News

Major immigration developments across Canada: IRCC’s permanent residence backlog passes one million applications, Alberta moves toward an immigration referendum, Ottawa introduces new asylum claim limits, Express Entry 2026 priority occupations announced, and Quebec faces a growing labor crisis. Full breakdown inside.

Canada Immigration Daily Brief – February 19, 2026. Major Express Entry draw sees CRS drop to 169. Quebec immigration debate intensifies, BC public safety concerns spark reform discussions, and national workforce pressures renew immigration strategy review.

Canada immigration update for February 18, 2026: IRCC issued 6,000 ITAs in a CEC-only Express Entry draw, new graduate student family measures announced, refugee backlog stabilizes near 300,000, asylum seekers face healthcare co-payments, and major Express Entry category changes are expected.

Canada immigration news for Feb 17, 2026 includes a surprise Express Entry draw, increased competition among Alberta, Ontario, and BC PNP pathways, a Federal Court decision on spousal open work permits, asylum system concerns, Quebec healthcare shortages, and major humanitarian application backlogs.

Canada immigration news for February 16, 2026 includes stricter study permit rules, BC PNP issuing 474 invitations, Manitoba skilled worker draw, simplified IEC work permits, and updates on rural immigration pilots. These changes impact temporary residents, PR applicants, and international students.

This week’s Canadian immigration developments reflect a tightening focus on decision-making quality, procedural fairness, and system integrity. Federal Court jurisprudence continues to scrutinize unsupported refusals, conclusory reasoning, and failures to meaningfully engage with evidence—particularly in study permits, Start-Up Visa work permits, misrepresentation findings, and H&C assessments involving the Best Interests of the Child (BIOC). On the policy front, Parliament advanced Bill C-12, while IRCC issued substantial operational clarifications affecting PAL/TAL study permits and Open Work Permits for Vulnerable Workers. Provincially, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia implemented significant program adjustments aligned with labour market priorities and system modernization.

Canada has announced major immigration updates in February 2026, including the new Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), expanded work permit options in Manitoba, easier IEC renewals, and increased competition in BC PNP. These changes affect foreign workers, permanent residence applicants, and provincial immigration pathways.

Canada has announced major immigration updates in February 2026, including the new Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), expanded work permit options in Manitoba, easier IEC renewals, and increased competition in BC PNP. These changes affect foreign workers, permanent residence applicants, and provincial immigration pathways.

Canada’s immigration landscape is facing intensified scrutiny and recalibration. From federal policy tightening and mounting national debate, to Quebec’s evolving stance on the PEQ, controversial deportation decisions, Venezuelan asylum challenges, U.S. visa restrictions affecting Canadian professionals, and Alberta’s major immigration draw, February 11, 2026 highlights a system in transition. Political friction, humanitarian concerns, economic priorities, and regional strategies are converging, shaping what may become a defining chapter in Canada’s immigration policy evolution.

Canada’s immigration landscape is entering a period of recalibration. From mounting pressure to create a permanent residency pathway for Ukrainians under temporary measures, to new IRCC study permit cap guidance for 2026, provincial allocation increases in Ontario, policy pauses in Alberta, and intensified political debate over refugee eligibility, federal and provincial actors are redefining both humanitarian commitments and system controls. Meanwhile, Quebec’s immigration reforms continue to generate controversy, and international ripple effects are emerging as Florida responds to reduced Canadian travel amid immigration uncertainty.