News. For Newcomers | May 7, 2026

Canada created the Federal Skilled Trades Program to bring in skilled trades workers, but it never came close to reaching its full potential. Even as Canada continues to face serious shortages in construction, transportation, manufacturing, energy, and other trades.

From 2022 to 2024, only 14 invitations were issued through the program. The problem was not a lack of demand for tradespeople. Instead, the program’s rules made it too difficult for many qualified workers to enter the Express Entry pool. Applicants often needed two years of experience, plus either a Canadian job offer or a Canadian trade certificate.

Canada has since turned to trades category draws, which have invited far more candidates with fewer barriers.

What remains to be seen is whether Canada’s new investments in trades training and efforts to speed up foreign credential recognition will help more skilled trades workers move to Canada and settle permanently. Because without foreign-trained tradespeople, Canada’s labour market gaps will continue for years to come.

Canadian immigration approval rates went down in 2025, according to new IRCC data. The data covers applications processed from January to November 2025 and compares them with past years.

Key points:

Even though approval rates are lower, many programs still approve more than 90% of applications. A complete application with strong documents is more important than ever.

A new poll suggests many Albertans want the province to have more control over immigration. In the survey, 57 per cent of people said Alberta should play a bigger role in deciding who can immigrate to the province. Some supporters say this could help Alberta choose newcomers with the skills needed to fill local job shortages.

CBC News spoke with Albertans who had mixed views on the issue. Some newcomers said the province better understands its own labour needs, including in areas like healthcare, technology, business, and skilled trades. They said immigration should focus on matching people’s skills with jobs that are actually available.

Others were more cautious. Some worried that limiting public services for newcomers, especially during their first year in Canada, could make it harder for them to settle, find work, and build a life in Alberta. Premier Danielle Smith plans to include immigration questions in a provincial referendum this fall.

On May 6, 2026, British Columbia issued 333 invitations under its Skills Immigration stream through the Care and Build categories, targeting workers in health care, veterinary services, early childhood education, and construction.

A financial advisor can help newcomers in Canada understand their money options and make better decisions. They may help with budgeting, saving, managing debt, choosing bank accounts, planning for a home, or saving for a child’s education.

For newcomers, this support can be especially useful because Canada’s banking, credit, tax, and investment systems may be different from what they are used to. A financial advisor can help explain these systems, answer questions, and build a plan based on your goals.

The guide also explains what information you may need to share with an advisor, when it may be worth getting financial advice, and how many people in Canada access this kind of support for free through their bank.

Scotiabank also offers a no obligations meeting with an advisor* to any members of our community who are currently in Canada. 

*While some Scotiabank advisors hold designated credentials or provincial certifications (where applicable), not all advisors are certified financial planners. Titles, credentials, and services vary by advisor role and jurisdiction.

Starting a business may be one path for newcomers in Canada, especially for those exploring alternatives to salaried work. Businesses can create jobs, bring new ideas to the market, and support Canada’s economy. But fewer Canadians are becoming entrepreneurs.

According to Statistics Canada, about one in seven Canadian workers was self-employed at the start of the 2000s. Today, that number has dropped to closer to one in 10. Experts say this means fewer employers, fewer job opportunities, and slower economic growth.

Newcomers are already making a major impact, with immigrants owning around one in four private-sector businesses in Canada. Our guide explains how newcomers can start a business in Canada, including how to validate a business idea, choose the right business structure, open a business bank account, build professional networks, and access support programs designed for entrepreneurs.

Food prices continue to put pressure on Canadian households. According to Dalhousie University’s Spring 2026 Canadian Food Sentiment Index, more than 80% of Canadians said food prices increased more than any other household expense. On average, households are spending $22.96 more per month on food compared to last year, while 34% of Canadians say they are using savings or borrowing money to afford groceries.

The report also found that:

Planning ahead can help you better understand how rising costs may affect your budget. Try our free budget calculator to estimate your monthly cost of living in Canada based on your location, family size, housing, and transportation plans.