#30. What does the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan actually mean?
A lot. But there are also some interesting gaps.
Hey hey, and happy Wednesday,
I’ve decided to switch back to mornings for The Newcomer newsletters. Starting today.
The Newcomers X Canadian Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA) merch run is still on. Have you got yours yet?
For context: $5 from every The Newcomers merch purchase goes directly to CIWA’s Here for You. Adopt a Family campaign and a goal of $50,000. Your purchase will support newcomer families this holiday season and help them feel seen and supported.
The campaign runs until December 24th, 2025. Every purchase counts, people. Purchase link here: The Newcomers Merchandise
In today’s newsletter: Veronica Sepehr of
Immigration breaks down what the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan means.Plus: Aman Chawla shares how he’s made Fredericton, New Brunswick, home.
Also: It’s probably a good time to re-read
’s piece on how bonuses are taxed in Canada.Please forward this to ONE friend today and tell them to subscribe here.
You can find the online version of this newsletter here.
What does the next two years look like for Canadian immigration?
Immigration has become a hot-button topic in recent times. There’s the blame. There’s the rage-baiting. There’s the lack of accountability from the government.
However, there’s also the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan, which was released a couple of weeks ago. I got Veronica Sepehr of Westdale Immigration to break down what it means for:
Permanent residency targets
Temporary residents
2026 priority occupations list for category-based draws
And rural immigration
Read the whole thing⤵
Making Fredericton, New Brunswick, home
Canada wasn’t Aman’s first choice when he and his wife started considering immigrating. He wanted Ireland. The time-zone difference wasn’t much. Flights back home lasted about 13 hours.
But the pandemic meant that it didn’t happen. They also considered Australia. That didn’t work out too. So Canada it was.
Listen to my full conversation with Aman⤵
How’s your December bonus taxed?
Bonuses. I love them. They often come at the best times, like when you’re wondering how to fund your significant other’s birthday party or when your role as an uncle means the Christmas gift list keeps growing yearly.
If you’re like me, the taxes on bonuses never seem to make sense. One day it’s X%. The next time it’s 2X%. Gosh, eventually I stopped bothering. I’ll take whatever I see in there.
So, I asked Jerry, a friend and fellow immigrant, but one who understands the Canadian tax system better than I do, about how our bonuses are taxed in Canada (because I assume you want to solve this mystery once and for all, right?).
Read the full piece here⤵
What else is interesting out there?
Veronica Sepehr’s new YouTube channel. You could start with her 'This Week in Canadian Immigration' video, where she discusses Express Entry, the Ontario OINP, and the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP).
ByBlacks.com’s piece on post-immigration stress disorder. Kristina McPherson has been discussing this for a while, so it’s great to see it getting the much-needed attention.
The Immigrant Life succinct treatise on the new Express Entry category for international doctors. Worth a read.