Introduction to the New SINP Pathways
The Government of Saskatchewan has launched two new pathways under the SINP, specifically targeting skilled workers in the healthcare and agriculture industries. These pathways aim to provide a streamlined route to permanent residency for qualified candidates while helping employers in these crucial sectors secure the workforce they need to sustain business growth.
Minister Harrison emphasised the importance of these pathways, noting that they are designed to address the labour shortages that are affecting the entire country. He also highlighted the province’s commitment to a streamlined credential recognition process, which will further support employers in these industries.
Agriculture Talent Pathway: Addressing Labour Shortages in a Vital Sector
The Agriculture Talent Pathway is a significant component of Saskatchewan’s efforts to bolster its agricultural industry, a sector that contributed over $3.2 billion in exports across four key crop sectors in 2023. This pathway targets 10 specific occupations within the agriculture sector, aiming to meet the increasing demand for skilled labour.
Agriculture Minister David Marit underscored the importance of a skilled and flexible agricultural workforce in maintaining Saskatchewan’s competitive edge in global food security. He noted that the pathway would help ensure that the province’s producers remain profitable and that the economy continues to grow.
Eligibility Criteria for the Agriculture Talent Pathway
To qualify for the Agriculture Talent Pathway, candidates must meet several requirements:
- Language Proficiency: A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 4 is required, though some employers may demand higher proficiency.
- Education: A minimum of secondary school education is mandatory.
- Work Experience: Candidates must have at least one year of full-time work experience in their intended occupation within the past three years, or six months of full-time work experience with the employer who provided a Job Approval Letter.
- Job Offer: A permanent, full-time job offer in Saskatchewan’s agricultural sector is required, along with a valid SINP Job Approval Letter.
Occupations Eligible for the Agriculture Talent Pathway
The Agriculture Talent Pathway targets the following 10 occupations:
| NOC | Description |
| 75101 | Material handlers* |
| 84120 | Specialised livestock workers and farm machinery operators |
| 85100 | Livestock labourers |
| 85101 | Harvesting labourers |
| 85103 | Nursery and greenhouse labourers |
| 94140 | Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing* |
| 94141 | Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers* |
| 94143 | Testers and graders, food and beverage processing* |
| 94204 | Mechanical assemblers and inspectors* |
| 95106 | Labourers in food and beverage processing* |
Health Talent Pathway: Strengthening Saskatchewan’s Healthcare System
The Health Talent Pathway is part of Saskatchewan’s Health Human Resources (HHR) action plan. This pathway is designed to attract skilled healthcare professionals to fill critical roles across up to 44 healthcare-related occupations. By consolidating healthcare recruitment efforts under a single stream within the SINP, this pathway seeks to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the province’s healthcare system.
Health Minister Everett Hindley highlighted the importance of the SINP in building a stronger healthcare system, noting that the new pathway would play a crucial role in addressing Saskatchewan’s healthcare workforce needs.
Eligibility Requirements for the Health Talent Pathway (Non-Express Entry)
The Health Talent Pathway focuses on recruiting internationally-trained healthcare professionals. To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Residency Status: Applicants must either reside outside Canada or have legal status in Canada, excluding refugee claimants.
- Language Proficiency: A minimum CLB score of 5 in English and/or French is required.
- Work Experience: For candidates currently working in Saskatchewan, at least six months (780 hours) of full-time work experience with the employer who provided the Job Approval Letter is required. If this experience hasn’t been accumulated, one year of relevant work experience within the past five years is necessary.
- Licensing and Education: Candidates must meet Saskatchewan’s licensing requirements for their occupation, possess relevant post-secondary education, and have a permanent, full-time job offer in Saskatchewan’s health sector.
Occupations Eligible for the Health Talent Pathway
The Health Talent Pathway includes the following 44 eligible occupations:
| NOC | Description |
| 30010 | Managers in health care |
| 31100 | Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine |
| 31101 | Specialists in surgery |
| 31102 | General practitioners and family physicians |
| 31103 | Veterinarians |
| 31110 | Dentists |
| 31111 | Optometrists |
| 31112 | Audiologists and speech-language pathologists |
| 31120 | Pharmacists |
| 31121 | Dietitians and nutritionists |
| 31200 | Psychologists |
| 31201 | Chiropractors |
| 31202 | Physiotherapists |
| 31203 | Occupational therapists |
| 31204 | Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment |
| 31209 | Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating |
| 31300 | Nursing coordinators and supervisors |
| 31301 | Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses |
| 31302 | Nurse practitioners |
| 31303 | Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals |
| 32100 | Opticians |
| 32101 | Licensed practical nurses |
| 32102 | Paramedical occupations |
| 32103 | Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists |
| 32104 | Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians |
| 32109 | Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment |
| 32110 | Denturists |
| 32111 | Dental hygienists and dental therapists |
| 32112 | Dental technologists and technicians |
| 32120 | Medical laboratory technologists |
| 32121 | Medical radiation technologists |
| 32122 | Medical sonographers |
| 32123 | Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists n.e.c |
| 32124 | Pharmacy technicians |
| 32129 | Other medical technologists and technicians |
| 32200 | Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists |
| 32201 | Massage therapists |
| 32209 | Other practitioners of natural healing |
| 33100 | Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants |
| 33101 | Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations |
| 33102 | Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates |
| 33103 | Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants |
| 33109 | Other assisting occupations in support of health services |
| 44101 | Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations |
Benefits of the New Pathways
These new pathways are an essential part of Saskatchewan’s strategy to ensure that its key industries remain robust and resilient. By targeting specific sectors with tailored immigration programs, the province aims to attract the right talent to support economic growth and development.
In addition to addressing labour shortages, these pathways also offer long-term demographic benefits. By attracting younger, skilled workers, Saskatchewan can help counteract population decline and support the sustainability of its rural communities.
Agriculture Minister Marit emphasised that labour shortages are a constraint to growth for agricultural producers. The new pathway will strengthen the agricultural sector, enabling producers to meet growing demands and maintain a competitive edge in the global market.
These new SINP pathways represent a proactive approach by Saskatchewan to meet its labour market needs while providing skilled workers with a clear and expedited route to permanent residency.
To know more subscribe to TheCanadaTime
