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Hi!
Welcome back to The Newcomers weekly “From the Editor” newsletter, where I try to keep you up to date with all we’ve published in the past few days. Or more like weeks, as this is our first newsletter since mid- December, 2026.
I should have probably started off with “Happy New Year.” But if you’re like me, you are probably done with that and swamped with all life has thrown your way lately.
As you must have noticed, we’ve moved from Substack to Beehiiv. Substack was great to be fair. But I think it’s time for a change. Plus Beehiiv offers us so many better ways to serve content, and all the zany ideas I have.
In today’s newsletter: Matthew McDonald shares his expectations for Canadian immigration in 2026.
Also: We’ve launched a monthly column called “In the Know” where we cover the key developments (policy and otherwise) in the context of Canadian immigration and why they matter.
Plus: Rodrigo Cotrim de Carvalho explores what Canadian immigration promises and what it delivers in our first podcast episode of 2026.
By: Dozie Anyaegbunam
You can find the online version of the newsletter here.
2026 is all about unpredictability
There’s a lot up in the air with Canadian immigration in 2026. And I think it’s best we accept that, especially if you are in the pool or are looking to apply for any of the many immigration pathways.
There are no perfect answers.
The one thing I can say to you confidently is: PLEASE WORK WITH AN RCIC if you are doing anything Canadian immigration going forward. The stakes are too high, the policy updates are coming in hard and fast, and you don’t want to be facing a possible deportation because you assumed X meant Y.
Read Matthew McDonald’s piece here ⤵
Not Conservative. Not Liberal. Just Christian.
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Over 1.5 million Christians have ditched the doomscroll and found a better way to stay informed––Christ-first, anger-free, and (even kinda) funny.
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In the Know; Jan 2026
In the first of many, we talk about the Parents and Grandparents Program (I was really hoping to take advantage of this program so that my parent-in-laws could spend longer periods in Canada), the shuttered Startup Visa Program, and what to look out for as the Express Entry Draws start strong in 2026.
Read the full thing here ⤵
Rodrigo Cotrim de Carvalho explores what Canadian immigration promises and what it delivers
In our first episode of 2026, I'm speaking with Rodrigo Cotrim de Carvalho, a Brazilian food researcher and educator who left Rio de Janeiro for Ottawa, Canada, through the now-closed Startup Visa program.
There's a lot to reflect on here, folks. But I think the one I kept coming back to was the point Rodrigo makes about all that gets lost in translation as you go through the messy process of fitting into your new home.
Listen to the full episode here ⤵
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The Newcomers Resources & Guides
The Immigrant’s Guide to Canadian Small Talk. Learn why small talk matters more than you think in Canada, the art of the opening line, how to read the room, and how to make graceful exits.
The Canadian 3-Month Settlement Guide for Newcomers Sans Kids. Cos we all needed something like this when we landed in Canada.
Breaking Into Canada’s Skilled Trades. Canada needs 700,00 trade workers by 2028. Learn about the most accessible entry points as a newcomer, what your career progression could look like, and how much you’d be making.
Want to work with us? Check out The Newcomers Media Kit
Want more immigrant interviews? Listen to The Newcomers Podcast.
Interested in immigrant entrepreneur stories? Listen to Unfiltered w/PORCH.
Looking to find out what Canadian immigration program you’re eligible for? Check out our Who’s Eligible For series.
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