Starting February 3, 2026, Immigration New Brunswick has suspended new employer designation applications under the Atlantic Immigration Program while implementing sweeping reforms across three key immigration pathways. The province is introducing a candidate pool system for AIP endorsement applications, in which monthly selections prioritize provincial labour market needs rather than processing applications chronologically. Simultaneously, significant occupational restrictio

On February 3, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the Express Entry draw #393. The Government of Canada issued 423 Invitations to Apply (ITA) for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates in this draw. This round’s cut-off score was 749 points, 3 points more than the previous PNP-targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was December 16, 2025, at 22:30:36 UTC. As of February 2, 2026, 238,920 profiles were registered in the Express

Immigration Minister Lena Diab has called for enhanced tracking capabilities to monitor temporary residents leaving Canada, as nearly 1.9 million temporary residents are set to have their visas expire this year. While the Canada Border Services Agency currently tracks departure details like transportation methods and travel documents, it lacks the ability to efficiently determine visa expiration status without manual, labour-intensive checks. Diab emphasized that many countr

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

On February 2, 2026, the Government of Ontario conducted the first invitation draws in the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream (EJO FW), International Student Stream (EJO IS), and In-Demand Skills Stream (EJO IDS) of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). In these draws, the province targeted physicians, professionals working in the health occupations, early childhood educators, assistants, and Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) candidates

February marks Black History Month in Alberta, a time dedicated to honouring the lasting influence of Black Albertans on the province's development. The month provides an opportunity to reflect on the journeys of early Black pioneers while celebrating contemporary leaders who drive progress, creativity, and innovation throughout communities. Black Albertans have played an essential role in shaping the province's cultural, social, and economic landscape. Their history, contri

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is organizing a virtual immigration and job fair on February 11, running from 6 to 10 p.m. GMT. This event offers skilled foreign workers a valuable opportunity to connect directly with employers across the province who are actively hiring. Participants will need to upload their resumes during registration for employer review. The fair will also include informative sessions and Q&A segments with immigration experts, covering pathwa

A recent analysis reveals significant disparities in healthcare coverage for international students studying in Canada, with access largely dependent on their province of study. While Alberta, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, and the Northwest Territories provide immediate or comprehensive public healthcare coverage, students in Ontario, Manitoba, and Yukon must rely solely on private insurance. British Columbia imposes a three-month waiting period plus mon

Canada saw a modest decline in payroll employment in November 2025, with 26,200 fewer positions recorded than the previous month, according to new data from Statistics Canada. The decrease affected ten of the twenty sectors, particularly retail trade, manufacturing, and accommodation and food services. Despite this monthly pullback, annual figures showed marginal growth, with 48,300 more payroll positions than in November 2024. Average weekly earnings climbed to $1,317.16, m

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

On January 29, 2026, Manitoba held the invitation round #263 under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). The province invited 47 skilled workers under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Workers Overseas streams as part of a strategic recruitment initiative. In this round, six invitations were extended to candidates with a valid Express Entry profile number and a job seeker validation code. This year, the MPNP invited 102 candidates, and 16 of them received

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.

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

Economic forecasts for 2026 indicate that Alberta is set to lead Canada in economic growth, outperforming all other provinces. Following a period of stabilization, Alberta’s GDP is projected to rise significantly, driven by a resurgence in the energy sector and a rapidly diversifying tech industry. Economists point to increased capital investment and a steady influx of new residents as primary catalysts for this momentum. While other regions face slower recovery rates, Alber

Ottawa has announced significant changes to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), with new co-payment requirements taking effect May 1, 2026. Under the updated policy outlined in Budget 2025, eligible beneficiaries will pay $4 per prescription medication and 30% of costs for supplemental services such as dental care, vision care, counselling, and assistive devices. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) states these measures will ensure the program's long-t

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

Over the last week, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the first draws of the year for the International Experience Canada (IEC) pools. From January 1 to January 23, Canada invited 12,693 young foreigners to apply for an IEC open work permit. As of January 23, 35,567 candidates have registered in the pool and are awaiting the invitation. In these rounds, there were 1 ITA for Andorra, 1,304 ITAs for Australia, 83 ITAs for Austria, 370 ITAs for Belgium, 2