Weekly Immigration Briefing

Dates Covered: January 12–18, 2026

This weekly briefing provides a detailed and independent overview of the most significant immigration, policy, and legal developments across Canada over the past week. The updates below reflect federal and provincial policy shifts, court decisions, and emerging trends affecting newcomers, temporary residents, employers, and immigration practitioners.

January 12, 2026

• Ottawa faces financial fallout over passport delays
  The federal government is facing potential costs estimated at $42 million following prolonged passport processing delays. The backlog, which affected thousands of applicants nationwide, has led to legal claims and administrative reviews. The issue highlights ongoing challenges in service delivery and accountability within federal departments responsible for travel documentation.

• Ukrainian refugees struggle with prolonged uncertainty
  Ukrainian nationals who sought safety in Canada continue to report emotional, legal, and financial strain as many temporary measures approach expiry. Delays in permanent solutions and unclear long-term pathways have left families uncertain about their future, despite Canada’s public commitment to supporting those displaced by the conflict.

• Tourism rebounds strongly in 2025
  Canada’s tourism sector recorded growth exceeding that of the overall economy in the third quarter of 2025. Increased visitor numbers, hospitality employment, and regional travel demand signal a strong recovery, with immigration and labour mobility policies playing a key role in sustaining the sector’s workforce.

• Low-wage LMIA processing resumes in select cities
  With unemployment rates declining, the federal government has resumed low-wage LMIA processing in eight major urban centres. This move allows employers in eligible regions to once again hire temporary foreign workers for lower-wage positions, while maintaining monitoring mechanisms tied to labour market conditions.

• Toronto protest leads to multiple arrests
  Toronto police confirmed that eight individuals were taken into custody following an anti-immigration demonstration. Authorities cited public safety concerns and unlawful conduct during the protest, reflecting growing social tensions around immigration policy and enforcement.

• Calls for tougher enforcement amid crime concerns
  Winnipeg city councillor Kevin Klein publicly called for firmer immigration enforcement, linking public concerns about crime and community safety to gaps in oversight. His remarks have sparked debate about the balance between enforcement, humanitarian obligations, and integration policies.

• Planning ahead
  Immigration professionals emphasized the importance of aligning immigration goals with career planning, education, and legal status management at the start of the year. Early planning remains critical amid tightening policies and shifting program criteria.

January 13, 2026

• Refugee granted new chance after judicial review
  A refugee claimant received a renewed chance at protection following a successful judicial review, despite having returned to Turkey nearly nine years earlier. The decision underscores the role of the Federal Court in correcting procedural or legal errors in refugee determinations.

• Concerns over Canada’s startup ecosystem
  Policy analysts warned that insufficient support for startup founders and innovators could weaken Canada’s economic competitiveness. Immigration pathways targeting entrepreneurs are increasingly viewed as misaligned with real-world business needs.

• Temporary resident pressure mounts
  Canada is approaching a critical juncture as millions of temporary residents near the expiry of their permits. Without clear transition pathways to permanent residence, this could result in large-scale status loss or forced departures.

• Labour market dynamics shift rapidly
  Demographic pressures, automation, and immigration policy changes continue to reshape Canada’s job market. Employers are adjusting recruitment strategies while workers face evolving credential and language expectations.

• New IRCC guidance on H&C applications
  Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada released updated internal guidance clarifying how Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) factors should be assessed, including establishment in Canada, hardship, and the best interests of children.

• IEC program simplified
  Canadians seeking temporary work opportunities abroad received clearer instructions under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, aimed at reducing confusion around eligibility and application steps.

• Francophone Community Immigration Pilot updates
  New operational instructions were issued to support French-speaking immigration to minority Francophone communities outside Quebec, reinforcing Canada’s bilingual immigration objectives.

January 14, 2026

• Express Entry outlook for 2026
  Immigration analysts project an increase in Express Entry draw frequency in 2026, which may reduce Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off scores to below 500, potentially benefiting mid-range candidates.

• International student permits drop sharply in Manitoba
  Following new federal restrictions, Manitoba experienced a 40% decline in issued international student permits, raising concerns for post-secondary institutions and regional labour pipelines.

• Visa Bulletin insights for February 2026
  Experts reviewed upcoming Visa Bulletin movements, outlining potential impacts on applicants waiting outside Canada under family-based and employment-related categories.

• Ukrainians in the UK seek Canadian clarity
  Ukrainian families currently in the United Kingdom are calling on Canada to provide transparent and accessible immigration options, citing prolonged displacement and uncertainty.

• Is Canada slowing immigration reform?
  Observers are questioning whether Canada’s period of rapid immigration reform is slowing, as policy adjustments become more cautious and targeted.

• Ontario opens doors for foreign-trained doctors
  Ontario’s 2026 OINP update introduces expanded pathways for foreign-trained physicians, addressing long-standing healthcare labour shortages.

• Quebec issues PSTQ invitations

  Quebec launched new Arrima-based PSTQ selection rounds, focusing on candidates with specialized skills aligned with provincial labour needs.

January 15, 2026

• Major NOC overhaul announced
  Significant revisions to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system are expected to affect eligibility for work permits, LMIAs, and permanent residence programs across Canada.

• Memorial University faces uncertainty
  Budget constraints and a tuition freeze have raised concerns among union leaders regarding the long-term sustainability of Memorial University.

• Winter driving guidance for newcomers
  Authorities released comprehensive winter driving guidance aimed at newcomers unfamiliar with Canadian road and weather conditions.

• Worker groups criticize TFW programs
  Labour organizations argue that some temporary foreign worker streams suppress wages and reduce opportunities for Canadian workers.

• US visa freeze impacts 75 countries
  The Trump administration announced a broad halt on immigrant visa issuance affecting 75 countries, reshaping global migration patterns.

• More than 1.4 million work permits nearing expiry
  IRCC confirmed that more than 1.4 million work permits are set to expire by 2026, intensifying pressure on Canada’s immigration system.

• Costly clerical error in Saskatchewan
  A minor administrative error in a work permit reportedly resulted in the loss of a month’s wages and employment benefits for a Saskatchewan worker.

January 16, 2026

• Record permanent resident admissions
  Canada reached a historic milestone, admitting almost 400,000 permanent residents in the previous year.

• Crackdown on unauthorized immigration advice
  Saskatchewan initiated legal proceedings against an individual accused of providing immigration services without a licence, marking enforcement of new provincial legislation.

• Asylum system under strain
  Rising refugee claims and record backlogs at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada are placing unprecedented pressure on Canada’s asylum system.

• Immigrants strongly align with Canadian values
  A national survey revealed strong newcomer support for human rights, diversity, and democratic principles.

• PGWP eligibility frozen for 2026
  Post-Graduate Work Permit eligibility by field of study will remain unchanged through 2026, providing short-term predictability for international students.

• Faster processing for select immigration streams
  IIRCC announced reduced processing times for several key immigration categories, easing delays for applicants.

• Canada intensifies global talent competition
  As U.S. visa movement slows, Canada positions itself as a leading destination for skilled workers.

• Settlement beyond major cities grows
  Federal and provincial policies increasingly encourage settlement in smaller and rural communities to address regional labour shortages.

Legal & Policy Digest

• Judicial review highlights
  Recent Federal Court decisions addressed refusals involving work permits, study permits, LMIAs, spousal sponsorships, super visas, and H&C applications, reinforcing the importance of procedural fairness and reasoned decision-makin.

• Key IRCC policy updates

  • Temporary residence extensions for Ukrainians under family reunification pathways

  • Implementation steps for Francophone and Rural Community Immigration Pilots

  • Updated rules for CUFTA intra-corporate transferees

  • Expanded decision-making authority under IL-3 delegation updates

  • New interview referral guidance for family class PR applications

• Provincial updates

  • Saskatchewan lays first charges under its new Immigration Services Act

  • Yukon Nominee Program confirms 2026 nomination allocations and intake schedule

Important Date to Watch

• February 28, 2026 – Temporary public policy for Iranian nationals in Canada expires

Source: NEXUS Conferences & Canadian media sources

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