Canada Immigration News: What You Need to Know Today
Staying updated on Canada Immigration News is essential if you plan to study, work, reunite with family, or settle here. The landscape is shifting quickly from temporary resident caps and tighter housing-linked immigration targets to new border security measures. In this deep dive, we unpack what’s new in policy reforms affecting students, workers, families, refugees, and Canada’s approach to immigration.
Canada Immigration News: Temporary Foreign Worker Program Wage Increases
Starting June 27 employers applying for a Labor Market Impact Assessment under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program must meet new, higher wage thresholds.
Key points include
• Employers must now pay foreign workers a higher minimum wage, aligning with the median wage for that occupation in their region
• The high-wage and low-wage streams have been reclassified to favor fair compensation practices
• This may limit low-wage roles but ensures temporary foreign workers receive equitable pay
• The change is meant to protect both Canadian workers and migrant employees in sectors where exploitation was common
This update reflects an emphasis on economic fairness without discouraging skilled labor.
Canada Immigration News: Population Growth and Housing Relief
Canada’s net migration has slowed dramatically as part of a strategic plan to ease pressure on housing markets.
Current trends show
• Population growth has flattened with slightly over 20,000 new residents from January to April
• Rental prices in some regions have dropped consecutively as demand softens
• International student numbers fell by over 50,000 as caps took effect
• Asylum claims reached record highs, creating a new policy challenge
This trend highlights a shift toward sustainable growth and reflects concerns about infrastructure affordability.
Canada Immigration News: Strong Borders Act Introduced
The government has introduced the Strong Borders Act to overhaul how Canada manages asylum and temporary residents.
Highlights are
• Authorities can now suspend or cancel visas or permits for system abuse
• Police and border agencies gain broader powers for asylum control
• Enhanced data sharing between federal agencies aims to streamline enforcement
• Limits introduced for asylum claims filed more than a year after entering Canada
While aimed at enforcing immigration integrity, critics warn it risks restricting refugee protections.
Canada Immigration News: Post-Graduation Work Permit Shake-Up
Significant changes are coming to the Post-Graduation Work Permit program for international students.
Changes announced include
• Eligibility now aligned with labor market priorities, with 119 new fields added
• Around 178 programs removed from eligibility, including some trade and transport fields
• Stakeholders warn some sectors may face worker shortages due to the cuts
• The update encourages students to enroll in in-demand programs
This reform reflects a policy shift toward skills-based intake matching Canada’s economy.
Canada Immigration News: Temporary Resident Targets Reduced
As part of the 2025-27 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada is limiting the number of temporary residents.
Policy details include
• Temporary residents now target will not exceed five percent of total population
• Permits for international students and low-wage workers are capped
• Provincial nominee program quotas adjusted in line with regional needs
• The plan aims to balance economic growth with pressure on public services
This policy indicates a focus on quality over volume in Canadian immigration.
Canada Immigration News: Quebec Family Reunification Delays
Quebec faces significant delays in processing family reunification applications due to quota controls.
Consequences of this include
• Average wait times have doubled to over thirty-four months in some cases
• Quebec has capped intake, leading to a backlog of close to 40,000 applications
• This has created strain for separated families and raised human rights concerns
• Federal officials are exploring ways to fast-track pending applications
This bottleneck underscores the tensions between provincial quotas and federal immigration goals.
Canada Immigration News: Express Entry and Skilled Worker Adjustments
Canada continues to refine its Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs to favor Canadian experience.
Recent shifts include
• Express Entry remains the fastest permanent residency route with six-month processing times
• More than 40 percent of PR invitations now go to applicants already in Canada
• PNP streams are prioritizing in-demand industries and labor shortages
• Candidates with Canadian work or study experience gain more points than before
This strategy aims to improve retention rates and integration success among newcomers.
Canada Immigration News: Start-Up Visa Expansion
The Start-Up Visa program is expanding as Canada seeks entrepreneurs and global talent.
Latest developments show
• Program space increased from 1,000 last year to a predicted 6,000 by 2025
• Entrepreneurs receive permanent residence if backed by designated Canadian investors
• The goal is to foster innovation and retain immigrant founders
• Recent cases show some participants leverage the permit for PR then exit businesses
This illustrates Canada’s dual aim of economic growth and fair immigration pathways.
Canada Immigration News: International Student Route Updates
Canada has tightened eligibility for study and postgraduate work permits to reduce misuse.
Major changes include
• Programs not linked to labour shortages now excluded from work permit eligibility
• Student permit caps are in effect to control growth of international enrollments.
• Tighter verification of admission letters and financial means is mandatory
• Providers must renew their status to sponsor students or risk losing it
These changes aim to restore integrity to one of Canada’s most popular immigration pathways.
Canada Immigration News: Safe Third Country Agreement Revisions
The Safe Third Country Agreement with the US is being more strictly enforced, affecting asylum seekers.
What this means
• Asylum claims filed by those who first entered via the US are rejected if within the fourteenth day
• Exceptions exist for unaccompanied minors or those with official documentation
• Updates aim to reduce irregular cross-border migration
• Critics argue this limits legitimate access to refugee protection
This reflects Canada’s desire to control asylum system bottlenecks while balancing humanitarian obligations.
How Canada Immigration News Impacts You
Recent policy shifts affect a broad spectrum of stakeholders.
Here is what you should do now
• If you are a student, choose a program eligible for the PGWP to secure work rights
• Employers using TFWP need to prepare for higher wage thresholds and compliance audits
• Families applying for sponsorship should expect long Quebec delays
• Aspiring permanent residents should consider in-country experience for advantage
• Entrepreneurs should explore the Start-Up Visa to capitalize on expanded slots
• Advocate groups and sponsors must monitor Strong Borders Act implementation
Conclusion
Canada Immigration News shows a shift toward a more measured, selective immigration approach. While new laws may slow entry for some temporary visas, they also support essential labor sectors entrepreneurial growth and program integrity.
Staying updated allows you to adapt your plans, whether you are a student, worker, sponsor, entrepreneur, or refugee claimant. With careful navigation and aligned goals, you can still achieve success under Canada’s evolving system. Staying informed is your best tool. Let these updates guide your next steps as you pursue your Canadian journey.
