The Canadian government says that it will ease immigration rules to increase the number of skilled workers let into the country. Canada is facing labor shortages in its oil, mining and construction industries. The immigration program has been traditionally geared towards professionals, but the government says that they will try to attract skilled laborers to fill jobs. Applicants will not have to be fluent in English or French, and will be based on jobs postings from Canadian companies. The program is expected to go into effect later this year.
See "Canada looks to speed entry of skilled foreign workers", Scott Haggett, Reuters, April 10, 2012