September 19, 2025 Edition
Hey there,
We grappled with some questions about yesterday’s trade draw (including eligibility criteria) in our immigration update. Read on to learn all about that, plus Manitoba’s new pilot program, and nab your downloadable to help simplify your job search in Canada.
We hope you enjoy it!
Steph and Rebecca
Your Immigration Update
Trades Draws vs the Federal Skilled Trades Program: What’s the difference? We’ve seen a bit of confusion about this distinction online since yesterday’s trade draw. We wanted to clear that up for you, so we covered it in detail.
The key takeaway is that you don’t need to be eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program to be eligible for a trades draw. They have different requirements, though both can lead to an invitation to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry.
Keen to learn more? Read the full post.
Manitoba’s Pilot Program to Retain Workers opened on September 2, 2025. The employer-driven program is designed to help employers transition current temporary workers in key sectors to permanent resident status, to help the province manage ongoing worker demand and labour shortages. You can learn more about the reasons for the program in our news release, or view the criteria for the program on our dedicated pilot page.
Immigration In The Media
Toronto Star has fact checked claims that temporary foreign workers are driving up unemployment rates. They found that “there’s a decrease in the number of temporary foreign workers who are coming to Canada and then we are simultaneously blaming them for the unemployment rate being higher…”. Read the full article here.
Plus a feel good news story today, Toronto’s green waste recycling is in the news. It’s a groundbreaking program that allows recycling of dog poop, sanitary items, and diapers! It reportedly diverts about 7% of overall waste from landfill. We thought we’d share it here since Toronto is one of Canada’s most attractive destinations for newcomers.
Did Somebody Say Draw?!
Prince Edward Island held a Labour and Express Entry draw, inviting 129 candidates to apply. More here.
Today’s IEC draw invited just under 1,000 candidates to apply for a temporary work permit.
Plus read our insights on the Manitoba and New Brunswick draws we shared yesterday.
Money Matters
More Canadians want to start their own businesses today than in recent years. A recent poll shows that almost 60% of individuals want to own a business, the highest rate since 2017. Even more — 81% — think that owning a business is a viable path to earning a living in Canada.
Are you one of the 60% wanting to own a business? Check out our guide on starting a business as a newcomer in Canada.
Career Moves: Document Your Job Search
Job hunting can quickly become overwhelming, so keeping track of your applications is key to staying on top of follow-ups and deadlines.
Actionable tips:
Create a simple spreadsheet to track applications, company names, job titles, and dates.
Set reminders to follow up on applications after 1-2 weeks.
Customize a template email for easy follow-ups. BUT make sure you don’t send the template email with inaccurate information. It won’t fill your potential employer with confidence that you have good attention to detail.
Pro tip: Timely follow-ups can demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and help you stand out.
Today’s Tip: Don’t Rely on Outdated Information From Strangers on the Internet
If you’re gathering information from online forums, check it against official government sources or run it by your authorized immigration professional.
We regularly see people say “I did X two years ago and it was fine”. The thing is, things change quickly in immigration and what was right two years ago may not work today.
Don’t risk it.
Thanks for reading! We hope you found this helpful.
Talk to you tomorrow,
Rebecca and Stephanie
