IRCC News Updates for the Week of July 20-27, 2025.

Program Delivery Updates

Public Consultations Open on 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan

Status: Open (July 21 – August 17, 2025)
IRCC has launched its annual consultation on the Immigration Levels Plan and is inviting input from the public and stakeholders.
This year’s key policy directions include:

• Reducing the non-permanent resident population to below 5% of Canada’s population by 2027

• Stabilizing permanent resident admissions at under 1% of the population annually after 2027

• Achieving 12% Francophone immigration outside Quebec by 2029

🔗 Read More from IRCC

$3.2 Billion Investment to Support Newcomer Integration & Labour Needs

Announced: July 23, 2025
Over 520 organizations (outside Quebec) will receive federal funding over the next 3 years to deliver regionally tailored settlement services. Key highlights:

• Job-specific and general language training

• Help with professional licensing and certification

• Special support for French-speaking newcomers to integrate into Francophone communities
  This initiative aims to help fill labour shortages in sectors like healthcare and skilled trades, while supporting newcomers’ social and cultural integration.

🔗 Newsroom

Biometric Collection Resumes in Sudan for PR and Resettlement Applicants

Announced: July 24, 2025
IRCC, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has resumed biometric collection in Sudan.
This service will support applicants under:

• Family-based permanent residence programs

• Refugee and resettlement streams

Biometric appointments are available by invitation only. In some cases, medical exams may also be arranged alongside biometric appointments.

🔗 Newsroom

Provincial Immigration News

Alberta Calls for Coordination on Immigration Levels & PGP Intake

Alberta’s Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration has publicly criticized the federal plan to accept 10,000 new PGP (Parents and Grandparents Program) applications in fall 2025.
He warned that this may strain Alberta’s capacity in areas like:

• Health care

• Housing

• Education

• Social services

Alberta is urging:

• A national cap of fewer than 500,000 immigrants annually

• More provincial control over selection

• Better alignment with local infrastructure and economic planning

🔗 Source: Alberta.ca

Quebec Prioritizing Temporary Residents for Permanent Selection (PRTQ)

Quebec has announced that it will prioritize permanent selection (CSQ) applications under the Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ) for the following groups:

• Temporary foreign workers

• International students already living in Quebec

👉 Most decisions will be rendered by December 31, 2025, with final results issued in early 2026.

🔗 Source: Quebec.ca

Quebec Issues First Invitations Under New PSTQ System

Quebec has issued its first round of invitations under the new Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ), focusing on:

• Stream 1: Highly qualified and specialized workers

• Stream 4: Exceptional talent profiles

✅ Priority was given to individuals with:

• French language proficiency

• Local work or study experience

• Occupations in shortage in Quebec

🔗 Source: Quebec.ca