Weekly Immigration Briefing

Dates Covered: February 09–15, 2026

This week brought major developments across Express Entry, provincial programs, court decisions, and upcoming immigration deadlines. Several important policy changes and deadlines may significantly affect temporary residents, work permit holders, and permanent residence applicants.

Feb 09, 2026

• Unveiling the Future: North Bay RCIP 2026 Priority Occupation List Signals Fresh Immigration Pathways
• International Students Count Their Blessings After Studying at Memorial
• The Complex Crossroads: Deciding the Fate of War and Disaster Survivors Seeking Refuge in Canada
• Canada Targets Francophone Talent: 8,500 Express Entry Invitations Issued for Permanent Residence
• British Columbia Extends 429 Invitations in Latest Provincial Nominee Draw
• Quebec Introduces Significant Overhaul to Provincial Immigration Program
• Immigration Lawyer Issues Urgent Warning: Immigrants Must Be Proactive About Expiring Work Permits
• British Columbia Legislation Unveils New Framework for International Business and Immigration

Feb 10, 2026

• Uncertain Horizon: Ukrainians in Canada Lack a Clear Path to Permanent Status
• Tories Plan to Block Refugee Claims from Non-Citizens with Criminal Convictions
• Quebec Immigrant Pathway Graduates Discover More Promising Permanent Residency Avenues Beyond Provincial Borders
• Alberta Puts Health-Care Coverage Changes for International Work Permit Holders on Hold
• IRCC Issues New Guidance on Study Permit Cap Implementation for 2026
• Ontario Sets Higher Immigration Sights with Increased 2026 Nomination Allocation
• Quebec’s Immigration Overhaul: Unpacking the New Changes and the Rising Tide of Public Backlash
• Florida Targets Strategic Recovery for Canadian Tourism Ahead of Upcoming FIFA World Cup Season

Feb 11, 2026

• Canada’s Tightened Immigration Policy Sparks National Division: A Deep Dive
• Legault Faces Stumbling Block Over Quebec Experience Program Reversal
• Immigration Minister’s Controversial Decision: Refusal to Deport Knifepoint Robber Sparks Outcry Over Justice System Failures
• The Difficult Journey: Venezuelan Asylum Seekers Face Hurdles in Seeking Legal Entry to Canada
• US Tightens Grip: Is America Shutting Out Canadian Professionals Seeking Work Visas?
• A Strategic Pivot: Christine Fréchette Signals a Change in Direction for the PEQ
• Challenging the ‘Visa King’ System: A Call to Restore Integrity to Canadian Immigration
• Alberta Sets Strong Pace for New Year with Massive Immigration Draw Issuing Over 1,100 Invitations

Feb 12, 2026

• Exclusive Access: Which Countries’ Young Professionals Gain Easier Entry to Canadian Work Permits?
• Federal Court Strikes Down Citizenship in Landmark Immigration Fraud Ruling
• Urgent Call to Action: Patrick Brown Demands Immediate Passage of Bill C-2 to Combat Canada’s Extortion Crisis
• Quebec’s Expedited Immigration Pathway Under Scrutiny: Understanding the Changes and Impact
• Manitoba Announces Major Expansion of Work Permit Options for 16 Priority Occupations
• Canada Announces New Rural Permanent Residency Pathway and RCIP Occupations List for 2026
• British Columbia’s Skills Immigration Pool Approaches 11,000 Mark as 2026 Competition Intensifies
• New Report Highlights Significant Disparities in Support for Manitoba’s Refugees and Newcomers
• Reframing the Narrative: Why Canada’s Future Success Depends on a Reimagined Immigration Debate
• New IRCC Policy Simplifies Permit Renewals for International Experience Canada Participants

Feb 13, 2026

• Canada’s Bill C-12 Signals Stricter Scrutiny for Thousands of Immigrants Seeking Permits and Asylum
• B.C. Issues Substantial Invitations: 460 Invited in Latest Provincial Nominee Program Draw Focused on Economic Impact
• Ontario Students Face Rising Tuition and Reduced Financial Aid Following New Provincial Funding Changes
• Soaring Costs: False Asylum Claims Push Refugee Healthcare Program Near $1 Billion Mark
• Kenney Warns Decades of Damage Loom If Alberta Separatism Is Not Halted
• Growing Anxiety in the Hardware Sector Over Temporary Foreign Worker Shortages
• Comparing Border Agencies: Does the CBSA Mirror the Role of ICE?
• The Complex Realities Behind the ‘Trick Question’ Regarding Immigrant Salaries
• New Brunswick Extends Invitations to 196 Skilled Workers in Latest Provincial Nominee Program Draw

Case Law Trends

Recent Federal Court decisions continue to reinforce important legal principles regarding procedural fairness, officer reasoning, and application delays.

Key Decisions

• Humanitarian and Compassionate – Begum v. Canada, 2026 FC 197
  H&C refused for an 85-year-old applicant living with Canadian family. Court found hardship assessment lacked transparency and failed to consider personal circumstances. JR granted.
• OINP / Mandamus – Luo v. Canada, 2026 FC 181
  PR application delayed 45 months due to security screening. Court found delay excessive and unjustified. Mandamus ordered requiring IRCC to finalize within 90 days.
• Humanitarian and Compassionate – Roman v. Canada, 2025 FC 1183
  H&C refused despite long establishment and BIOC factors. Court found officer’s assessment reasonable. JR dismissed.
• Spousal Sponsorship / Procedural Fairness – Sandhu v. Canada, 2026 FC 212
  Refusal issued before expiry of procedural fairness response period. Court found breach of fairness. JR granted.
• Temporary Resident Visa – Shahriari v. Canada, 2026 FC 213
  TRV refused despite strong home country ties. Officer failed to properly assess evidence. Court found reasons unreasonable. JR granted.
• Study Permit – Taryan v. Canada, 2026 FC 169
  Study permit refused due to questioned study purpose. Officer ignored study plan and supporting evidence. Court found assessment unreasonable. JR granted.
• Open Work Permit / Spousal Eligibility – Zarate v. Canada, 2026 FC 133
  OWP refused because spouse had not yet begun eligible studies. Court confirmed eligibility must exist at time of decision. JR dismissed.

IRCC Program Delivery Updates

Open Work Permit (TR to PR pathway) — Updated Guidance (February 13, 2026)

IRCC introduced important clarifications:

• Added new refusal criteria guidance

• Confirmed certain family members applying from outside Canada may apply without holding temporary status at submission

This improves clarity for applicants and representatives.

Read more

International Experience Canada (IEC) — Work Permit Printing Extension (February 10, 2026)

IEC participants already in Canada may continue applying for subsequent IEC work permits from within Canada without leaving the country.

This policy remains in effect until further notice.

Read more

Regulatory Updates (Canada Gazette)

Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations Amendments — February 11, 2026

Technical regulatory amendments include:

• Clarification of electronic submission requirements

• Alignment of English and French legal text

• Confirmation of fee caps:

  • Maximum $500 combined fee for family applications

  • Maximum $465 fee cap for performing artists and staff

These amendments came into force January 30, 2026.

Read more

Updated IRCC Forms

CIT 0001 — Application for Citizenship Certificate

IRCC released updated instructions and form requirements for citizenship certificate applications.

Applicants should ensure they use the latest version.

Read more

Latest Draws (Provincial Nominee Programs)

British Columbia – Skills Immigration – February 11, 2026
460 invitations issued. Minimum score: 135.

Manitoba – Skilled Worker Stream – February 12, 2026
29 invitations issued. Minimum score: Not published.

New Brunswick – Skilled Worker Stream – February 11, 2026
196 invitations issued. Minimum score: Not published.

Important Upcoming Dates

• February 24, 2026 – Bill C-12 committee report deadline
  Final Senate committee report due for the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, after which the bill proceeds to third reading.

• February 28, 2026 – Temporary Public Policy for Iranian nationals in Canada ends

• March 31, 2026 – CUAET temporary public policy expires

• March 31, 2026 – Northwest Territories Nominee Program work-permit eligibility extension expires

Assessment Form: Click here