October 6, 2026 Edition
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Your Immigration Update
Ontario has gone more than five months without an OINP draw – the longest gap since its EOI system began in 2021.
A lot has changed during that time. Ontario closed its old streams and launched the new Workforce Priority stream. The new EOI portal opened on August 4, but it hasn't issued any invitations yet.
Here’s where things stand:
Eligible candidates can enter the new EOI pool after their employers register their job offer with the province.
Existing OINP applications are still being processed.
The first Workforce Priority draw is still awaited.
Phase 2 of the OINP redesign has not yet launched.
We expect OINP draws could restart in October, but Ontario has not confirmed a date.
The Parti Québécois (PQ) has won Quebec’s election and is set to form a minority government.
Immigration was a major issue during the campaign, and the PQ has promised to:
Cut temporary immigration by around half.
Lower permanent immigration to 35,000 people per year.
Temporarily select new economic immigrants only from people already living in Quebec.
There are also questions about the future of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). The current intake remains open until October 31, but what happens after that is unclear.
Canada's Population Hits Record High
Canada’s population has reached a record 41.8 million, despite fewer temporary residents. But slower population growth could create economic challenges.
Immigration In The Media
CBC News reports that Canadians born abroad are getting caught in growing delays for citizenship certificates.
IRCC says around 136,000 applications are waiting to be processed, with the current processing time reaching 33 months. The increase follows changes to Canada’s citizenship-by-descent rules, which have led to more applications.
CBC spoke to families who have been separated while waiting for certificates for children born abroad. Without the certificate, some have been unable to get a Canadian passport needed to travel to Canada. With wait times now stretching to nearly three years, IRCC will need to address the growing backlog and find ways to process applications faster.
Think you could qualify for citizenship through a Canadian ancestor? Try our Citizenship-by-Descent Tool. Already applied? Check our IRCC processing times tracker to compare processing timelines.
Money Matters: Toronto Rents Are Rising Again
Toronto rents are on the rise again. Our October update shows median asking rents have increased across all apartment sizes:
1 bedroom: $2,250/month
2 bedroom: $2,750/month
3 bedroom: $3,500/month
Toronto remains one of Canada’s most expensive rental markets, but renters generally have more choice than they did during the peak rental shortage.
Career Moves: More People Are Turning to Side Hustles for Extra Income
More people are relying on side hustles and multiple sources of income as the job market remains challenging and living costs stay high.
And it’s a growing trend. Our own look at the side hustle economy found that nearly one in three people in Canada has a side hustle, with most taking on extra work for financial reasons.
Read our full breakdown of what’s driving the side hustle boom, how much people are earning, and what you need to know about taxes and work permits.
Today's Tip: Mental Health Support for Newcomers in Canada
Starting a new life in Canada can be exciting, but it can also be stressful. Finding work, managing money, adjusting to a new culture and being away from family can take a toll.
Our guide looks at common mental health challenges newcomers may face and warning signs to watch for.
It also explains how mental health care works in Canada, including where to find free or low-cost counselling, crisis support and services in your language.
