Canada Immigration Daily Update – January 28 2026
Canada Immigration Daily Update – January 28 2026
Canadian Immigration Daily Brief – January 28, 2026
Canada’s immigration system is under intensifying strain as growing application backlogs collide with plans for further federal job cuts at IRCC. At the same time, provinces are tightening cost structures—most notably British Columbia’s fee hike for Skills Immigration—while Ottawa signals new supports for newcomers through a planned 2026 “Groceries and Essentials” benefit of up to $950. Politically, immigration policy is facing pressure on multiple fronts: international criticism over intake levels, a sharp Quebec–Montreal standoff on provincial control, and looming reforms to refugee healthcare coverage under the Interim Federal Health Program. Together, today’s developments highlight a widening gap between Canada’s ambitious immigration targets and the administrative, financial, and social systems meant to support them.
Immigration Nightmare: Backlogs Surge as Ottawa Plans Further Job Cuts
Canada’s federal immigration system is facing mounting operational pressure as application backlogs continue to expand, even as the government prepares to eliminate an additional 300 processing positions. This development comes barely a year after earlier staffing reductions, which many analysts now link directly to worsening delays across permanent residence, citizenship, and temporary visa streams.
Internal data and stakeholder feedback indicate that processing times have slowed significantly, affecting individuals, families, and employers dependent on predictable immigration decisions. Critics argue that reducing staff while maintaining high intake targets creates a structural mismatch between policy ambition and administrative capacity.
If the proposed cuts proceed, experts warn the backlog—already described as severe—may grow to unsustainable levels, undermining public confidence in the immigration system and Canada’s reputation as a reliable destination for global talent.
BC PNP Announces Major Fee Increase for Skills Immigration Stream
British Columbia has confirmed a substantial application fee increase for its widely used Skills Immigration stream under the BC Provincial Nominee Program. The adjustment affects thousands of skilled workers seeking provincial nomination as a pathway to permanent residence.
Provincial officials frame the increase as a response to high application volumes and rising administrative costs, positioning it as a necessary step to maintain program sustainability. However, the higher fees add to an already significant financial burden for applicants, potentially influencing destination choices for skilled migrants.
Applicants are strongly advised to verify updated fees directly through official BC PNP channels before submitting new or pending applications to avoid delays or refusals tied to incorrect payments.
New Federal “Groceries and Essentials” Benefit to Launch in 2026
Ottawa is preparing to roll out a new federal financial support initiative aimed at newcomers, informally referred to as the “Groceries and Essentials” benefit. Scheduled for implementation in 2026, the program is expected to provide eligible recipients with up to CA$950 to offset the high cost of basic necessities.
While full eligibility criteria and delivery mechanisms have yet to be published, the initiative reflects growing federal recognition of the financial pressures faced by new arrivals during their initial settlement period. Immigration professionals are closely monitoring forthcoming guidance to understand how this benefit may intersect with existing newcomer support programs.
Israeli Minister Labels Canada’s Mass Immigration Policy “Reckless”
In an unusually direct international intervention, Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs publicly criticized Canada’s mass immigration approach, calling it “reckless.” The remarks place Canada’s record-high immigration targets under global scrutiny and elevate what has largely been a domestic policy debate onto the international stage.
Although Ottawa has defended high intake levels as economically necessary, critics—both domestic and international—are increasingly raising concerns about housing shortages, infrastructure strain, and social cohesion. Diplomatic observers are now watching for an official response from the Canadian government.
Quebec Rejects Montreal’s Immigration Requests, Deepening Political Rift
Quebec’s provincial government has delivered a firm rejection of immigration proposals put forward by the City of Montreal, reinforcing its centralized control over immigration levels and selection. The decision highlights ongoing tension between municipal integration realities and provincial policy priorities.
While Montreal argues that labor shortages and settlement pressures require greater flexibility, the provincial government maintains that uniform immigration targets are essential to protecting Quebec’s linguistic and cultural balance. The standoff underscores the complexity of managing immigration within Canada’s shared federal–provincial framework.
Major Changes Coming to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP)
The federal government has announced that significant reforms to the Interim Federal Health Program will take effect in May 2026. The IFHP provides temporary healthcare coverage to refugee claimants, protected persons, and other vulnerable groups.
Although details remain limited, the extended lead time suggests major administrative or coverage adjustments. Settlement agencies, healthcare providers, and provincial authorities are expected to begin preparatory planning well ahead of implementation.
Canada’s Population Projected to Exceed 57 Million by 2075
Long-term demographic projections indicate Canada’s population could surpass 57 million by 2075, driven primarily by sustained immigration. Growth is expected to concentrate in a small number of provinces, reshaping economic power, infrastructure demand, and political representation.
The projections highlight the urgency of coordinated planning in housing, healthcare, and transportation to prevent long-term systemic strain.
Immigrants Share a “Front-Seat View” of Life in Canada
A new feature by New Canadian Media, titled “Driving Canada,” offers firsthand perspectives from immigrants navigating settlement, work, and community life. The piece emphasizes active participation rather than passive integration, highlighting both challenges and contributions.
By centering immigrant voices, the feature adds critical human context to ongoing policy debates and reinforces the importance of lived experience in shaping Canada’s immigration future.
Source: NEXUS Conferences & Canadian media sources
Assessment Form: Click here
