Irish Canadian Immigration Centre
44 Victoria Street Suite 1620 M5C 1Y2 Toronto, ON, Canada

Vancouver! Are you job-hunting? Looking for a career change in 2021? Join us for a FREE webinar this coming Thursday with tips for resumes, interview skills and other Vancouver resources. This webinar is targeted at assisting Irish community members with job searches and linking them with the Irish community in BC. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/vancouver-career-resources-tick

Feel at Home in Canada Living in Calgary? Check out the Irish Cultural Society of Calgary and become a member to stay connected to your community in Alberta! https://www.calgaryics.org/

Getting to know I/CAN Essential Guides Permanent Residency is a hot topic right now after the historic draw on Saturday! Have you read our Guide to Permanent Residency? If you are thinking about applying, make sure to read through our detailed Guide to get lots of helpful information on Express Entry!... http://www.irishcanadianimmigrationcentre.org//A-Guide-to-

Last chance to register! Join us tomorrow at 1PM for a FREE Employment Webinar with HR Specialist, Gerry O'Connor https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/prep-for-employment-recovery-po

Express Entry is a popular PR option. Did you know that you may also be eligible to apply for PR through the province in which you live and work? For those in Vancouver, the BCPNP (provincial nominations program) provides alternatives to EE. Every other week we bring you a tip on the BCPNP. Here is a tip for BCPNP Skills Immigration from our friend Niall Carry of Carry Immigration Services: Ensure your employer is eligible to support your application.... They must have a minimum 5 employees in Greater Vancouver or 3 outside of Vancouver. You must be an employeenot a sub-contractor. The employee must have taxes deducted. The company must be 1 year established in BC. The type of business licensing they hold must be incorporated or limited. https://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrat/BC-PNP-Skills-Immigration

New Year's Day LIVE workout from Coach Shane Rice Watch live at 10AM EST. On the west coast? Catch the video here whenever it suits you!

TOMORROW! Join National Social Care Advisor Mícheál for a unique one-off men’s group this Wednesday, Dec 30th to talk about the importance of connection & practical tips to cope with everyday challenges in life. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/lads-it-happens-to-us-all-ticke

There’s no place like home. When the time is right, Ireland will be rolling out the green carpet for you. To tide you over until you can return, Tourism Ireland are bringing you a little taste of home. Enter here for your chance to win an Irish goodie hamper https://bit.ly/37tDE44 Last day to enter contest: January 5th!

TWO DAYS TO GO! Join National Social Care Advisor Mícheál for a unique one-off men’s group this Wednesday, Dec 30th to talk about the importance of connection & practical tips to cope with everyday challenges in life. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/lads-it-happens-to-us-all-ticke

Join us for the last FB LIVE Yoga Class with Erin Loughnane in 2020! Wednesday, Dec 30th, 5PM EST (2PM PST, 3PM Mountains). See you there!

To support you and your family’s mental health during COVID-19, Wheretostart.ca and staff from EveryMind are offering free workshops and webinars for caregivers on a variety of topics, such as: Gaming and Internet challenges Parenting and youth substance use Promoting cooperation through connection and curiosity... Coping with COVID-19 anxiety Understanding and supporting stress in kids Supporting children and youth with anxiety, depression and/or OCD Caregiver self-care See a full list of upcoming webinars on their website: https://wheretostart.ca/webinars-for-caregivers/

It’s been a difficult year for many of us so keeping connected as the New Year approaches is more important than ever. This comprehensive resource guide put together by @CAMHnews summarizes #COVID19 #MentalHealth websites & apps to support you https://bit.ly/3pn5yVn

*Getting to know I/CAN Essential Guides* Are you in Canada on an IEC visa? Do you have questions about Canadian Taxes? Check out our FAQ Guide! https://bit.ly/35IQBGf

Entry Requirements for Ireland from our partners Aer Lingus https://www.aerlingus.com//covid19-information/entry-requ/

Express Entry is a popular PR option. Did you know that you may also be eligible to apply for PR through the province in which you live and work? For those in Vancouver, the BCPNP (provincial nominations program) provides alternatives to EE. Every other week we bring you a tip on the BCPNP. Tip for BCPNP Skills Immigration from our friend Niall Carry of Carry Immigration Services: Ensure that you meet the requirements of your selected NOC code.... Canada uses a National Occupation Classification Code system to determine the skill level of all jobs. The NOC is used in economic streams of immigration in Canada. Roles are defined by a 4-digit code and categorised as 0, A, B, C, or D 0, A, and B are classified as skilled NOC codes C and D are classified as Entry Level / Semi-Skilled Employment duties and requirements determine your NOC code. For example, NOC 1241 (B category) is the code used for admin assistants and is a skilled code. NOC 6513 Food and Beverage Server is a C code, one of just a few selected codes for the BC PNP Entry Level / Semi-Skilled streams. Your role must meet the lead statement of the NOC selected and you must be performing a significant amount of the duties listed. There are codes with specific requirements such as workers in trades (for example Carpenters 7271). You must demonstrate that your apprenticeship was completed with a trade certificate or was completed over 4 years of on-the-job experience. 2 years in carpentry only would not be enough to convince the officer assessing your case that you are in fact a carpenter and not merely a carpenter’s helper or labourer. Some NOC codes have specific licencing for that job, such as registered nurses, healthcare workers and other professionals. If the requirement of the NOC code states a particular licencing for the province you are in, you must prove this to be considered eligible to claim that NOC code. https://noc.esdc.gc.ca///4250e9565da449c8885e44611e673a0b https://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrat/BC-PNP-Skills-Immigration

North Bay unveils RNIP immigration stream, read more from IRCC here: https://www.cicnews.com//north-bay-unveils-rnip-immigratio

I/CAN are through to the final! VERY IMPORTANT: We are listed as IRISH CANADIAN IMMIGRATION CENTRE. There is another ICAN nominated (ICAN Education) but that is not us! Vote here: https://www.thestar.com//pro/subcategories/learning-centre... Thank you!

IRCC News! The Parents and Grandparents Program 2020 closes next week, read more here: https://www.cicnews.com//the-parents-and-grandparents-prog

Three days to go! Practical Strategies to Protect Mental Health- with Shane & Erin! FREE WEBINAR Saturday, 1PM EST In this week’s session we are excited to have Shane Rice fitness coach, Gillian Goulding, I/CAN’s Social Care Advisor in Vancouver & Erin Loughnane, I/CAN’s weekly Yoga Instructor. This will be an insightful look into the fundamental links between our physical and mental health, with some practical strategies to protect mental health.... Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/practical-strategies-to-protect See more

TOMORROW! Yoga with Erin 5PM EST FB LIVE!

*Employment Tip from HR Specialist, Gerry O'Connor* COVID 19 - WORKING FROM HOME - TAXATION CONSIDERATIONS. As the COVID-19 pandemic shifts employees from their offices to their homes, many employees are left wondering whether they will now be able to deduct home office expenses from their employment income in their 2020 tax return. The following observations are summarized from materials published by leading Canadian law firms and accounting and business advisory firms provi...ding audit, tax and advisory services. It provides a breakdown of what you need to know about eligible deductions and answers some commonly asked questions. Note that it is expected these rules and interpretations will continue to change. In the interim, your current personal taxation processes remain unchanged until you receive clarification from CRA and/or your employer. Follow the link for more info!

Vancouver! Are you job-hunting? Join us for the FREE webinar Thursday with tips for resumes, interview skills and other Vancouver resources. This webinar is targeted at assisting Irish community members with job searches and linking them with the Irish community in BC. 1PM PST... Register here on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/vancouver-career-resources-tick

Opens today at noon EDT!

*Employment Tip from HR Specialist, Gerry O'Connor* GETTING READY FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH Certain Canadian recruitment processes are different from recruitment processes in Ireland. It is important that you educate yourself about these differences before you start your search so that you do not lose an employment opportunity i.e. either before you arrive in Canada or immediately upon arrival or if you are re-entering the Canadian workforce during Covid. To help you, there are ex...cellent employment resource materials on the I/CAN website http://www.irishcanadianimmigrationcentre.org/ Essential Guides / Employment / Networking in Canada / Employment Preparation / Cover Letter & Resume Preparation & Templates. See also the Covid-19 section / Employment during Covid-19. If you follow these guidelines, your chances of finding a long-term career opportunity will increase. See more

@ONgov have recently announced additional funding to help expand access for critical #MentalHealth & #Addiction support during #COVID19 & as part of the roadmap to wellness plan, the money will go to supporting urgent gaps in care in the community https://bit.ly/30PQwO0

Happy Thanksgiving from I/CAN!

Stay-tuned for event and registration info!

Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay and over the past week during ‘Mental Illness Awareness Week’ and the @CAMIMH_ACMMSM campaign brought to you the faces of recovery as they shared their experiences. Recovery is possible and together, we can prevent suicide https://www.camimh.ca/faces-campaign/ #MentalHealth #MIAW2020 #notsuicidenottoday

Are you thinking about returning to Ireland during Covid-19? Safe Home Ireland are an excellent organization providing advice, information and housing assistance to people who are thinking of returning home. Find out more about Safe Home Ireland here: https://safehomeireland.com/

Mental and physical health are fundamentally linked. Developing a connection between mind and body is one of the best ways to reduce stress! Don't miss out on our free live sessions with Shane Rice and Erin Loughnan every week!

Do you want to sponsor your parents and grandparents for permanent residence? Here is what you need to know.

*Feel at home in Canada* Have you started a family in Canada? Our Vancouver Social Care Advisor chats with a parent about the experience of having children in your new country and combating the loneliness that comes with it. Check out the full podcast here: https://soundcloud.com//new-parents-and-the-immigrant-expe

Voting ends on Sunday! VERY IMPORTANT: We are listed as IRISH CANADIAN IMMIGRATION CENTRE. There is another ICAN nominated (ICAN Education) but that is not us! Vote here: https://bit.ly/3nv1fah Thank you!

Message from our partners, Aer Lingus! Check out the Aer Lingus Flash Sale from the East Coast to Ireland. Fares start from $299* roundtrip for travel Jan 11 May 31, 2021. Book your next trip with confidence with fares that offer more flexibility and confidence and choice. Sale ends Midnight October 9th. *roundtrip including air transportation taxes and fees, restrictions apply.

ONE HOUR TO GO! Tune into our Facebook as 12PM EST as we go LIVE with Coach Shane Rice!

IRCC News! "The federal government has released entry requirements for extended family members and people travelling to Canada for compassionate reasons."

*Getting to know I/CAN Essential Guides* Have you checked out our most recent guide for families? "Finding Childcare in Toronto and Vancouver: First Person Testimonials from parents." ... Thank you to all the parents who shared their tips on finding Childcare. Would you like to add tips for your city? Email [email protected] Read our guide here: http://www.irishcanadianimmigrationcentre.org//Finding-Chi

On #WorldMentalHealthDay Oct 10 the @WHO put together a panel of experts for the first time ever, to host a global online advocacy event on mental health. At this event world leaders, experts & celebrity guests will be in attendance. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear what we can all do to improve our mental health https://bit.ly/3d2pTdS