Ottawa, Ontario, December 13, 2006
PRESENT: The Honourable Mr. Justice Beaudry
BETWEEN:
and
AND IMMIGRATION
REASONS FOR JUDGMENT AND JUDGMENT
[1] This is an application for judicial review pursuant to subsection 72(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, S.C. 2001, c. 27 (the Act), of a decision by Ms. Nora Egan, Designated Immigration Officer (the Visa Officer), dated May 26, 2006, in which it was found that the Applicant does not have sufficient points to meet the requirements to obtain a permanent resident visa as a member of the Federal Skilled Worker Class.
ISSUES
[2] Did the Visa Officer make a patently unreasonable decision in deciding that the Applicant did not obtain sufficient points to qualify as a member of the federal skilled worker class?
[3] For the following reasons, the answer to the question is positive. As a result, the application for judicial review shall be allowed.
BACKGROUND
[4] The Applicant was born on February 3, 1970, and is a citizen of India. He is a Sikh Priest who performs religious duties as Chief Priest (Granthi) of Siri Guru Nank Sikh Gurdwara of Alberta, a Sikh Temple in Edmonton, since his arrival in Canada on July 27, 2000.
[5] The Applicant remained in Canada as a visitor. His immigration Visitor record is set out as follows:
a. Visitor visa: 26/06/2000 – 23/12/2000
b. Visitor visa: 23/05/2002 – 23/05/2003
c. Visitor visa: 09/06/2003 – 08/06/2004
d. Visitor visa: 26/07/2004 – 26/07/2005
e. Visitor visa: 11/08/2005 – 23/05/2006
f. Visitor visa: 25/06/2006 – 23/05/2007
[6] The Applicant applied for a permanent resident visa as a Priest, under the Federal Skilled Worker Class in 2002; this application was rejected on March 10, 2004. This decision noted that the Applicant did not obtain sufficient points to qualify for immigration to Canada. In that unsuccessful application, H.D. Watson, Consul, assigned 12 points for official language proficiency and 21 points for experience.
[7] The Applicant reapplied in August 2004 and was again unsuccessful. In her decision dated May 26, 2006, N.M. Egan assigned lower points of 8 and 12 points for these two factors of official language proficiency and experience respectively. It is the inconsistency in these two decisions and the awarding of lower points in these areas especially that go to the heart of the present judicial review.
[8] For ease of reference, the Applicant’s points for both 2004 and 2006 are set out in the table below according to each of the six selection criteria:
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National Occupational Classification (NOC) Code: 4154 (Priest) |
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Points assessed: March 10, 2004 May 26, 2006 |
Maximum |
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Age |
10 10 |
10 |
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Education |
15 25 |
25 |
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Experience |
21 17 |
21 |
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Arranged Employment |
0 0 |
10 |
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Official Language Proficiency |
12 8 |
24 |
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Adaptability |
0 |
10 |
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Total |
58 60 (Not 63 as stated in original) |
100 |
DECISION UNDER REVIEW
[9] Following an assessment of the information presented, the Visa Officer in the 2006 decision, determined that the Applicant had accumulated insufficient points to qualify to become a permanent resident, the minimum requirement being 67 points. Further, the Visa Officer was not satisfied that the Applicant would be able to become economically established in Canada, as a result of which his application was refused.
[10] In addition to the application form, the Visa Officer based the assessment on the following documentary evidence:
a. Computer Assisted Immigration programming System (CAIPS) Notes;
b. Overseas Processing Manual (OP Manual), Chapter 6, which describes the processing of applications for permanent resident visas under the Federal Skilled Worker Class;
c. letters of reference and pay stubs provided by the Applicant to verify two years of experience in Canada.
[11] The Visa Officer reached the following conclusions:
a. the Applicant did not have a work permit authorizing him to work in Canada and the Applicant’s Visitor Record was only valid until May 23, 2006;
b. the Applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate four years of work experience in Canada. However, the Visa Officer was satisfied that the Applicant had two years work experience in Canada, as a result of which he was awarded 17 points;
c. the Applicant provided proof of employment, however, since he did not have a work permit authorizing him to work in Canada or met the conditions outlined in section 82 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, SOR/2002-227 (the “Regulations”), the Visa Officer did not award him points for the criteria of Arranged Employment;
d. the Applicant did not meet the requirements for the Adaptability criteria as set out in section 83 of the Regulations;
e. the Applicant failed to provide language test results for his International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and his Test d’Évaluation en Français (TEP). The Visa Officer was not convinced that the Applicant had a high ability in the English language and awarded him eight points on the Official Language Proficiency factor; and
f. the total points assessed did not meet the pass mark under the Regulations.
PERTINENT LEGISLATION
[12] The provisions governing the Federal Skilled Worker Class are set out in sections 75 to 85 of the Regulations. Moreover, these sections make reference to other sections that are relevant to the consideration of this application. Because of the length of these provisions, they are attached to these reasons as Appendix “A”.
ANALYSIS
Standard of Review
[13] I must first determine the standard of review applicable to the decision of the Visa Officer when considering an application for permanent residence in the Federal Skilled Worker class. The jurisprudence of this Court was divided on this issue (Shaker v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), 2006 FC 185, [2006] F.C.J. No 201 (F.C.T.D.) (QL)), but I agree that the matter has now been determined by this Court and affirmed by the Federal Court of Appeal and the appropriate standard of review for the discretionary decisions of a Visa Officer is that of patent unreasonableness. I rely in particular on the following passage of Mr. Justice Linden in Postolati v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), 2003 FCT 251, [2003] F.C.J. No. 345 (F.C.T.D.) (QL), at paragraph 10:
Our jurisprudence has consistently held that courts must be deferential to discretionary decisions of Visa Officers. For example, in Maple Lodge Farms Limited v. Government of Canada et al., [1982] 2 S.C.R. 2 and To v. Canada, [1996] F.C.J. No. 696 (F.C.A.) support the principle that courts should not interfere with a Visa Officer's statutory discretion that has been exercised in good faith and in accordance with the principles of natural justice and where reliance has not been placed upon irrelevant or extraneous considerations.
Issue Estoppel
[14] The Applicant submits that the Visa Officer was estopped from awarding no less than 12 points for official language proficiency and 21 points for experience in view of the decision on these issues in the 2004 decision. Counsel argues that it is illogical and patently unreasonable for the Visa Officer to award fewer points in these two areas. The Applicant’s experience and skill cannot have deteriorated in those two years. Moreover, had the Visa Officer awarded these same points as in 2004, the Applicant would have accumulated the required 67 points.
[15] Counsel for the Respondent rejects the notion that the principles of res judicata are applicable to the facts of this case. First, neither the present Visa Officer nor the Applicant was an adversarial party, presenting opposing positions to an independent decision-maker for determination. Second, the present Visa Officer was not a party to the earlier decision. Rather her role was to assess the fresh application based on the evidence provided.
[16] The Respondent also relies on the statutory source of the Visa Officer’s mandate. Section 11 of the Act requires that an examining officer assess each applicant for admissibility and determine if the Applicant meets the requirements based on the information before it. It would be counterintuitive to therefore fetter the discretion of the Visa Officer and cause him or her to proceed with an assessment that did not follow the dictates of the statute. It is therefore necessary to assess each application on its merits irregardless of what may have transpired in a previous application (Baluyut v. Canada (Minister of Employment and Immigration), [1992] F.C.J. No 717 (F.C.T.D.) (QL)). As a result, counsel for the Respondent argues the Visa Officer was under no obligation to follow the previous Visa Officer’s decision.
[17] The leading case on issue estoppel is Danyluk v. Ainsworth Technologies Inc., 2001 SCC 44, [2001] S.C.R. 460.
[18] The Applicant advances that since the 2004 decision awarded certain points for official language proficiency and experience, the Visa Officer making the subsequent assessment in 2006 is estopped in the sense that the officer cannot give a lower number of points for these two matters since there could hardly have been a regression in both areas during the ensuing two-year period.
[19] I find three major problems with this argument. First, while the same issues, such as each of the criteria of age, education, experience, arranged employment, official language proficiency and adaptability would necessarily be the same, the circumstances change and the Visa Officer is required to assess each application as a fresh matter, independent of prior determinations (Baluyut, above). Second, while the Visa Officers are the same in this case, the decisions in 2004 and 2006 were made by different Visa Officers. As such, and although it is possible to argue that as the Minister’s representative, they are one and the same, they are unique individuals who were called upon at a certain time and space to consider the Applicant’s submissions in support of his separate applications for permanent resident visa.
[20] Finally, the parties were not adversarial. The Applicant was not pitted against either Visa Officer, such that the one was the adversary of the other(s) – on the contrary. The Act and the Regulations pertaining to the federal skilled worker class is not adversarial but rather inquisitorial. The task of the Visa Officer is to inquire into the merits of each fresh application; and having assessed the facts and the evidence provided, award points based on the requirements of the Regulations. As such, I find that the factors for issue estoppel are not present in this case.
Work Permit
[21] While the Visa Officer was not estopped with respect to the 2004 decision, the statute does provide that certain professions, such as clergy do not require a work permit. Moreover, the Applicant’s visas for Visitor visa contained the following remarks in the fine print:
Visitor visa: 26/06/2000 – 23/12/2000
REMARKS: NONE
Visitor visa: 23 MAY 2003 – 23 MAY 2003
REMARKS: SECOND EXTENSION OF VISITOR STATUS. 4712/HL
Visitor visa: 09 JUN 2003 – 08 JUN 2004
REMARKS: AUTHORIZED TO PERFORM RELIGIOUS DUTIES FOR SIRI GURU NANAK SIKH GURDWARA OF EDMONTON. AAT/H*
Visitor visa: 26 JUL 2004 – 26 JUL 2005
REMARKS: AUTHORIZED TO PERFORM RELIGIOUS DUTIES FOR SIRI NANAK SIKH GURDWARA OD EDMONTON.
Visitor visa: 11 AUG 2005 – 23 MAY 2006
REMARKS: TEMPORARY RESIDENT STATUS MAINTAINED AS PER R183(6)..PER R186(L) AUTHORIZED TO PERFORM RELIGIOUS DUTIES ATSIRI GURU NANAK SIKH GURDWARA OF ALBERTA, EDMONTON.. PASSPORT EXPIRES 23 MAY 2006 & MUST BE RENEWED FOR FURTHER EXTENSIONS..LD- D*.
Visitor visa: 25 MAY 2006 – 23 MAY 2007
REMARKS: AUTHORIZED TO PERFORM RELIGIOUS DUTIES SIRI GURU NANAK SIKH GURDWARA OF ALBERTA, EDMONTON. F- AE**
[22] The meaning of these remarks on the Applicant’s visa extensions bears noting. In particular, for the Visitor Visa dated 11 AUG 2005 – 23 MAY 2006, in other words for the relevant period of the present application, it is instructive to note the reference to subsection 186(l) of the Regulations, which states as follows:
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No permit required 186. A foreign national may work in Canada without a work permit [. . .] (l) as a person who is responsible for assisting a congregation or group in the achievement of its spiritual goals and whose main duties are to preach doctrine, perform functions related to gatherings of the congregation or group or provide spiritual counselling;
[. . .] |
Permis non exigé 186. L’étranger peut travailler au Canada sans permis de travail : [. . .] l) à titre de personne chargée d’aider une communauté ou un groupe à atteindre ses objectifs spirituels et dont les fonctions consistent principalement à prêcher une doctrine, à exercer des fonctions relatives aux rencontres de cette communauté ou de ce groupe ou à donner des conseils d’ordre spirituel; [. . .] |
[23] This implies that the Visa Officer has ignored relevant information that is material to the assessment of the visa application. I believe that had the Visa Officer considered this key information, it would have been clear that the Applicant is exempt from the requirement of a work permit. The Applicant was authorized to perform religious services as a clergy in a profession that is exempt from the work permit and as such, the Visa Officer erred in her assessment and the award of points to the Applicant as this would, among others affect the following factors: experience and adaptability.
[24] It is also to be noted that the evidence provided by the Applicant by way of a letter of December 12, 2005, demonstrates that the latter had five years of experience and not two as given by the Visa Officer.
[25] Neither party has put forth a question for certification.
JUDGMENT
THE COURT ORDERS that
1) The application is granted and the matter is sent back for reassessment before a different Visa Officer.
2) No question is certified.
APPENDIX “A”
1. The provisions governing the Federal Skilled Worker Class are set out in sections 75 to 85 of the Regulations. Below are the relevant portions of these sections pertaining to the contested factors of Proficiency in the official languages; Experience; Arranged Employment and Adaptability:
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Selection criteria 76. (1) For the purpose of determining whether a skilled worker, as a member of the federal skilled worker class, will be able to become economically established in Canada, they must be assessed on the basis of the following criteria: (a) the skilled worker must be awarded not less than the minimum number of required points referred to in subsection (2) on the basis of the following factors, namely, [. . .] (ii) proficiency in the official languages of Canada, in accordance with section 79, (iii) experience, in accordance with section 80, [. . .] (v) arranged employment, in accordance with section 82,
(vi) adaptability, in accordance with section 83; and [. . .] (b) the skilled worker must [. . .] (ii) be awarded the number of points referred to in subsection 82(2) for arranged employment in Canada within the meaning of subsection 82(1).
Proficiency in English and French (20 points)
79. (1) A skilled worker must specify in their application for a permanent resident visa which of English or French is to be considered their first official language in Canada and which is to be considered their second official language in Canada and must (a) have their proficiency in those languages assessed by an organization or institution designated under subsection (3); or (b) provide other evidence in writing of their proficiency in those languages.
Points (24 points) (2) Assessment points for proficiency in the official languages of Canada shall be awarded up to a maximum of 24 points based on the benchmarks referred to in Canadian Language Benchmarks 2000 for the English language and Standards linguistiques Canadiens 2002 for the French language, as follows: (a) for the ability to speak, listen, read or write with high proficiency (i) in the first official language, 4 points for each of those abilities if the skilled worker's proficiency corresponds to a benchmark of 8 or higher, and
[. . .] (b) for the ability to speak, listen, read or write with moderate proficiency (i) in the first official language, 2 points for each of those abilities if the skilled worker's proficiency corresponds to a benchmark of 6 or 7, and [. . .] (c) for the ability to speak, listen, read or write
(i) with basic proficiency in either official language, 1 point for each of those abilities, up to a maximum of 2 points, if the skilled worker's proficiency corresponds to a benchmark of 4 or 5, and (ii) with no proficiency in either official language, 0 points if the skilled worker's proficiency corresponds to a benchmark of 3 or lower.
Designated organization (3) The Minister may designate organizations or institutions to assess language proficiency for the purposes of this section and shall, for the purpose of correlating the results of such an assessment by a particular designated organization or institution with the benchmarks referred to in subsection (2), establish the minimum test result required to be awarded for each ability and each level of proficiency in the course of an assessment of language proficiency by that organization or institution in order to meet those benchmarks.
Conclusive evidence (4) The results of an assessment of the language proficiency of a skilled worker by a designated organization or institution and the correlation of those results with the benchmarks in accordance with subsection (3) are conclusive evidence of the skilled worker's proficiency in the official languages of Canada for the purposes of subsections (1) and 76(1).
Experience (21 points) 80. (1) Up to a maximum of 21 points shall be awarded to a skilled worker for full-time work experience, or the full-time equivalent for part-time work experience, within the 10 years preceding the date of their application, as follows:
(a) for one year of work experience, 15 points; (b) for two years of work experience, 17 points; (c) for three years of work experience, 19 points; and (d) for four or more years of work experience, 21 points.
Listed occupation (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), points are awarded for work experience in occupations, other than a restricted occupation, that are listed in Skill Type 0 Management Occupations or Skill Level A or B of the National Occupational Classification matrix.
Occupational experience (3) For the purposes of subsection (1), a skilled worker is considered to have experience in an occupation, regardless of whether they meet the occupation's employment requirements of the occupation as set out in the occupational descriptions of the National Occupational Classification, if they performed
(a) the actions described in the lead statement for the occupation as set out in the National Occupational Classification; and
(b) at least a substantial number of the main duties of the occupation as set out in the occupational descriptions of the National Occupational Classification, including all the essential duties.
Definition — arranged employment 82. (1) In this section, “arranged employment” means an offer of indeterminate employment in Canada.
Arranged employment (10 points) (2) Ten points shall be awarded to a skilled worker for arranged employment in Canada in an occupation that is listed in Skill Type 0 Management Occupations or Skill Level A or B of the National Occupational Classification matrix if they are able to perform and are likely to accept and carry out the employment and
(a) the skilled worker is in Canada and holds a work permit and
(i) there has been a determination by an officer under section 203 that the performance of the employment by the skilled worker would be likely to result in a neutral or positive effect on the labour market in Canada, (ii) the skilled worker is currently working in that employment, (iii) the work permit is valid at the time an application is made by the skilled worker for a permanent resident visa as well as at the time the permanent resident visa, if any, is issued to the skilled worker, and (iv) the employer has made an offer to employ the skilled worker on an indeterminate basis once the permanent resident visa is issued to the skilled worker; (b) the skilled worker is in Canada and holds a work permit referred to in paragraph 204(a) or 205(a) or subparagraph 205(c)(ii) and the circumstances referred to in subparagraphs (a)(ii) to (iv) apply; (c) the skilled worker does not intend to work in Canada before being issued a permanent resident visa and does not hold a work permit and
(i) the employer has made an offer to employ the skilled worker on an indeterminate basis once the permanent resident visa is issued to the skilled worker, and (ii) an officer has approved that offer of employment based on an opinion provided to the officer by the Department of Human Resources Development at the request of the employer or an officer that
(A) the offer of employment is genuine, (B) the employment is not part-time or seasonal employment, and (C) the wages offered to the skilled worker are consistent with the prevailing wage rate for the occupation and the working conditions meet generally accepted Canadian standards; or (d) the skilled worker holds a work permit and
(i) the circumstances referred to in subparagraphs (a)(i) to (iv) and paragraph (b) do not apply, and (ii) the circumstances referred to in subparagraphs (c)(i) and (ii) apply.
Adaptability (10 points)
83. (1) A maximum of 10 points for adaptability shall be awarded to a skilled worker on the basis of any combination of the following elements:
(a) for the educational credentials of the skilled worker's accompanying spouse or accompanying common-law partner, 3, 4 or 5 points determined in accordance with subsection (2); (b) for any previous period of study in Canada by the skilled worker or the skilled worker's spouse or common-law partner, 5 points; (c) for any previous period of work in Canada by the skilled worker or the skilled worker's spouse or common-law partner, 5 points; (d) for being related to a person living in Canada who is described in subsection (5), 5 points; and (e) for being awarded points for arranged employment in Canada under subsection 82(2), 5 points.
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Critères de sélection 76. (1) Les critères ci-après indiquent que le travailleur qualifié peut réussir son établissement économique au Canada à titre de membre de la catégorie des travailleurs qualifiés (fédéral) :
a) le travailleur qualifié accumule le nombre minimum de points visé au paragraphe (2), au titre des facteurs suivants :
[. . .] (ii) la compétence dans les langues officielles du Canada, aux termes de l’article 79, (iii) l’expérience, aux termes de l’article 80, [. . .] (v) l’exercice d’un emploi réservé, aux termes de l’article 82,
(vi) la capacité d’adaptation, aux termes de l’article 83; [. . .] b) le travailleur qualifié : [. . .] (ii) soit s’est vu attribuer le nombre de points prévu au paragraphe 82(2) pour un emploi réservé au Canada au sens du paragraphe 82(1).
Compétence en français et en anglais (20 points)
79. (1) Le travailleur qualifié indique dans sa demande de visa de résident permanent la langue — français ou anglais — qui doit être considérée comme sa première langue officielle au Canada et celle qui doit être considérée comme sa deuxième langue officielle au Canada et : a) soit fait évaluer ses compétences dans ces langues par une institution ou organisation désignée aux termes du paragraphe (3); b) soit fournit une autre preuve écrite de sa compétence dans ces langues.
Points (2) Un maximum de 24 points d’appréciation sont attribués pour la compétence du travailleur qualifié dans les langues officielles du Canada d’après les standards prévus dans les Standards linguistiques canadiens 2002, pour le français, et dans le Canadian Language Benchmarks 2000, pour l’anglais, et selon la grille suivante : a) pour l’aptitude à parler, à écouter, à lire ou à écrire à un niveau de compétence élevé : (i) dans la première langue officielle, 4 points pour chaque aptitude si les compétences du travailleur qualifié correspondent au moins à un niveau 8, [. . .] b) pour les capacités à parler, à écouter, à lire ou à écrire à un niveau de compétence moyen : (i) dans la première langue officielle, 2 points pour chaque aptitude si les compétences du travailleur qualifié corres-pondent aux niveaux 6 ou 7, [. . .] c) pour l’aptitude à parler, à écouter, à lire ou à écrire chacune des langues officielles : (i) à un niveau de compétence de base faible, 1 point par aptitude, à concurrence de 2 points, si les compétences du travailleur qualifié correspondent aux niveaux 4 ou 5, (ii) à un niveau de compétence de base nul, 0 point si les compétences du travailleur qualifié correspondent à un niveau 3 ou à un niveau inférieur.
Organisme désigné (3) Le ministre peut désigner les institutions ou organisations chargées d’évaluer la compétence linguistique pour l’application du présent article et, en vue d’établir des équivalences entre les résultats de l’évaluation fournis par une institution ou organisation désignée et les standards mentionnés au paragraphe (2), il fixe le résultat de test minimal qui doit être attribué pour chaque aptitude et chaque niveau de compétence lors de l’évaluation de la compétence linguistique par cette institution ou organisation pour satisfaire à ces standards. Preuve concluante (4) Les résultats de l’examen de langue administré par une institution ou organisation désignée et les équivalences établies en vertu du paragraphe (3) constituent une preuve concluante de la compétence du travailleur qualifié dans les langues officielles du Canada pour l’application des paragraphes (1) et 76(1).
Expérience (21 points) 80. (1) Un maximum de 21 points d’appréciation sont attribués au travailleur qualifié en fonction du nombre d’années d’expérience de travail à temps plein, ou l’équivalent temps plein du nombre d’années d’expérience de travail à temps partiel, au cours des dix années qui ont précédé la date de présentation de la demande, selon la grille suivante : a) pour une année de travail, 15 points; b) pour deux années de travail, 17 points; c) pour trois années de travail, 19 points; d) pour quatre années de travail, 21 points.
Profession ou métier (2) Pour l’application du paragraphe (1), des points sont attribués au travailleur qualifié à l’égard de l’expérience de travail dans toute profession ou tout métier appartenant aux genre de compétence 0 Gestion ou niveaux de compétences A ou B de la matrice de la Classification nationale des professions — exception faite des professions d’accès limité.
Expérience professionnelle (3) Pour l’application du paragraphe (1), le travailleur qualifié, indépendamment du fait qu’il satisfait ou non aux conditions d’accès établies à l’égard d’une profession ou d’un métier dans la Classification nationale des professions est considéré comme ayant acquis de l’expérience dans la profession ou le métier : a) s’il a accompli l’ensemble des tâches figurant dans l’énoncé principal établi pour la profession ou le métier dans les descriptions des professions de cette classification; b) s’il a exercé une partie appréciable des fonctions principales de la profession ou du métier figurant dans les descriptions des professions de cette classification, notamment toutes les fonctions essentielles.
Définition : emploi réservé
82. (1) Pour l’application du présent article, constitue un emploi réservé toute offre d’emploi au Canada à durée indéterminée. Emploi réservé (10 points)
(2) Dix points sont attribués au travailleur qualifié pour un emploi réservé appartenant aux genre de compétence 0 Gestion ou niveaux de compétences A ou B de la matrice de la Classification nationale des professions, s’il est en mesure d’exercer les fonctions de l’emploi et s’il est vraisemblable qu’il acceptera de les exercer, et que l’un des alinéas suivants s’applique : a) le travailleur qualifié se trouve au Canada, il est titulaire d’un permis de travail et les conditions suivantes sont réunies : (i) l’agent a conclu, au titre de l’article 203, que l’exécution du travail par le travailleur qualifié est susceptible d’entraîner des effets positifs ou neutres sur le marché du travail canadien,
(ii) le travailleur qualifié occupe actuellement cet emploi réservé,
(iii) le permis de travail est valide au moment de la présentation de la demande de visa de résident permanent et au moment de la délivrance du visa de résident permanent, le cas échéant, (iv) l’employeur a présenté au travailleur qualifié une offre d’emploi d’une durée indéterminée sous réserve de la délivrance du visa de résident permanent; b) le travailleur qualifié se trouve au Canada, il est titulaire du permis de travail visé aux alinéas 204a) ou 205a) ou au sous-alinéa 205c)(ii) et les conditions visées aux sous-alinéas a)(ii) à (iv) sont réunies;
c) le travailleur qualifié n’a pas l’intention de travailler au Canada avant qu’un visa de résident permanent ne lui soit octroyé, il n’est pas titulaire d’un permis de travail et les conditions suivantes sont réunies : (i) l’employeur a présenté au travailleur qualifié une offre d’emploi d’une durée indéterminée sous réserve de la délivrance du visa de résident permanent, (ii) un agent a approuvé cette offre sur le fondement d’un avis émis par le ministère du Développement des ressources humaines, à la demande de l’employeur, à sa demande ou à celle d’un autre agent, où il est affirmé que : (A) l’offre d’emploi est véritable, (B) l’emploi n’est pas saisonnier ou à temps partiel,
(C) la rémunération offerte au travailleur qualifié est conforme au taux de rémunération en vigueur pour la profession et les conditions de l’emploi satisfont aux normes canadiennes généralement acceptées; d) le travailleur qualifié est titulaire d’un permis de travail et, à la fois : (i) les conditions visées aux sous-alinéas a)(i) à (iv) et à l’alinéa b) ne sont pas remplies,
(ii) les conditions visées aux sous-alinéas c)(i) et (ii) sont réunies.
Capacité d’adaptation (10 points) 83. (1) Un maximum de 10 points d’appréciation sont attribués au travailleur qualifié au titre de la capacité d’adaptation pour toute combinaison des éléments ci-après, selon le nombre indiqué : a) pour les diplômes de l’époux ou du conjoint de fait, 3, 4 ou 5 points conformément au paragraphe (2);
b) pour des études antérieures faites par le travailleur qualifié ou son époux ou conjoint de fait au Canada, 5 points;
c) pour du travail antérieur effectué par le travailleur qualifié ou son époux ou conjoint de fait au Canada, 5 points; d) pour la présence au Canada de l’une ou l’autre des personnes visées au paragraphe (5), 5 points; e) pour avoir obtenu des points pour un emploi réservé au Canada en vertu du paragraphe 82(2), 5 points. |
2. Section 82 refers to parts of sections 203 to 205. These are set out below:
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Effect on the labour market
203. (1) On application under Division 2 for a work permit made by a foreign national other than a foreign national referred to in subparagraphs 200(1)(c)(i) and (ii), an officer shall determine, on the basis of an opinion provided by the Department of Human Resources Development, if the job offer is genuine and if the employment of the foreign national is likely to have a neutral or positive effect on the labour market in Canada. Opinion on request (2) The Department of Human Resources Development shall provide the opinion referred to in subsection (1) on the request of an officer or an employer or group of employers. A request may be made in respect of (a) an offer of employment to a foreign national; and (b) offers of employment made, or anticipated to be made, by an employer or group of employers. Factors (3) An opinion provided by the Department of Human Resources Development shall be based on the following factors: (a) whether the employment of the foreign national is likely to result in direct job creation or job retention for Canadian citizens or permanent residents;
(b) whether the employment of the foreign national is likely to result in the creation or transfer of skills and knowledge for the benefit of Canadian citizens or permanent residents;
(c) whether the employment of the foreign national is likely to fill a labour shortage;
(d) whether the wages offered to the foreign national are consistent with the prevailing wage rate for the occupation and whether the working conditions meet generally accepted Canadian standards; (e) whether the employer has made, or has agreed to make, reasonable efforts to hire or train Canadian citizens or permanent residents; and (f) whether the employment of the foreign national is likely to adversely affect the settlement of any labour dispute in progress or the employment of any person involved in the dispute. International agreements 204. A work permit may be issued under section 200 to a foreign national who intends to perform work pursuant to
(a) an international agreement between Canada and one or more countries, other than an agreement concerning seasonal agricultural workers;
(b) an agreement entered into by one or more countries and by or on behalf of one or more provinces; or (c) an agreement entered into by the Minister with a province or group of provinces under subsection 8(1) of the Act.
Canadian interests 205. A work permit may be issued under section 200 to a foreign national who intends to perform work that
(a) would create or maintain significant social, cultural or economic benefits or opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent residents;
(b) would create or maintain reciprocal employment of Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada in other countries; (c) is designated by the Minister as being work that can be performed by a foreign national on the basis of the following criteria, namely, (i) the work is related to a research, educational or training program, or
(ii) limited access to the Canadian labour market is necessary for reasons of public policy relating to the competitiveness of Canada's academic institutions or economy; or (d) is of a religious or charitable nature. |
Effets sur le marché du travail 203. (1) Sur demande de permis de travail présentée conformément à la section 2 par un étranger, autre que celui visé à l’un des sous-alinéas 200(1)c)(i) et (ii), l’agent décide, en se fondant sur l’avis du ministère du Développement des ressources humaines, si l’offre d’emploi est authentique et si l’exécution du travail par l’étranger est susceptible d’avoir des effets positifs ou neutres sur le marché du travail canadien. Avis sur demande (2) Le ministère du Développement des ressources humaines fournit l’avis à la demande de tout employeur, groupe d’employeurs ou agent faite à l’égard :
a) soit de l’offre d’emploi présentée à l’étranger; b) soit d’offres d’emploi qu’un employeur ou un groupe d’employeurs a présentées ou envisage de présenter. Facteurs (3) Le ministère du Développement des ressources humaines fonde son avis sur les facteurs suivants :
a) l’exécution du travail par l’étranger est susceptible d’entraîner la création directe ou le maintien d’emplois pour des citoyens canadiens ou des résidents permanents; b) l’exécution du travail par l’étranger est susceptible d’entraîner le développement ou le transfert de compétences ou de connaissances au profit des citoyens canadiens ou des résidents permanents; c) l’exécution du travail par l’étranger est susceptible de résorber une pénurie de main-d’oeuvre; d) le salaire offert à l’étranger correspond aux taux de salaires courants pour cette profession et les conditions de travail qui lui sont offertes satisfont aux normes canadiennes généralement acceptées; e) l’employeur a fait ou accepté de faire des efforts raisonnables pour embaucher ou former des citoyens canadiens ou des résidents permanents; f) le travail de l’étranger est susceptible de nuire au règlement d’un conflit de travail en cours ou à l’emploi de toute personne touchée par ce conflit.
Accords internationaux 204. Un permis de travail peut être délivré à l’étranger en vertu de l’article 200 si le travail pour lequel le permis est demandé est visé par : a) un accord international conclu entre le Canada et un ou plusieurs pays, à l’exclusion d’un accord concernant les travailleurs agricoles saisonniers; b) un accord conclu entre un ou plusieurs pays et une ou plusieurs provinces, ou au nom de celles-ci; c) un accord conclu entre le ministre et une province ou un groupe de provinces en vertu du paragraphe 8(1) de la Loi.
Intérêts canadiens 205. Un permis de travail peut être délivré à l’étranger en vertu de l’article 200 si le travail pour lequel le permis est demandé satisfait à l’une ou l’autre des conditions suivantes : a) il permet de créer ou de conserver des débouchés ou des avantages sociaux, culturels ou économiques pour les citoyens canadiens ou les résidents permanents; b) il permet de créer ou de conserver l’emploi réciproque de citoyens canadiens ou de résidents permanents du Canada dans d’autres pays; c) il est désigné par le ministre comme travail pouvant être exercé par des étrangers, sur la base des critères suivants :
(i) le travail est lié à un programme de recherche, d’enseignement ou de formation, (ii) un accès limité au marché du travail au Canada est justifiable pour des raisons d’intérêt public en rapport avec la compétitivité des établissements universitaires ou de l’économie du Canada; d) il est d’ordre religieux ou charitable. |
3. The Regulations also permit foreign nationals to work in Canada without a work permit if they meet certain conditions, including that of clergy, as set out in the following provisions of the Regulations:
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No permit required 186. A foreign national may work in Canada without a work permit [. . .] (l) as a person who is responsible for assisting a congregation or group in the achievement of its spiritual goals and whose main duties are to preach doctrine, perform functions related to gatherings of the congregation or group or provide spiritual counselling; [. . .] |
Permis non exigé 186. L’étranger peut travailler au Canada sans permis de travail : [. . .] l) à titre de personne chargée d’aider une communauté ou un groupe à atteindre ses objectifs spirituels et dont les fonctions consistent principalement à prêcher une doctrine, à exercer des fonctions relatives aux rencontres de cette communauté ou de ce groupe ou à donner des conseils d’ordre spirituel; [. . .] |
FEDERAL COURT
NAME OF COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS OF RECORD
DOCKET: IMM-3200-06
STYLE OF CAUSE: ARVINDERJIT SINGH V.
MINISTER OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION
PLACE OF HEARING: Edmonton, Alberta
DATE OF HEARING: December 4, 2006
APPEARANCES:
Camille N. Audain FOR RESPONDENT
SOLICITORS OF RECORD:
Doherty Schuldhaus FOR APPLICANT
Edmonton, Alberta
John Sims, Q.C. FOR RESPONDENT
Deputy Attorney General of Canada
Edmonton, Alberta