The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission wrapped up a strong first year of its Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), issuing 475 recommendation certificates to skilled workers across priority sectors, including healthcare, business, and trades. The employer-driven program, which runs through 2029, designated 358 employers across the Thunder Bay region and reviewed nearly 900 applications. CEO Jamie Taylor emphasized the pilot's role in tackling local lab

On January 15, 2026, Prince Edward Island  conducted  2026’s first invitation round under the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP). In this draw, PEI issued 26 invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates working in priority sectors based on economic impact in PEI. The province prioritized candidates with employment offers from PEI-based organizations and international graduates from recognized institutions, including UPEI, Holland College, and Collège de l'

On January 15, 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). From January 13 to January 15, 2026, the province conducted three draws and issued a total of 379 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to qualified candidates. The new draws were conducted under the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream– Employment in New Brunswick (20 ITAs),

On January 7, 2026, the Office of Immigration of Prince Edward Island  published  a schedule for invitation rounds via the Expression of Interest system for individuals to apply for the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEIPNP). The invitation rounds are scheduled for the following dates: January 15, 2026 February 19, 2026 March 19, 2026 April 16, 2026 May 21, 2026 June 18, 2026 July 16, 2026 August 20, 2026 September 17, 2026 October 15, 2026 November 19, 2026

British Columbia's Skills Immigration registration pool has recorded 11,210 total registrations as of January 6, 2026, according to the latest provincial data . The distribution shows a concentration of interest across all scoring tiers, with the 100-109 range leading with 2,161 registrants, followed closely by the 90-99 bracket at 2,048. The pool's composition reveals sustained demand for skilled worker pathways, as scores ranging from 60 to 149 demonstrate consistent regist

On December 31, 2025, Manitoba held the invitation round #261 under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). The province invited 421 candidates under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba stream. The draw invited 353 candidates under the occupation-specific selection and 68 candidates under the Skilled Worker pathway. In this round, 118 invitations were extended to candidates with a valid Express Entry profile number and a job seeker validation code. In 2025, the MPNP invit

Following major changes to Ontario's immigration system, many newcomers pursuing permanent residency are in limbo , uncertain about their future in Canada. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, which offers a fast-track pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers and international students, is undergoing significant restructuring. The province has suspended its skilled trades stream and is reducing entry categories from nine to four, while Ottawa has cut provincial no

On December 23, 2025, Prince Edward Island conducted an unscheduled invitation round under the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP). In this draw, PEI issued 13 invitations to apply (ITAs) to workers in priority sectors based on economic impact in PEI. So far, the province has invited only one business candidate this year. PEI invited 1,609 skilled workers through 14 PEI PNP draws in 2025. The province will publish the next PEI PNP draw dates in early 20

On December 19, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the indefinite suspension of intake for Home Care Worker Immigration pilots, effective immediately. This decision addresses the growing gap between demand and available space, resulting in longer processing times for applicants. The pause supports Canada's 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan, which is designed to stabilize immigration levels while addressing critical labour market needs. IRCC w

On December 18, 2025, 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 November 16 and December 9, 2025, the province conducted three draws and issued a total of 145 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to qualified candidates under the NB Skilled Worker – NB Experience Stream, NB Skilled Worker – NB Graduates Stream, and NB Express Entry

On December 15, 2025, Prince Edward Island  conducted  2025’s thirteenth invitation round under the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP). In this draw, PEI issued 166 invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates working in priority sectors based on economic impact in PEI. The province prioritized candidates with employment offers from PEI-based organizations and international graduates from recognized institutions, including UPEI, Holland College, and Collèg

A group of leading Canadian economists has raised concerns about recent changes to the country's immigration framework, arguing that the 2023 introduction of category-based selection has undermined the transparency of Canada's formerly merit-driven system. The shift from the Comprehensive Ranking System to ministerial discretion has created uncertainty for prospective immigrants and may reduce the inflow of highly skilled workers. With international student applications decl

On December 5, 2025, Manitoba  held  the invitation round #259 under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). The province invited 184 skilled workers under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Workers Overseas streams as part of a strategic recruitment initiative. In this round, 61 invitations were extended to candidates with a valid Express Entry profile number and a job seeker validation code. This year, the MPNP invited 7,281 candidates, and 1,343 of them rec

Ontario has introduced a proposal to overhaul the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), aiming to simplify the system and better respond to labour-market needs by reorganizing current pathways, including the existing Employer Job Offer streams. The plan suggests merging these streams into clearer, more flexible job-offer pathways for both high-skilled and semi-skilled workers, with updated eligibility criteria. The proposal also highlights a new dedicated healthcare stre

Recent polling data reveals a notable shift in Canadian priorities, with 79% of respondents now viewing the attraction of global talent through sustainable immigration as a key government focus, up five points since the summer. This marks the largest increase among Prime Minister Mark Carney's seven national priorities, suggesting Canadians increasingly recognize immigration's role in economic recovery. While the cost of living and housing remain dominant concerns at 91% and

Ontario's Immigration Minister David Piccini has officially announced the province will roll out new immigration pathways next year, including a specialized Talent Stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program. Speaking during the debate on Bill 30 in late November, Piccini outlined plans to target high-impact individuals, including major investors, elite culinary professionals, prominent artists, and leading researchers. The legislation grants the province greater flex

Nova Scotia has introduced a formalized Expression of Interest process for all Nova Scotia Nominee Program streams and Atlantic Immigration Program designations. The new system addresses the gap between high application volumes and available federal allocations by allowing the province to select candidates through periodic draws based on labour market priorities. All current and future submissions will enter an EOI pool, and selected applicants will receive direct notificati

On November 20, 2025, Prince Edward Island  conducted  2025’s twelfth invitation round under the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP). In this draw, PEI issued 190 invitations to apply (ITAs) to French-speaking candidates working in priority sectors based on economic impact in PEI. The province prioritized candidates with employment offers from PEI-based organizations and international graduates from recognized institutions, including UPEI, Holland Colleg

On November 21, 2025, Manitoba  held  the invitation round #258 under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). The province invited 35 skilled workers under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Workers Overseas streams as part of a strategic recruitment initiative. In this round, five invitations were extended to candidates with a valid Express Entry profile number and a job seeker validation code. This year, the MPNP invited 7,097 candidates, and 1,282 of them r

A federal initiative designed to help Canadian employers hire skilled refugees from overseas is facing serious challenges , with processing times ballooning from an initial six months to 54 months. The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, launched in 2018 to address labour shortages by connecting businesses with qualified refugee workers, has left more than 20 companies struggling with production cuts and lost revenue while applicants remain in precarious situations abroad. Refu