A recent study from HEC Montreal reveals that the route immigrants take into Canada matters more than their qualifications alone. Workers arriving with closed permits typically earn higher incomes than other groups, while foreign students show the fastest wage growth once they enter the job market. The research, which surveyed 2,500 university-educated immigrants in 2025, found that the current points-based selection system does not always identify candidates who will perfor

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has clarified how work permits will be issued to applicants under the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) in 2026. Candidates who have submitted a complete permanent residence application under either pilot and hold a valid job offer may qualify for a work permit valid for up to two years while their PR application is processed. These work permits are exempt from t

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

Rodney Sidloski has been charged with six offences under Saskatchewan's immigration legislation for allegedly exploiting two foreign workers at HELP International Shelterbelt Center near Weyburn between 2022 and 2024. The charges include producing false payroll records, misrepresenting employment terms, and taking advantage of the workers' trust and lack of knowledge. These alleged violations occurred at the tree farm operation and involve breaches of the Foreign Worker Recr

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program will reopen on March 9, 2026, with significant changes to its Employer-Driven Stream. The territory has been allocated 197 nominations for the year and is introducing an Expression of Interest system to improve fairness and transparency. Employers will submit profiles for foreign workers, which will be scored based on work experience, education, language proficiency, and connections to the NWT. The first selection draw is scheduled f

Canada is shifting its immigration strategy to prioritize high-skilled professionals and economic sustainability. On February 18, 2026, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab revealed new Express Entry categories designed to fill labour gaps. The new update introduces priority streams for researchers, senior managers, and aviation experts. Additionally, the government will streamline immigration pathways for foreign military personnel for roles within the Canadian Armed Forc

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

On February 16, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  held  the Express Entry draw #395. The Government of Canada issued 279 Invitations to Apply (ITA) for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates in this draw. This round’s cut-off score was 789 points, 40 points more than the previous PNP-targeted draw, which was the highest of the year. The tie-breaking rule for this round was September 05, 2025, at 0:59:13 UTC. As of February 15, 2026, 235,695 p

Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board processed 6,456 new refugee protection claims in January 2026, marking a notable decline from previous months, according to recently released statistics . The agency finalized 6,663 claims during the same period, resulting in a slight reduction in the pending caseload to 299,960. Meanwhile, refugee appeals continued their upward trend with 1,037 new filings and 984 finalizations, bringing the pending appeals to 4,742. Immigration appeals

On February 10, 2026, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)  updated  the processing times for the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications under various streams. Based on statistics from all processing centres, the average LMIA processing time has increased for all streams. Global Talent Stream - 11 business days (+1 day) Agricultural stream – 19 business days (+4 days) Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program - 16 business days (+6 days) Permanent Residence

Canada's healthcare crisis is hitting a critical point , with new data revealing that 50% of Canadians either lack a family doctor or face significant barriers accessing one, up from 40% a decade ago. This deteriorating situation poses particular challenges for immigrants and newcomers, who already navigate complex settlement processes and now encounter a strained medical system ill-equipped to meet growing demand. Despite healthcare spending nearly doubling to $399 billion s

On February 3, 2026, New Brunswick  published  the results of its recent draws using an expression of interest system to streamline immigration applications for the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP). On February 2, 2026, the province conducted two draws and issued a total of 326 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to qualified candidates. The new draws were conducted under the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream – Employment in New Brunswick (166 ITAs) and NB Strategic

The Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT) has announced it will wind down operations over the next year, citing an "unsustainable" financial model following a dramatic 55% drop in international student enrollment. While the Winnipeg-based institution is set to close, the province has reached an agreement with Red River College (RRC) Polytech to transfer selected programs and ensure that all currently enrolled students can complete their credentials. The closure

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

The Quebec government has turned down Montreal's request to grant flexibility for immigrant workers following the elimination of the Quebec Experience Program. Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada and city council members had unanimously sought a grandfather clause that would have allowed temporary residents already in the province to apply under the now-defunct program. Immigration Minister Jean-Francois Roberge confirmed that while applications submitted before the program's canc

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

Canada's immigration minister has filed a motion with the Federal Court seeking mass dismissal of 430 applications from Chinese nationals, citing significant irregularities. The cases, which involve study, work, and visitor permit applications, raised red flags due to identical formatting, shared contact information, and suspiciously similar wording despite claims of self-representation. Officials believe unauthorized "ghost agents" orchestrated these filings, exploiting app

Employment and Social Development Canada has processed 31,449 positive Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) for temporary foreign worker positions in the third quarter of 2025. Ontario led the provinces with 11,392 approvals, followed by Quebec at 7,811 and British Columbia with 6,336. Alberta recorded 2,868 positive LMIAs, while the Atlantic provinces saw modest numbers ranging from 263 in Newfoundland and Labrador to 779 in Nova Scotia. The prairie provinces of Manitoba