Yesterday, the Government of Canada made two significant announcements on enhancements to immigration programs.
 
New Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP)
The federal government is expanding the Economic Mobility Pathways Program pilot with a new pathway for tourism and hospitality workers. Starting this summer, refugees and other displaced people can use the EMPP to connect with in-demand job openings. Read the release here. 
 
Extensions to Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP)
The government has extended temporary measures introduced during the pandemic for hardest-hit sectors to October 30, 2023. Including:

• permitting employers in with demonstrated labour shortages (including accommodation and food services) to hire up to 30 per cent of their workforce through the TFWP for low-wage positions;
• keeping the Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) validity period at up to 18 months; and,
• maintaining the maximum duration of employment for low-wage positions at up to two years.

 Read the release here.

Yesterday in the Legislature, Estimate debates were held for the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. The ministry operations come in at $176,229,000, which includes a $1 million increase in support for Destination BC.

Destination Vancouver modelling shows demand poised to exceed supply as early as 2026

Vancouver, BC|06 MARCH 2023—To close the gap between current supply and projected demand, 20,000 new hotel rooms are needed in Metro Vancouver by 2050; with 10,000 of those new hotel rooms necessary just in Vancouver.

Private sector employers will be required to publicly post reports on their gender pay gap and adopt other changes under pay transparency legislation introduced today by the Honourable Katrine Conroy, Minister of Finance. As of Nov.1 this year, all employers will be required to include wage or salary ranges on all publicly advertised jobs.​