An important new
objective for Quebec was introduced: to preserve
Quebec(s) demographic weight within Canada and to integrate
immigrants to the province in a manner that respects the
distinct society of Quebec. This objective was to be
achieved primarily by Quebec(s) formal role in advising about
the number of immigrants it wishes to receive, the attempt to
ensure numbers of immigrants proportional to the population of
the province, and Quebec(s) assumption of all integration
services, with a particular emphasis on providing permanent
residents with the means to learn the French
language.
Canada remains
responsible for national standards and objectives relating to
immigration, the admission of all immigrants and the admission
and control of visitors. Admission in relation to
immigrants means the application of the criteria relating to
criminality, security and health, in addition to the
administrative processing of applications and physical
admission to Canada at ports of entry. Quebec is
responsible for the selection, reception and integration of
immigrants to Quebec. Canada commits itself not to admit
any independent immigrant or refugee into Quebec who does not
meet Quebec(s) selection criteria (except for adjudicating
refugee claims from within the country).
Who qualifies for
permanent residence under the Economic class?
(Skilled worker class, Quebec skilled worker class,
provincial nominee class, entrepreneur class, investor class,
self-employed persons class)
The Federal skilled worker class
is primarily point based and confers permanent resident status
upon applicants who are able to demonstrate an ability to
become economically established in Canada. Applicants are
assessed under 6 factors and numerous sub factors of
assessment providing for 100 points. Individuals with at least
one year of continuous full-time employment experience, or the
equivalent in part-time employment in one or more “open”
occupations, within the 10 years preceding the date of their
application and who possess the required settlement funding,
may qualify for assessment. Applicants who do not meet the
applicable pass mark may be accepted under the positive
discretion provisions of the regulations. This mechanism is
used to accept a number of applicants who will be able to
successfully settle in Canada yet who do meet the applicable
pass mark.
Under the Quebec skilled worker class and the Provincial
nominee class, applicants may become permanent residents on
the basis of their proven ability to become economically
established in Canada, in accordance with immigration programs
and selection criteria administered by Quebec or the
provinces.
The Investor class is point
based and confers permanent residence to applicants who
demonstrate an ability to become economically established in
Canada on the basis of their business or management experience
and high personal net worth. Approval is contingent upon the
investor undertaking to commit an irrevocable, passive,
non-interest bearing investment of $400,000 in a government
guaranteed investment fund.
A successful applicant is one who has a) managed a
qualifying business and has controlled a percentage of equity
of the qualifying business for at least two years in the
period beginning five years preceding the application or
managed at least five full-time job equivalents per year for
at least two years in the period beginning five years
preceding the application; b) possesses a personal net worth
of $800,000 and c) undertakes to invest $400,000 in a
government approved investment fund.
The Entrepreneur class is point
based and confers permanent residence to applicants who
demonstrate an ability to become economically established in
Canada on the basis of their business experience and personal
net worth. Approval is contingent upon the entrepreneur
undertaking to invest and become active in the management of a
qualifying business operated in Canada that will contribute to
the economy and create employment.
A successful applicant is one who has a) managed a
qualifying business and has controlled a percentage of equity
of the qualifying business for at least two years in the
period beginning five years preceding the application; b)
possesses a personal net worth of $300,000 and c) undertakes
to control a percentage of the equity of a qualifying Canadian
business and provide active and ongoing management of the
qualifying Canadian business that will create at least one
incremental full-time job for Canadian citizens or permanent
residents, other than the entrepreneur and their family
members. This condition must be fulfilled for a period of one
year within the period of three years after the day on which
the entrepreneur becomes a permanent resident.
The Self-Employed class refers
to applicants who have the intention and the ability to create
their own employment and make a significant contribution to
the cultural, artistic or athletic life of Canada, or to
create their own employment by purchasing and managing a farm
in Canada.
A successful applicant is one who has at least two years of
experience in the period beginning five years before the date
of the application and ending on the day a determination is
made on the application, in self-employment in cultural
activities or in athletics; participation at a world-class
level in cultural activities or athletics; or farm management
experience.
To qualify, the applicant must demonstrate a sufficient
financial net worth which, although less than an entrepreneur
and not specified in the regulations, should enable the
applicant to be self-employed in Canada and make a significant
contribution to specified economic activities in Canada and to
meet the initial settlement requirements for the applicant and
accompanying dependants.
Immigration Service Center
International
Lawyers & Immigration Solicitors 
