The Federal Government is moving to update immigration rules to allow for the digital capture of passport information. This technology would allow applicants to scan their electronic passports (ePassports) remotely to automatically fill out their forms. By using this system, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aims to reduce manual data entry errors and verify the authenticity of travel documents when an application is submitted. While the new process adds an

The Federal Government has introduced a series of regulatory amendments under the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration Systems and Borders Act to modernize the in-Canada asylum system. These changes focus on addressing system-wide bottlenecks caused by a surge in refugee claims through several key measures, including a new single online application process and the enforcement of stricter timelines for ministerial due diligence. Notably, the reforms ensure that eligible claiman

A new commentary from the Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association argues that international law has an important, but limited, role in Canadian immigration decisions. The commentary says countries still control who may enter under domestic rules, while universal human rights standards set real boundaries, including non-discrimination, protection from inhuman treatment, and respect for family life. In practice, tribunals interpret the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act u

Thunder Bay has completed a Welcoming Communities Analysis aimed at improving support for newcomers and advancing long-term population growth under the city’s Growth Action Plan. The work was led by the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission with Community Services and the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association. Leaders say recent immigration strengthened the workforce, but expected policy shifts could slow arrivals, making retention essential. The analysis poi

The Canada Border Services Agency announced it has paused all deportations to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar due to dangerous conditions in those countries. The temporary measure applies to anyone facing removal from Canada, except those convicted of serious crimes or linked to security threats. Officials say the situation has become too risky for civilians across these nations. The suspension will stay in place until conditions improve and the risk to

The Ministry of Immigration and Career Training has secured $96,000 in compensation for a victim of unlicensed immigration consulting. Yan Wang, operating without proper authorization, collected fees for services but never filed the required documents with the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program. Instead, Wang provided falsified paperwork to the client. After a thorough investigation, ministry officials, exercising their authority under the Immigration Services Act, issue

The Government of Canada announced temporary measures allowing rural employers to increase the proportion of low-wage temporary foreign workers they can hire from 10% to 15% of their workforce. The change is intended to help rural businesses address persistent labour shortages and will apply from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, following a request from a province or territory. At the same time, sector-specific rules will remain in place: employers in the health care,

Prince Edward Island saw exceptional tourism performance in 2025, welcoming 1.87 million visitors, a 10% increase over the previous year. Visitor spending jumped 12.4%, outpacing the national average of 4.4%. The province recorded 1,126,108 paid overnight stays, its highest total ever. Four coastal regions reached new milestones, while shoulder-season travel increased 18% since 2019. Food and beverage receipts grew 6%, golf rounds rose 155, and museum visits climbed 29%. Tou

Starting March 31, 2026, Canadians will see modest increases in passport and travel document fees as the government adjusts pricing to reflect inflation and rising operational costs. A 10-year adult passport will cost $163.50, up $3.50 from the current rate, while 5-year adult passports increase by $2.50 to $122.50. Child passports rise by $1.50 to $58.50. This marks the first fee adjustment in 13 years. The government also announced a new service guarantee: beginning April

The Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association has published a comprehensive report recommending the creation of a Canadian Business Immigration Council to reshape how the country approaches entrepreneur and investor immigration. The report, titled "Engine of Growth," addresses Canada's declining business immigration numbers—from 30,000 annual admissions to just 500 under current plans. CILA's proposal centers on adaptive governance rather than fixed policies, calling for coll

A Quebec-based resort is facing serious legal consequences after a lengthy investigation by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Authorities laid charges on February 26 at the Granby courthouse against company directors and an employee for hiring 21 foreign workers without proper authorization. The violations allegedly took place between May 2022 and April 2024. The investigation began in December 2022 following a public tip, and a search in September 2024 yielded suffi

Employers who break the rules of Canada's temporary foreign worker program now face much steeper penalties. Fines have jumped from $102,250 across 74 companies in 2018-19 to $4.8 million for 147 companies last fiscal year. McMaster University professor Catherine Connelly notes the government shifted from an educational approach to a deterrence strategy. The change comes as public scrutiny of the program intensified. Despite larger penalties, experts believe many violations s

Canada stands at a crossroads as experts debate the country's immigration future amid a shrinking working-age population. Economic analysts suggest the government's plan to maintain near-zero population growth through 2028 represents a necessary correction following rapid expansion that strained housing, healthcare, and public services. However, policy advocates warn that without a comprehensive national strategy, this pullback threatens long-term economic prosperity and lea

Statistics Canada has released a comprehensive analysis examining the demographic characteristics and socioeconomic experiences of Chinese populations throughout the country. Published on February 13, 2026, the report finds that this community doubled in size between 1996 and 2021, reaching 1.7 million individuals, representing 4.7% of Canada's total population. The study highlights significant diversity in immigration patterns, with nearly half born in China and over one-qu

Canada's immigration system is under increasing strain as backlogs continue to grow. A year after initial job cuts, the department has seen permanent and temporary immigration applications rise by 2.6 percent to over 2.1 million, while backlogged cases exceeding service standards jumped 12.7 percent. Citizenship application backlogs increased from 17 to 23 percent, and refugee claims awaiting decisions climbed to more than 300,000. The situation appears set to worsen, with 3

Canadian immigration tribunals are ordering the deportation of numerous clients who used the services of Sunny Wang, a Richmond-based immigration consultant at the center of what authorities call the country's largest immigration fraud case. Wang generated $10 million over eight years by creating falsified Chinese passports and fraudulent documents for hundreds of clients seeking permanent residency. While some family members are being permitted to remain on humanitarian gro

Canada's immigration security apparatus is struggling with fundamental structural weaknesses that have allowed security threats to slip through multiple agency checkpoints, according to recent policy analysis . The system involves four separate federal bodies – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police – each maintaining distinct databases and risk assessme

A new poll shows that Canadian attitudes toward immigration have shifted dramatically, with 48 percent now viewing it negatively – marking the lowest level of support in eight years. The survey , conducted in mid-January 2026, reveals that only 34 percent believe immigration has a positive effect on the country, down from 54 percent in early 2022. This decline spans all age groups and most regions, though British Columbia remains slightly more favourable than other provinces.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a comprehensive affordability package designed to help all Canadians, including newcomers, manage rising costs. The centrepiece is the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, which boosts support by 25% over five years starting July 2026, with families of four receiving up to $1,890 this year. The government is also dedicating $500 million to prevent businesses from passing supply chain costs to consumers, creating a $150 million Foo

Ministers Gary Anandasangaree and Sean Fraser released comprehensive National Commitments to Combat Antisemitism on January 26, following the devastating Bondi Beach attack in Australia that claimed fifteen lives during Hanukkah celebrations. The framework strengthens law enforcement training, expands hate crime units, and enhances security for vulnerable communities. Building on last year's National Forum, the strategy includes legislative reforms through Bill C-9, which cr