Canadian HR Reporter

CANADIAN HR REPORTER December 12, 2016 2 NEWS Recent stories posted on www.hrreporter.com. Check the website daily for quick news hits from across Canada and around the world. WEB O N T H E ACROSS CANADA Federal government advised against federal ban on replacement workers Said ban could increase frequency, duration of work stoppages Manitoba premier may be eyeing more than wage freeze: Professor Says Pallister probably wants to ensure any crackdown survives court challenge Woman who accused author Steven Galloway of sexual assault breaks silence Says inquiry into investigation not needed, labour arbitration in March will suffice Unions demand Postmedia executives reject $2.3 million in bonuses Accepting extra money while urging volunteer buyouts, layoffs called 'absolute disgrace' Manitoba Liberals want to have weight discrimination in human rights code Say people being passed over for job promotions, surgery Retail sector employment to hit multi-year low in 2016: Report Companies adopting technology, trimming costs in response to weak growth in consumer spending Suit claims bullying, sex assault of Forces women 'Frequent misconduct part of troubling, deeply embedded culture' AROUND THE WORLD Short turnaround between shifts may increase sick leave: Study European workers entitled to minimum 11 hours of daily rest Judge blocks Obama rule extending overtime pay to 4.2 million U.S. workers Legislation dubbed unlawful Over 1 in 5 Brazilians jobless or underemployed in recession Young workers hit hardest Oprah Winfrey Network staffer accuses company of pregnancy discrimination Supervisor asked invasive questions, humiliated employee, plaintiff alleges Financial wellness e second of three videos featuring highlights from a roundtable on financial wellness, hosted by Canadian HR Reporter hrreporter.com FEATURED VIDEO 1.866.599.2720 Enhance your employee benefit program with CAREpath's employee health care navigation services ISO 9001 Quality Management System R e g i s t e r e d C o m p a n y www.carepath.ca CAREpath is a division of Bayshore HealthCare, a leading provider of home and community health care services. As a Canadian- owned company, Bayshore has been enhancing the quality of life, well-being, dignity and independence of Canadians since 1966. Cancer Assistance Program Our naviga on provides individualized case management for all types and stages of cancer and is delivered by a highly experienced team of specialists. Seniors Care Assistance Program Connec ng your employees and their parents to a registered nurse who can navigate and recommend services and support for seniors. We can help your employees get the right information about health care for their specific needs. Give us a call today! New Express Entry rules eliminate 'pain points': Expert Changes around points allocated for job offers, education BY JOHN DUJAY AN EASIER and more balanced Express Entry system will elimi- nate some of the "pain points" that permeated the old system, ac- cording to an immigration expert. "The government has heard from employers that this was a challenge and it's tried to look at making a correction to make it easier for employers to fill their labour market shortages," said Beth Clarke, director of employer programs at the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC). First established by the fed- eral government on Jan. 1, 2015, Express Entry was supposed to provide a fast-track to entry for foreign knowledge workers. e program is used to manage appli- cations for permanent residence under the Federal Skilled Work- er Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Cana- dian Experience Class. Provinces and territories can also recruit candidates from the Express Entry system through Provincial Nominee Programs to meet local labour market needs. "We have committed to doing more to attract highly skilled im- migrants to come to Canada and become permanent residents, because this is important to build our economy and strengthen our society," said John McCallum, minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship. e changes, which took effect Nov. 19, were meant to provide "a more fair and responsive im- migration system that will ad- dress emerging needs and ensure long-term economic growth for the middle class," said the govern- ment. "e changes will help bet- ter attract some of the best minds in the world, including former in- ternational students, experienced professionals and talented work- ers who will strengthen Canada's competitiveness in the global marketplace." Job offer details On the job offer side, the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) previously awarded 600 points for a job that was per- manent and supported by a La- bour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Now, the points awarded for a job offer will change in three ways: •Points are awarded for job of- fers of eligible candidates here on LMIA-exempt work per- mits: Many people in Canada temporarily on an employer specific LMIA-exempt work permit, but who want to stay in Canada permanently, will no longer need to get an LMIA to be awarded job offer points. is includes candidates who are here under the North America Free Trade Agreement, a federal- provincial agreement, Mobilité Francophone, or who are intra- company transferees. e candi- dates must meet certain criteria, such as having at least one year of work experience from the same employer providing the job offer. •Job offers will only need to be a minimum of one year in dura- tion once people receive per- manent residence: Changing the job offer requirement from permanent to one year means more highly skilled candidates working in contract-based in- dustries will have a higher likeli- hood of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence, said the government. •Points awarded for job offers will be reduced: A total of 50 points will be awarded to can- didates with a valid job offer in a National Occupational Clas- sification (NOC) 0, A or B oc- cupation, while 200 points will be awarded to candidates with a valid job offer in a NOC 00 oc- cupation. e number of points awarded often made it hard for highly skilled candidates without job offers to get an invitation to apply, said the government. is change means Canada will now welcome more highly skilled candidates and will better rec- ognize the skills and experience required for the job, together with the value it brings to the economy. Before, the program allowed candidates to earn a maximum of 1,200 points, so those who were attached to an LMIA were given POINTS > pg. 3 "e changes will help better attract some of the best minds in the world, including experienced professionals." Credit: Chris Wattie (Reuters) Immigration minister John McCallum says the federal government is doing more to try and attract highly skilled immigrants to Canada, as well as have them become permanent residents.

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