French. The minimum CRS score was 439.
On July 6, 2023, a targeted Express Entry draw for 35 healthcare occupations will issue 1,500 permanent residency invitations. The minimum CRS score was 463.
On 5 July 2023, IRCC sent only 500 invitations to register for 24 STEM occupations with a CRS score of 486 or higher.
On July 4, 2023 – No Program Specified Express Entry draw sent 700 invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates with a CRS score of 511 and at least six months of experience in one of the STEM occupations within the last three years.
TORONTO – Roots Corp. may have built its brand on all things comfy and cosy, but its CEO says activewear is now “really becoming a core part” of the brand.
The category, which at Roots spans leggings, tracksuits, sports bras and bike shorts, has seen such sustained double-digit growth that Meghan Roach plans to make it a key part of the business’ future.
“It’s an area … you will see us continue to expand upon,” she told analysts on a Friday call.
The Toronto-based retailer’s push into activewear has taken shape over many years and included several turns as the official designer and supplier of Team Canada’s Olympic uniform.
But consumers have had plenty of choice when it comes to workout gear and other apparel suited to their sporting needs. On top of the slew of athletic brands like Nike and Adidas, shoppers have also gravitated toward Lululemon Athletica Inc., Alo and Vuori, ramping up competition in the activewear category.
Roach feels Roots’ toehold in the category stems from the fit, feel and following its merchandise has cultivated.
“Our product really resonates with (shoppers) because you can wear it through multiple different use cases and occasions,” she said.
“We’ve been seeing customers come back again and again for some of these core products in our activewear collection.”
Her remarks came the same day as Roots revealed it lost $5.2 million in its latest quarter compared with a loss of $5.3 million in the same quarter last year.
The company said the second-quarter loss amounted to 13 cents per diluted share for the quarter ended Aug. 3, the same as a year earlier.
In presenting the results, Roach reminded analysts that the first half of the year is usually “seasonally small,” representing just 30 per cent of the company’s annual sales.
Sales for the second quarter totalled $47.7 million, down from $49.4 million in the same quarter last year.
The move lower came as direct-to-consumer sales amounted to $36.4 million, down from $37.1 million a year earlier, as comparable sales edged down 0.2 per cent.
The numbers reflect the fact that Roots continued to grapple with inventory challenges in the company’s Cooper fleece line that first cropped up in its previous quarter.
Roots recently began to use artificial intelligence to assist with daily inventory replenishments and said more tools helping with allocation will go live in the next quarter.
Beyond that time period, the company intends to keep exploring AI and renovate more of its stores.
It will also re-evaluate its design ranks.
Roots announced Friday that chief product officer Karuna Scheinfeld has stepped down.
Rather than fill the role, the company plans to hire senior level design talent with international experience in the outdoor and activewear sectors who will take on tasks previously done by the chief product officer.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, are set to resume today as a strike that has stopped most services drags into a second week.
No timeline has been set for the length of the negotiations, but Joe McCann, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they are willing to stay there as long as it takes, even if talks drag on all night.
About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people unable to navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last Tuesday, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.
Hundreds of drivers rallied outside TransLink’s head office earlier this week, calling for the transportation provider to intervene in the dispute with Transdev, which was contracted to oversee HandyDART service.
Transdev said earlier this week that it will provide a reply to the union’s latest proposal on Thursday.
A statement from the company said it “strongly believes” that their employees deserve fair wages, and that a fair contract “must balance the needs of their employees, clients and taxpayers.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.
MONTREAL – Travel company Transat AT Inc. reported a loss in its latest quarter compared with a profit a year earlier as its revenue edged lower.
The parent company of Air Transat says it lost $39.9 million or $1.03 per diluted share in its quarter ended July 31.
The result compared with a profit of $57.3 million or $1.49 per diluted share a year earlier.
Revenue in what was the company’s third quarter totalled $736.2 million, down from $746.3 million in the same quarter last year.
On an adjusted basis, Transat says it lost $1.10 per share in its latest quarter compared with an adjusted profit of $1.10 per share a year earlier.
Transat chief executive Annick Guérard says demand for leisure travel remains healthy, as evidenced by higher traffic, but consumers are increasingly price conscious given the current economic uncertainty.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.
