September 1, 2026 Edition
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Your Immigration Update
Canada held a new Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry draw on September 1, inviting 2,000 candidates with a CRS cut-off of 521.
That’s twice as many invitations as the previous CEC draw on August 18, while the cut-off dropped by two points.
CEC candidates have now received 51,250 invitations in 2026, accounting for about 42% of all Express Entry invitations issued this year. However, with more high-scoring candidates entering the pool, CRS cut-offs could remain elevated.
British Columbia’s latest PNP report shows who the province prioritized for permanent residence in 2025. BC used all 6,214 of its available nominations, despite having fewer spots than in previous years.
Some key findings:
Almost 90% of nominees were already living and working in BC.
Healthcare was a major priority, with 1,435 workers nominated in priority healthcare occupations.
38% of Skills Immigration nominees lived and worked outside Metro Vancouver.
Skills Immigration nominees earned a median $41.42 per hour, 27% over BC’s overall median wage.
These trends help explain BC’s 2026 focus on healthcare, construction, regional immigration and high-impact workers.
Immigration In The Media
Canada may need to make further cuts to temporary resident numbers and do a better job tracking when people leave the country, according to the head of an immigration expert panel at the C.D. Howe Institute.
New student and worker arrivals have already fallen sharply, but temporary residents still make up around 6.2% of Canada’s population. The federal government wants to bring that below 5% by the end of 2027.
For prospective newcomers, this adds to signs that Canada is likely to keep temporary immigration levels tight, particularly for international students and workers, as the government works toward its 2027 target.
Money Matters: Is Your Minimum Wage Going Up This Fall?
Minimum wage is going up in seven provinces and territories this fall, meaning more workers will see a pay increase.
The Northwest Territories and Nunavut increase their rates on September 1, followed by Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, PEI and Saskatchewan on October 1.
After these changes, 12 of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories will have increased minimum wage in 2026. Alberta is the only exception, with its rate remaining at $15 an hour.
Career Moves: Job Vacancies Are Rising
Canada’s job market was mostly steady in June, but job vacancies increased. There were 509,100 vacant positions, up 2.8% compared with a year earlier.
Some key trends for job seekers:
Construction added 2,000 jobs in June and employment was up 1.5% compared with last year.
Manufacturing lost 7,200 jobs in June, but job vacancies in the sector were up 17.3% year over year.
Retail and professional, scientific and technical services also had more vacancies than a year ago.
Average weekly earnings reached $1,344, up 3.4% over the past year.
The numbers show that opportunities can vary widely by industry, so it’s worth looking at which sectors are hiring when planning your job search.
Today's Tip: Best Health Insurance for Americans Moving to Canada
Moving from the U.S. to Canada? Your healthcare coverage will depend on your immigration status, where you live and how long you plan to stay.
Provincial healthcare can cover many essential medical services, but it doesn’t cover everything. Prescription drugs, dental and vision care are common gaps, while some temporary residents may need private insurance for most of their stay.
Read more about how healthcare works for Americans moving to Canada, who qualifies for public coverage and how to choose the right health insurance for your needs.
