Canada immigration news
Plain-language updates on the changes that affect students, workers, and PR applicants — each linked to its official source. Verify anything time-sensitive against the primary source before you act.
BREAKING: Ontario opens intake for new permanent residence pathway
Ontario has opened intake for its new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS), a provincial nominee program pathway launched on August 4, 2026, that includes streams for higher-skilled workers, lower-skilled workers, and self-employed physicians.
- The OWPS opened for intake on August 4, 2026, after launching on June 25, 2026 without an active portal
- Three pathways are available: higher-skilled workers, lower-skilled workers, and self-employed physicians registered with Ontario's health insurance program
Ontario unveils scoring system for new permanent residence pathways
Ontario has released details on how it will score and rank candidates applying for permanent residence through three new pathways under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), with the highest-scoring applicants prioritized for nomination under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.
- Candidates under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream can earn up to 130 points based on multiple criteria
- Regional location matters: Northern Ontario offers up to 15 points, while Toronto offers 0 points
Alberta invites over 1,100 candidates to apply for provincial nomination
Alberta's Provincial Nominee Program (AAIP) issued over 1,100 invitations to apply for provincial nomination across six draws between July 3–15, 2026, with a focus on healthcare, law enforcement, and technology workers, as well as rural settlement candidates.
- Between July 3–15, 2026, Alberta conducted six draws issuing no fewer than 1,167 invitations to apply for provincial nomination
- The draws targeted healthcare, law enforcement, technology occupations, and candidates planning to settle in rural Alberta
British Columbia holds largest provincial immigration selection round this year
British Columbia held its largest Provincial Nominee Program selection round of 2026 on July 16, inviting 569 candidates under its Skills Immigration stream through either registration score or job offer criteria.
- 569 candidates invited on July 16, 2026 under BCPNP Skills Immigration
- 346 invitations based on registration score (minimum 132 points); 223 based on TEER 0–3 job offers at $58/hour or higher
Nova Scotia expands nominations to target workers with expiring permits
Nova Scotia has launched a one-time initiative to issue provincial nominations to workers currently in the province whose work permits are expiring in 2026 or earlier, provided they submitted expressions of interest by June 30, 2026.
- Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is targeting workers with expiring or expired work permits through a one-time initiative
- Eligible candidates must have active expressions of interest submitted on or before June 30, 2026, and work permits expiring in 2026 or earlier
Quebec issues invitations for permanent selection through PSTQ
Quebec's Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration held a selection round on July 3, 2026, under its Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ), issuing 501 invitations to provincial candidates across four skill streams.
- 501 total invitations issued in the July 3, 2026 PSTQ draw
- Stream 2 (intermediate and manual skills) received the majority with 289 invitations
Saskatchewan SINP Overview: Program Information and Resources Available
Saskatchewan's Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) provides multiple pathways for international skilled workers to immigrate to the province. The program offers eligibility assessment tools, language requirements information, and application guidance.
- SINP has multiple sub-categories under the International Skilled Worker program
- Applicants can use a points grid to assess eligibility
British Columbia issues invitations to skilled workers in priority care and construction occupations
British Columbia's Provincial Nominee Program issued 343 invitations in a July 9 draw targeting skilled workers in care and construction occupations. The selection prioritized childcare educators, healthcare professionals, veterinary workers, and construction trades.
- BC issued 343 invitations across care (childcare, healthcare, veterinary) and construction trades occupations
- This was the eighth Skills Immigration draw of 2026 and the 15th round overall
Ontario closes all 8 OINP streams and launches Workforce Priority
On June 26, 2026 Ontario closed its eight existing OINP streams and introduced a new Workforce Priority stream that requires a job offer.
- Ontario permanently closed all 8 of its old OINP streams on June 26, 2026, including the Masters Graduate and International Student streams.
- One new stream — Ontario Workforce Priority — replaces them, built around having a qualifying job offer rather than a degree alone.
Important Update for Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program - International Education Stream (IES) – Career Employment Pathway (CEP) Candidates
Manitoba has updated its Provincial Nominee Program International Education Stream (IES) Career Employment Pathway (CEP), transitioning candidates with six months of Manitoba work experience to the Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway for future selection.
- CEP candidates with active EOI profiles and at least six months of Manitoba work experience are invited to transition to the Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway
- The change aims to improve alignment between education, work experience, and labour-market needs
Important Update for Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program – International Education Stream (IES) – Career Employment Pathway (CEP) Candidates
Manitoba has restructured its International Education Stream Career Employment Pathway, moving eligible international graduates into the Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway for future selection in EOI draws.
- International graduates with active CEP profiles and at least six months of Manitoba work experience are invited to transition to the Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway
- The change aims to improve alignment between education, work experience, and labour-market needs
BC PNP drops graduate and tech streams, refocuses on healthcare and trades
British Columbia restructured its PNP around a Care / Build / Innovate model, permanently closing the graduate, tech-priority and entry-level streams.
- BC closed its International Graduate, International Post-Graduate, Priority Tech, and Entry Level/Semi-Skilled streams.
- The 2026 program is rebuilt around three pillars: Care (healthcare), Build (nine designated construction trades), and Innovate (high-economic-impact roles).
Alberta introduces a $135 Worker EOI fee
As of April 7, 2026, Alberta charges a $135 CAD fee to submit a Worker Expression of Interest to the AAIP.
- A $135 CAD fee now applies to every AAIP Worker Expression of Interest submission, effective April 7, 2026.
- Alberta launched an Eligibility Explorer tool (June 17, 2026) to help match workers/employers to the right AAIP stream.
General information, not legal or immigration advice. Immigration rules change often — for your situation, consult a licensed RCIC or immigration lawyer, and always confirm details on the official source linked in each item.