News. For Newcomers | July 21, 2026

Ontario has released the scoring factors for its new Ontario Workforce Priority stream. This update gives applicants their first look at how they’ll be ranked when the Expression of Interest (EOI) system reopens later this summer.

Key changes include:

If you’re planning to apply through the OINP, these new scoring factors could have a big impact on your chances of receiving an invitation.

Canada has introduced a new law aimed at better protecting newcomers and minority communities from hate-motivated crime. The Combatting Hate Act makes it a criminal offence to intimidate or block people from accessing places such as schools, places of worship, and community centres, while also creating new offences for promoting hatred through certain hate or terrorist symbols.

The new law comes after police-reported hate crimes more than doubled between 2018 and 2024. While it does not restrict peaceful protest, political views, or religious teaching, it gives law enforcement stronger tools to respond to hate-motivated crimes.

Our guide explains what the new rules mean, who they protect, and what to do if you experience or witness a hate crime in Canada.

IRCC has issued 2,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a new Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw, with a CRS cut-off of 516

Read our full analysis, to see what this means for CEC candidates, and why we expect Express Entry draws to slow later this year.

Thousands of home care workers who applied for permanent residence through Canada’s dedicated caregiver pathway in 2025 are still waiting for updates from IRCC more than a year later. According to new reporting from The Globe and Mail, many applicants now have expired or expiring work permits and are struggling to remain legally employed while their applications sit in the backlog.

Unlike previous caregiver pathways, applicants under the 2025 Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots are not eligible for Bridging Open Work Permits. This has left many with few options if their current work permit expires. Some have already moved to different provinces or applied through entirely new immigration programs in the hope of staying in Canada.

Quebec has the lowest cost of basic living in Canada, but that doesn’t automatically make it the best choice for every newcomer. While housing and electricity tend to be cheaper, higher income and sales taxes, lower average wages, and your family’s needs can all have a big impact on your budget.

But is Quebec really the best choice for your newcomer budget? The answer depends on more than just the cost of living. Job opportunities, housing costs, transportation, taxes, and childcare can all affect your finances.

Before you decide, compare the true cost of living across Canada and see which province may be the best fit for your budget and lifestyle.

Canada continues to face a shortage of healthcare workers, creating opportunities across the country for both doctors and other medical professionals. Family doctors, nurses, personal support workers, psychiatrists, emergency physicians, pharmacists, and laboratory technologists are among the roles most in demand as Canada’s population grows older and healthcare needs increase.

However, demand does not always mean newcomers can easily enter the field. Healthcare jobs are growing in Canada, but can newcomers actually access them? If you’re planning a career in healthcare or already have experience in the field, it’s important to understand how licensing requirements, credential recognition, and immigration pathways could affect your path to employment.

Canada’s public healthcare system can help keep medical costs low, but it also comes with challenges that every newcomer should know about.

Key things to know:

Our guide explains what to expect and how to prepare for Canada’s healthcare challenges.