July 8, 2026 Edition
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Your Immigration Update
BC PNP issued approximately 2,764 invitations to apply under its Skills Immigration stream in the first half of 2026, against a total nomination allocation of 5,254 for the year. The province narrowed its focus to three priorities in April: health care, construction trades, and high economic impact candidates.
2,089 of the ITAs issued in the first half of 2026 went to High Economic Impact candidates
Targeted draws for healthcare workers and construction trades led to 234 and 249 ITAs, respectively
The Entry Level and Semi-Skilled stream was permanently closed, and planned pathways for international graduates were cancelled
Although there were seven rounds of invitation for the BC PNP Entrepreneur stream, less than 103 ITAs were issued
Even if all the ITAs lead to nominations, roughly half of BC's 2026 nomination room still remains available for the second half of the year
Ontario's provincial nominee program issued 13,663 invitations to apply in the first half of 2026, using nearly all of its 14,119 annual nomination allocation. That activity came to a halt in June when Ontario replaced eight existing streams with a single new Ontario Workforce Priority stream built around job offers.
The Employer Job Offer stream accounted for 11,635 of the ITAs issued, with healthcare and early childhood education candidates receiving the most invitations at 3,302
The Master's Graduate and PhD Graduate streams, which together issued 2,028 ITAs in H1, were permanently revoked as part of the overhaul
Ontario's EOI system is currently closed; existing EOIs that did not result in an invitation will be withdrawn
The new Workforce Priority stream EOI system is expected to open later this summer, with different eligibility criteria from the old streams.
Atlantic Canada's four provincial nominee programs collectively issued more than 6,200 invitations to apply in the first half of 2026, with health care and skilled trades emerging as priority sectors across all four programs.
New Brunswick led the group with 2,352 ITAs across its Express Entry, Skilled Worker, and Strategic Initiative streams
Nova Scotia issued 2,040 ITAs between January and May, and consolidated its PNP program from 10 streams to four
Newfoundland and Labrador issued 1,246 ITAs, putting it at roughly 62 percent of its estimated 2026 allocation — the highest proportion of any Atlantic province at the halfway mark
PEI issued 658 ITAs, with monthly draws scheduled through December
Immigration In The Media
Two Ontario men are facing 12 criminal charges each after an investigation by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) uncovered an alleged scheme that defrauded international students of approximately $126,000. The investigation began after Lambton College in Sarnia flagged suspicious activity to the CBSA in early 2025. Victims were given fraudulent enrollment documents and were never actually registered in the programs they had paid for.
Between April 2025 and March 2026, the CBSA has opened 161 criminal investigations over immigration-related offences.
Money Matters: Nearly One in Three Canadians Has a Side Hustle
About one in three Canadians now has a side hustle, according to a new survey, and for most people it’s not about following a passion. Around 85% said they started their side hustle for financial reasons, with rising living costs, housing expenses, and grocery bills among the biggest drivers.
Selling items online is the most common side hustle, with many Canadians using platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Amazon, and eBay. While most side hustlers earn less than $500 a month, many say the extra income helps cover bills and provides greater financial stability.
If you’re looking for ways to manage rising costs, try our free Budget Calculator to better understand your expenses and plan your finances in Canada.
Career Moves: Why Job Duties Are Not Enough on Canadian Resumes
When writing your resume, don’t just list what you were responsible for. Canadian employers want to see the impact you made in each role. Instead of saying “Managed client accounts,” try something stronger, like “Increased account revenue by 45% in 18 months.”
This makes your experience easier to understand and helps your resume stand out.
Even if your job was not focused on numbers, you can still show results. Maybe you helped reduce wait times, trained new staff, improved customer service, or made a process easier for your team. These details show employers what you achieved, not just what you did.
Read our guide on how to format your resume in Canada for more tips.
Today's Tip: Make Your Goods-To-Follow List While Packing
The logistics of moving to Canada can catch many newcomers off guard. If you are shipping belongings, most companies recommend booking at least six to eight weeks before your move date, especially for international freight.
Items you ship to Canada to arrive after you do can still enter duty- and tax-free, but only if you declare them on a goods-to-follow list when you first cross the border. As you pack, make an itemized list of everything you plan to ship separately and have it ready for customs on landing day. Don’t try to piece the list together on the last day, because you might forget items you’ve packed. Getting multiple shipping quotes is also worth doing well in advance, as prices between providers can vary considerably.
Our trusted partner, The Relocator, has a network of over 500 reputable shipping companies and you can get up to six free quotes for your move.
