Canada’s New LMIA Thresholds Could Move Jobs Into the Low-Wage Stream
Wage offers near provincial thresholds may face longer recruitment, shorter employment periods, worker caps, and metropolitan-area processing restrictions after July 17.
Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program Arrivals Fall by 41%
New arrivals rebounded this spring but remained well below their 2024 peak after Ottawa tightened hiring rules. The federal figures exclude permit extensions and certain short-term workers.
Regina Reopens for Low-Wage LMIAs as Saskatoon Joins Federal Freeze
The Saskatchewan cities moved across the federal 6% unemployment cutoff in opposite directions. The resulting processing rules will remain fixed through October 9.
IRCC Invites 5,000 French-Speaking Candidates in Express Entry Draw
The July 9 French-language proficiency draw set a 420 CRS minimum as Ottawa leans on Express Entry to hit rising francophone immigration targets outside Quebec.
Ottawa Doubles Temporary Foreign Worker Program Fines as Employer Non-Compliance Rise
Employment and Social Development Canada issued more than $10.2 million in penalties for the 2025–2026 fiscal year, up from $4.8 million the year before, while banning 30 employers from the program.
Alberta Issues 1,051 AAIP Invitations Targeting Health Care, Tech, and Rural Workers
The Alberta Opportunity Stream accounted for 832 of the invitations, while Alberta still had more than 4,200 nomination spaces remaining in its 2026 federal allocation.
CFIB Told Alberta TFWs Were a "Lifeline" Months Before Smith's Immigration Referendum
A September 2025 business lobby report urged Alberta to protect temporary foreign worker access, citing widespread labour shortages. Five months later, Premier Smith announced a referendum that could restrict services for temporary residents.
CCIS Opens Registration for Employment Program for Newcomer Youth in Calgary
A 13-week job-readiness course for immigrant and refugee youth ages 15 to 30 starts July 6 in Calgary, with one-on-one employment support after the class ends. Registration is open now.
IRCC Adds New Fraud Checks for Immigration Language Tests
Updated officer instructions require photo cross-checks, case-note reviews, and mandatory referrals to an integrity unit. The changes apply at every stage of processing before a decision is made.
