News. For Newcomers | January 6, 2026

Express Entry in 2025 was a bit of a rollercoaster. There were no general draws at all, which surprised a lot of people. Instead, IRCC focused on CEC, PNP, and category draws, and the timing wasn’t always predictable.

Here are a few quick takeaways from the year:

If you’ve felt confused by scores, gaps between draws, or changing priorities, this year-end review lays it out clearly. To be ready for 2026, check if you qualify for category draws, work on your language scores, and keep PNP options in mind too. If one stream slows down, having another plan can keep your PR goal moving forward.

If you’re applying to immigrate to Canada or even for some work or study permits, you may need an immigration medical exam. This exam must be done by an IRCC-approved panel physician, not your regular doctor.

Here’s why it matters: Canada can refuse an application if someone’s health condition could cost the public health system too much. For 2026, the threshold numbers have just been updated. The “excessive demand” limit is now $28,878 per year (or $144,390 over five years). If treatment is expected to cost more than that, it could be a problem.

Good to know: this cost limit doesn’t apply to sponsored spouses, sponsored children, or refugees.

If you’re unsure whether you need a medical exam, it’s worth checking early. A medical exam can affect how fast your application is processed, since IRCC may not move forward until they receive your results.

A student at Dalhousie University in Halifax had her study permit extension refused because IRCC said her Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) was missing. Later, IRCC confirmed the PAL was already in her file. They approved her permit after she asked them to review the decision.

The PAL is a letter that shows your province has approved your study spot. It became a key document after Canada brought in caps on international students. Without it, IRCC may refuse your application.

It’s a good reminder that mistakes can happen, even when you submit everything correctly. If your application is refused for a “missing” document, check what you uploaded and ask for a reconsideration right away. And when you apply, make sure your PAL is included and clearly labelled if it is a requirement for your application.

Manitoba invited 421 on December 31 through skilled worker streams, including health occupation-focused invitations.

Plus, in case you missed it, we saw the first Express Entry draw for 2026 yesterday – a Provincial Nominee Program draw on January 5.

And if you need guidance on building a brighter financial future in Canada, a Scotiabank Advisor can help. Book a free appointment below to get started.

Good news for workers in Nova Scotia: minimum wage is set to rise two times in 2026, reaching $17/hour by October. It will increase from $16.50 to $16.75 on April 1, then to $17.00 on October 1.

The province says the goal is to help workers keep up with the cost of living, while giving businesses more time to adjust. Minimum wage earners in Nova Scotia are most likely to work in retail, restaurants, and hotels, and many are not teens – 38% are over 30, and 41% work full-time.

If you’re job hunting in Nova Scotia, this is a helpful update to keep in mind when comparing wages and offers.

Curious about Canada’s minimum wages more broadly? We have a page covering Canada’s minimum wage in detail that’s worth checking out.

A new survey shows many Canadian employers expect hiring to be tougher in early 2026. They’re being more cautious with new hires. But here’s the twist: more than one-quarter of companies still have jobs they can’t fill.

The biggest reason? Applicants don’t have the right experience or skills. In fact, 49% of hiring managers say candidates are missing relevant experience, up 45% from last year.

Even in a slower market, employers are still hiring, but they’re being pickier. This is a good time to:

Want to stand out in a crowded job market? Use our Canadian Resume Guide to make sure your resume is formatted the right way and matches what employers are looking for.

If you’re having trouble accessing IRCC online services, we might know why. IRCC ran scheduled maintenance over the weekend, and that can sometimes cause glitches with their online services.

IRCC recommends clearing your browser’s cache. After you’ve cleared the cache, refresh the page and try again – it often fixes the issue right away.

Here’s the IRCC’s information on why you may need to clear your browser cache and when to do to (hint: the answer is regularly!).