January 29, 2026 Edition
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Your Immigration Updates
Category-based Express Entry draws are meant to fill Canada’s biggest job gaps. But if you’re applying through one of these categories, the question is: will that job still be in demand when you arrive?
This article looks ahead to 2033 using federal job forecast data. Healthcare is expected to stay in high demand for years, and trades could see even bigger worker shortages over time. Education is also growing, especially early childhood educators. STEM jobs aren’t listed as “high shortage” right now, but that can change fast as the economy shifts.
If you’re planning your Express Entry path, this can help you choose a category with a stronger long-term outlook.
A lot of people think choosing an immigration pathway is just about language scores and work experience. It turns out your finances can play a bigger role in your immigration options than many people expect.
Some Canadian immigration programs require proof of funds, meaning you must show you’ve saved enough in your bank account (often for a period of time), and the amount usually increases if you have family members. Other pathways can depend on minimum income, especially for sponsoring relatives or qualifying for certain provincial programs.
In this piece, we explain:
Why savings and income can limit (or unlock) immigration pathways.
How proof of funds works and why it’s taken seriously.
Simple ways newcomers can build a savings buffer, so they have more flexibility if plans change.
Immigration In The Media
A year after the government announced job cuts at Canada’s immigration department, more applications are piling up. Processing is taking longer for many people
About 2.13 million applications are now in the system. Over 1 million are past the department’s target timelines. That means many people are waiting longer than expected. The backlog for citizenship has grown, too. About 23% of citizenship files are now backlogged. That’s up from 17% a year ago.
More cuts may still be coming. Staff were told another 300 positions could be eliminated over the next three years. Executive jobs may also be reduced.
Unions say fewer workers leads to heavier workloads. They say stress and burnout are getting worse, raising concerns that service quality may drop.
The department says delays are not mainly about staffing. It says demand is rising and applications are more complex. It also says some programs have more applications than available spaces.
As a result, it is more important than ever to plan ahead. Expect longer waits, and explore different immigration options available to you.
Money Matters: What You Need to Apply for a Credit Card in Canada
To apply for a credit card in Canada, you’ll usually need at least these three things:
Your identification (ID): passport, national ID card, or driver’s licence
Proof of address: recent utility bill (not older than 6 months), tax assessment, bank statement, or rental contract from your landlord
Proof of income/occupation: job letter or most recent pay slip (or proof of business income if self-employed)
You may also need to book an appointment at a bank branch, sign some paperwork, and then collect your card and set your PIN. Having these documents ready ahead of time can make the process faster and much less stressful.
Career Moves: How to Use LinkedIn to Grow Your Career in 2026
LinkedIn can be a powerful career tool in Canada, even if you don’t want to spend hours on social media. This guide shows you how to use LinkedIn in 2026 in a practical, low-stress way, whether you’re just getting started or ready to be more active.
It breaks LinkedIn into three levels:
Level 1: The Bare Minimum – get the basics right (photo, headline, About section, experience + skills) so recruiters can find you.
Level 2: The Middle User – grow your network with light, consistent activity (commenting, connecting, occasional posts).
Level 3: The Super User – use LinkedIn more strategically (niche content, regular posting, video, Premium tools if it makes sense).
Today's Tip: Should You Buy or Rent a Home in Canada?
Many newcomers hope to buy a home in Canada one day, but renting first can make more sense. This guide explains the pros and cons of renting vs. buying, so you can choose what works best for your life right now.
If you rent, you usually have more freedom to move, and your landlord pays for most repairs. But rent can go up, you can’t change the home much, and renting doesn’t help you build wealth. If you buy, you can build equity over time and have more stability – but you’ll need a down payment (often 5–20%), and you’re responsible for repairs, taxes, and other costs.
Quick tip: Try to keep your rent at 30% or less of your pay before taxes. If your rent is higher, it can be harder to save money for goals like a future down payment.
