News. For Newcomers | August 4, 2026

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Starting today, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is accepting new Expressions of Interest (EOIs). The EOI portal for the Ontario Workforce Priority (OWP) stream is now open.

The OWP stream replaced eight separate OINP streams that closed on June 26. It includes three pathways: Job offer in a TEER 0 to 3 occupation, Job offer in a TEER 4 or 5 occupation, and Self-employed physicians planning to practice in Ontario.

If you had an EOI or job offer registered under one of the old streams and hadn't received an invitation yet, that registration was automatically withdrawn. You'll need to register again under the new stream if you're eligible.

IRCC issued 507 invitations to apply through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on August 4. The minimum CRS score needed to get an invitation was 768.

This is the 15th PNP draw of the year, bringing the 2026 total to 6,957 ITAs so far. Most provinces still have room left in their 2026 nomination allocations, so PNP draws are expected to keep coming at a steady pace.

If your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is sitting around 500, RCIC Rebecca Major says waiting for the cut-off to drop shouldn't be your only plan.

In this article, she breaks down what she tells clients in this position, including how (and when) to maximize your language scores, whether learning French or gaining more work experience will boost your score faster, and other pathways to consider outside regular Express Entry draws.

Most importantly, regular strategy check-ins are recommended, since your best option today may not be your best option in six months.

A new study from Western University shows that immigrant birth rates in Canada have dropped significantly over the past 20 years — from 0.24 births in 2001 to 0.11 in 2021.

20 years ago, immigrants had significantly higher fertility rates than people born in Canada, but that gap has nearly halved now. In fact, newcomers on temporary status, like students and workers, had the fewest children of any group.

Researchers say the drop comes down to things like housing costs, job struggles, and not knowing what their immigration status will look like in the future. They say Canada needs a real plan for its population, not just an immigration plan, if it wants more babies being born.

Managing your money in a new country can be challenging, but avoiding a few common mistakes can make settling in Canada much easier. Building good financial habits early can help you save money, improve your credit, and access more financial opportunities.

Some of the biggest mistakes newcomers make include:

Taking the time to plan ahead and asking questions can help you avoid costly surprises and build a stronger financial future in Canada.

No one knows exactly what the job market will look like in 10 years, but some trends are already clear. As AI grows, the population ages, and Canada builds more homes and clean energy projects, some careers are expected to be in higher demand than others.

The jobs most likely to grow include:

If you’re planning your education or career, building skills in one of these growing fields could improve your job opportunities in the years ahead.

The next Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment arrives August 20, 2026. This tax-free monthly payment from the CRA helps families cover the cost of raising kids under 18. Families can get up to $679.75 a month for each child under six, and up to $573.58 a month for kids aged six to 17, depending on income.

Permanent residents and protected persons can apply right after arriving in Canada. Temporary residents usually need to live in Canada for 18 months first. Our guide explains who qualifies, how to apply, and what to do if your payment doesn't arrive on time.