October 28, 2025 Edition

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Your Immigration Update

Express Entry Draw 375 just took place. Another steady CEC round with little movement. Our latest analysis breaks down this streak of sameness, the drop in new profiles since June, and what it might say about fading confidence in Canada’s once-flagship immigration system.

Is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program helping or hurting Canada’s workforce? The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) recently set out to separate myth from fact — and the results may surprise you. From “cheap labour” misconceptions to claims that foreign workers steal Canadian jobs, CFIB tackles the biggest myths head-on and offers practical recommendations for the future.

Discover what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what’s missing in the debate.

Thinking about applying through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)? You’ll want to read this first. Ontario just released new enforcement data – with nearly $500,000 in penalties and multi-year bans issued to applicants, employers, and representatives who broke the rules.

Our latest article breaks down what’s behind this crackdown, how the penalties have changed since 2024, and how you can protect yourself from immigration fraud.

Stay informed, stay safe, and keep your path to Ontario on track.

Immigration In The Media

IRCC’s new online processing tool upgrade has sparked concern, and for good reason. While the added transparency around application timelines is a positive step, it also exposes a harsh reality for many applicants: some are facing processing times of more than 10 years.

The tool sheds light on what should be a clearer, fairer system. Yet the staggering wait times raise serious questions about efficiency, capacity, and, frankly, IRCC’s intent. As this CBC article points out, this isn’t just about numbers—real families are caught in limbo, separated from loved ones and living with years of uncertainty.

Did Someone Say Draw

Manitoba held a tiny round last Thursday, issuing only 29 invites.

Alberta issued 89 invites to candidates under the Alberta Express Entry Stream- Accelerated Tech Pathway.

Express Entry draw 374 saw 302 PNP applicants invited.

Money Matters

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) services like Affirm, Klarna and Afterpay are becoming increasingly popular in Canada. According to Payments Canada, 26% of Canadians have used BNPL in 2025. Once viewed mainly as a tool for people with limited finances, it’s now used across all income levels. Many Canadians are turning to BNPL to manage cash flow more strategically — for example, splitting payments for phones, appliances or other big purchases instead of paying everything upfront.

This Globe and Mail article notes that while BNPL can make budgeting easier, it also carries risks. Late fees and limited regulation could create problems for those already facing financial pressure. Still, its growing popularity shows that many Canadians see BNPL as a convenient way to stay flexible with their spending and plan purchases more carefully.

Scotiabank is here to support you through your journey.

Scotiabank has a long history of helping newcomers successfully build their life in Canada. Join the Scotiabank StartRight® Program and get a credit up to $15,000*¹

1. Subject to credit approval. Conditions apply.

Career Moves:

One of the most searched questions about interviews is “What should I ask during an interview?” But today, instead of giving you a list, we’d like to offer some advice that can help you in all your future interviews. Take a step back and ask yourself something deeper: Do I truly want to work here for the next few years? Why? If you’re not sure yet, it simply means you need more information to decide.

The goal isn’t to have a perfect script but to make each interview genuine and unique. Rather than relying on a pre-prepared list, think about what you really want to know. Is something unclear in the job posting? Is there anything about the team, the work environment, or the company culture you’d like to understand better? When your questions come from genuine curiosity, they’ll feel more natural and lead to meaningful conversations—not just rehearsed exchanges. Remember, authenticity stands out more than perfection.

To explore this further, check out the article “The Best Questions to Ask Your Interviewer,” where Christian Sieg shares a fun story about the importance of asking the right questions and offers ideas to help you personalize your own.

Today’s Tip: Stay Grounded About the Immigration Levels Plan

The Immigration Levels Plan always sparks a lot of speculation – who’s in, who’s out, what might change. But try not to get too overwhelmed by this. Focus on what you can control and what makes sense for you – your goals, your timeline, and your next steps. You can’t control how others react, but you can control how you prepare and adjust your plans. And remember – get your information from reliable sources. Don’t make plans based on a Reddit thread.

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