According to Ontario Immigration Minister Michael Chan, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has established a list of 38 occupations that will be usedfor the selection of Federal Skilled Worker applicants. CIC Minister DianeFinley informed provincial immigration ministers about the list earlier this month.

Applicants whose occupations are on this list and who meet the minimum points requirements under the Federal Skilled Worker category will be qualified forPermanent Residency. Those whose occupations are not on the list, will need to apply for Canadian permanent residency through the Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP).

Chan says that the provinces are now concerned that they will need to alter their own immigration policies in response to the Federal Skilled Worker shift,and that they will need to compete with each other to satisfy regional labour shortages.

CIC Minister Diane Finley has said that this list will not be made public until later in the fall.