Today, Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Maria Ubach Font, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Principality of Andorra, signed a new bilateral Youth Mobility Arrangement between Canada and Andorra. This took place through a virtual signing ceremony.
This arrangement allows Canadian and Andorran youth, between the ages of 18 and 30, to work and travel for up to one year through the Working Holiday stream of International Experience Canada (IEC), a program managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). They may work for the same employer for the duration of their stay.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a number of temporary measures, including travel restrictions, this arrangement with Andorra will open up new opportunities for future work and travel once conditions permit.
With the addition of Andorra, Canada now has formal youth mobility arrangements with 36 countries and foreign territories. This is the first youth mobility arrangement that Andorra has signed with any country.
The IEC Program is a bilateral exchange program that provides Canadian and foreign youth with the opportunity to work while they travel. The Program fosters people-to-people ties and strengthens relationships between Canada and its partner countries, while helping to build a competitive global workforce that contributes to Canada’s economic success.
“I am pleased that we have reached this arrangement with Andorra, which will further build our people-to-people ties. While we recognize that the pandemic poses some challenges and that travel may not be possible at the moment, we hope that Andorran youth will use this time to plan their future adventures in Canada. Our country has much to offer, and we look forward to welcoming you when we can.”
– The Honourable Marco E.L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
“Canada and Andorra are both members of La Francophonie and share many priorities including gender equality, combating climate change, promoting economic security and strengthening multilateralism. This new agreement only further cements the strong bonds between our countries while providing the next generation with life-changing experiences and opportunities.”
– Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
“Andorra and Canada have excellent bilateral and multilateral relations based on common values of democracy, rule of law, human rights, prosperity and multilingualism. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and the Principality of Andorra.
Our 2 countries have developed a strong relationship expressed through bilateral cooperation in the fields of education and innovation. This agreement will promote the youth mobility between our 2 countries. Indeed this is the first youth mobility arrangement signed by Andorra and an example of this fruitful collaboration.”
– Maria Ubach Font, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Principality of Andorra
Quick facts
- Canada is continuing to accept submissions of profiles into IEC pools. However, due to service interruptions as a result of the pandemic, applications are not being processed at this time. While timelines for when normal operations may resume are still unknown, they will reflect public health guidelines.
- Canada and Andorra enjoy active and ongoing collaboration in the United Nations and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.
- More than 200,000 Canadians have participated in the IEC Program since 2008, and many have returned to Canada with life-changing experiences valuable to both their personal and professional lives.
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