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Welcome to the first of In The Know, a monthly column where I cover the key developments (policy and otherwise) in the context of Canadian immigration and why they matter.
The one predictable thing about Canadian immigration policy is that it’s constantly changing. Which can make it challenging for newcomers or those of you hoping to make Canada home to plan ahead.
~Now on to the stuff of the month~
Parent and Grandparent Program: The Door Stays Shut
Tl;dr: The Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP), which allows Canadian permanent residents and citizens to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence, won’t accept new applications in 2026, at least “until further instructions are issued.” This year, the government will process up to 10,000 PR applications received during the 2025 intake period.
Who it affects: Permanent residents or citizens who’ve been waiting for an opportunity to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada permanently will likely have a long wait ahead of them.
Why it matters: Since family reunification is one of the selling points of Canadian immigration, this seemingly never-ending delay might come as a disappointment to many new Canadians.
What’s next: IRCC hasn’t provided a timeline for reopening the interest to sponsor or application process. Until more clarity emerges from Canada’s immigration authority , the super visa could potentially act as a stop-gap option for newcomer families.
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The Start-Up Visa Program Winds Up
Tl;dr: The Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program, which was launched in 2013 to attract innovative entrepreneurs and create jobs for Canadians, has closed to new applications. The government has announced that a replacement entrepreneurship pilot is in the works, but no details have been released.
The closure comes after processing times ballooned to 10+ years and a 2023 government review found instances of potential fraud within SUV applications.
Who it affects: Tech innovators, startup founders, and entrepreneurs who were considering building their businesses in Canada now face uncertainty. Applications that are already being processed will not be affected, but anyone in the planning or early fundraising stages will no longer have access to the SUV program.
Why it matters: The Start-Up Visa was the only federal entrepreneurial immigration program in Canada. The gap between the SUV program's closure and a new pilot's launch could mean Canada loses promising ventures to other countries.
What’s next: Global entrepreneurs hoping to immigrate to Canada should keep an eye out for details of the new pilot program. Meanwhile, it’s a good idea to explore provincial entrepreneur immigration streams.
Express Entry Draws Start Strong in 2026
Tl;dr: Week 1 of 2026 saw two Express Entry draws. On January 5, IRCC issued 574 invitations to apply to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 711. January 7 saw the second-largest Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw of all time, with 8,000 ITAs issued to candidates with CRS scores of 511 and over.
Who it affects: The massive CEC draw is excellent news for temporary foreign workers (TFWs) with more than one year of eligible Canadian work experience. The CRS cut-off of 511 is among the lowest scores seen in recent years and, for people who’ve been in the pool for a while, it brings a solid reason to celebrate (or to hope).
Why it matters: An early focus on CEC suggests that the government is prioritizing retention of TFWs who’re already in Canada and already contributing to the economy. Provincial selection also remains a priority to address local labour market needs.
What’s next: Expect a continued focus on CEC and PNP draws, along with category-based selection (likely for Francophone and healthcare categories).
