July 9, 2026 Edition
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Your Immigration Update
Six months into 2026, IRCC has yet to launch several programs it committed to earlier this year.
Five Express Entry categories identified as 2026 priorities have not seen a single draw, including STEM, which has not had a draw in more than two years
No more information has been released about the H-1B pathway announced in Budget 2025
A new federal entrepreneur pilot was announced but hasn’t been opened. There has been no federal PR pathway for entrepreneurs since the Start-Up Visa Program closed in December 2025
The Parents and Grandparents Program and the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots remain paused with no reopening date confirmed
Manitoba and Saskatchewan had each used roughly half of their 2026 provincial nominee program allocation at the midpoint of the year. Manitoba issued 2,167 nominations between January and May against an annual allocation of 6,239, while Saskatchewan issued 2,628 nominations in the first half of 2026, using 55 percent of its 4,761-space allocation.
Of Manitoba's 2,167 nominations, 697 were enhanced nominations issued through Express Entry
Manitoba also issued 1,833 letters of advice to apply between January and June, with the Skilled Worker Stream accounting for 66 percent
Saskatchewan issued 1,466 nominations to priority sector candidates, using 62 percent of the 2,380 spaces reserved for those sectors
Capped sectors in Saskatchewan have used 718 of 1,190 available spaces. The next intake window starts on September 7
Did Someone Say Draw
On July 9, IRCC issued 5,000 invitations to apply (ITA) for permanent residence to candidates in the French-language category. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required to get an ITA in this Express Entry draw was 420.
Immigration In The Media
Quebec's family reunification backlog is leaving thousands of families in limbo. 42,000 people have been waiting for permanent residence in that category as of May 2026. One Montreal father has been waiting six years for a federal decision on his application, despite receiving Quebec's provincial approval back in 2021. His file has been stuck in security screening ever since, with no explanation from IRCC.
Processing times for family reunification in Quebec are two to three times longer than in other provinces. Quebec's association of immigration lawyers has filed a request with the Federal Court to compel IRCC to address the delays, with a hearing expected later this summer or fall.
Money Matters: The TFSA Overcontribution Penalty
Many newcomers to Canada open a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) assuming the full cumulative contribution limit from 2009 applies to them. It doesn't. Your room only starts adding up from the year you became a Canadian tax resident.
For example: a newcomer who arrived in 2022 but hasn’t made any TFSA contribution yet has $33,500 in available contribution room in 2026, not the $109,000 that long-term residents may have. Contributing beyond your limit triggers a CRA penalty of one percent per month on the excess amount.
Before making any TFSA deposits, log in to CRA My Account to check your contribution room. Our guide walks through how TFSAs work for newcomers and how to make the most of them without facing penalties.
Career Moves: How to Use LinkedIn to Find a Job
Recruiters in Canada actively use LinkedIn to source candidates, and many roles are filled through connections before they are ever posted publicly. A complete, well-optimized LinkedIn profile is often the difference between being found and being overlooked.
Some of the most effective things you can do:
Use a professional headshot and write a headline that clearly states your field and what you are looking for
Tailor your experience section with specific achievements, not just job descriptions
Send personalized connection requests and do not lead with asking for a job
Turn on the Open to Work feature so recruiters know you are available
Post regularly and engage with content from other professionals in your field
Join industry groups to build visibility and stay current on trends in your sector
Today's Tip: Try the 50/30/20 Budgeting Rule
The 50/30/20 rule is a straightforward budgeting framework: 50 percent of your after-tax income goes to needs like rent and groceries, 30 percent to wants, and 20 percent to savings or debt repayment. Summer is a good time to put it into practice. The perfect (and fleeting) summer means spending on patios, travel, and outdoor activities tends to creep up without much notice.
The 30 percent "wants" category gives you a defined amount to spend freely without derailing your savings, or making you feel guilty, so you can enjoy the season without reviewing your bank account with regret in September.
To get started, try our free budget calculator to learn where your money is going.
