2025 year became defining for development of immigration system of Canada. From one side, province Manitoba presented new instruments for business, directed at faster access to international staff and retention of already involved workers. From other side, federal government of Canada prepares to transform successful pilot Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) into permanent program, that will open new opportunities for refugees and displaced persons, who have professional skills. Both directions — provincial and federal — have common goal: to provide labour market with qualified workforce and to offer immigrants stable paths of integration.
New programs of Manitoba
Employer Direct Initiative (EDI)
Renewed stream Employer Direct Initiative became important instrument for companies, which have need in qualified workers. Thanks to updated criteria and simplified administrative procedures employers can attract foreign specialists without excessive bureaucratic delays.
This allows business faster to close vacancies in spheres, where is observed deficit of staff, and increases competitiveness of province.
EDI is especially useful for industries, that are characterized by seasonal fluctuations or acute shortage of workforce — from agrarian sector and processing industry to sphere of services. Program provides direct connection between employer and candidate, minimizing time between job offer and beginning of labour activity.
Temporary Resident Retention Pilot (TRRP)
New pilot program Temporary Resident Retention Pilot is directed at retention of those workers, who already are in Manitoba in status of temporary residents. This allows employers not only to attract new candidates, but also to keep those, who already adapted to labour process, demonstrated professional reliability and became part of local team.
TRRP increases level of stability on labour market, decreases expenses of business for repeated training of new workers and gives possibility to candidates to build more predictable trajectory of immigration.
For temporary residents this program opens perspective of long-term employment and gradual transition to status of permanent resident.
Federal level: transformation of EMPP into permanent program
Prerequisites
Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) was launched in 2018 as innovative mechanism of combining needs of Canadian employers with professional opportunities of refugees and displaced persons.
Program demonstrated effectiveness: as of March 2025 to Canada arrived 970 persons through this channel.
In 2023 Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) announced about plans to make EMPP permanent program, and according to Departmental Plan for 2025–2026 years, launch of new permanent initiative is expected before completion of current pilot (31 December 2025).
Federal EMPP
Federal EMPP has two key streams:
Stream | Main conditions | Annual quota |
With job offer | Full job offer from Canadian employer; at least 1 year of experience; compliance with requirements to education and language according to TEER category | 950 applications |
Without job offer | 1 year of experience in TEER 0–3 during last three years; high school diploma or equivalent; CLB 7 in all language skills; confirmation of availability of funds | 150 applications (temporarily closed) |
Participants of EMPP are given significant state support: exemption from paying fees, coverage of medical examinations and rights to permanent residence, assistance with resettlement and even compensation of travel expenses.
Regional EMPP
Through Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) or Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates can submit applications at level of provinces.
Requirements depend on jurisdiction, however usually include:
- full job offer;
- confirmed work experience;
- sufficient level of English or French language;
- corresponding education or professional training.
Within AIP simplified rules operate: not obligatory to provide educational evaluation or to confirm volume of working hours in certain period. Also available is loan for covering settlement funds.
Conclusions
Introduction of EDI and TRRP in Manitoba is strategic step for support of business and preservation of workforce, that already adapted in province.
At same time transformation of EMPP into permanent federal program demonstrates readiness of Canada to integrate qualified refugees and displaced persons into national economy.
For employers these programs create additional mechanisms of attraction and retention of workers, and for candidates — open real perspectives of long-term employment and obtaining status of permanent resident.
As result all sides win: business receives qualified workforce, immigrants — stability and protection, and Canada — strengthening of its economy and demographic balance.
