News. For Newcomers | September 23, 2026

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One of Canada’s largest private language schools, ILAC, has closed after filing for bankruptcy, affecting more than 1,300 students in Toronto and Vancouver.

If you’re affected, what happens next depends on your situation:

Before making your next move, check how changing schools could affect your study plans and immigration status.

Canada’s temporary resident population has fallen for three quarters in a row, after years of rapid growth.

As of Q2 2026, Canada had about 2.78 million non-permanent residents, representing 6.65% of the population. That’s down from a peak of almost 3 million in 2024.

Fewer student and worker arrivals, permit expiries, and temporary residents becoming permanent residents are all contributing to the decline. Canada wants temporary residents to make up less than 5% of the population by the end of 2027, so numbers will need to fall even further.

Our tracker looks at what’s changing and how far Canada still has to go.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has suggested some temporary residents could eventually pay a $1,400 to $1,900 health premium if proposed immigration changes move forward.

Albertans will vote on several immigration proposals in an October 19 referendum, including whether people with temporary immigration status should pay fees to use public health care and education.

The details have not been decided, and Smith said the government would first need a mandate from voters. Alberta currently provides health coverage to some eligible temporary workers and international students.

The Globe and Mail reports that business and opposition representatives have raised concerns about the potential impact of the proposal.

Starting a budget in Canada doesn’t have to mean tracking every dollar you spend.

There are different ways to manage your money. You could try the 50/30/20 method, give every dollar a purpose with a zero-based budget, or save toward your goals first and spend what’s left.

There’s no single method that works for everyone. The best budget is one that fits your lifestyle and that you can realistically stick with.

Not sure where to start? Try a few different approaches and see which one works best for you.

According to Census data highlighted in an analysis, only 44% of recent immigrants with university degrees were working in jobs that matched their education in 2021, compared with 64% of Canadian-born workers aged 25 to 34.

And it’s not the only research pointing to this problem. Recent reports highlighted by Moving2Canada found immigrants are 1.8 times more likely to be overqualified for their jobs than Canadian-born workers. Location and industry can also make a big difference.

For newcomers planning their careers, it’s a reminder to research not only which skills Canada needs, but where your experience is most likely to be put to use.

Read our guide to where newcomers skills are being underused and what this could mean for your career plans in Canada.

Finding your first home in Canada can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re learning how the rental system works at the same time.

Our latest video covers five common renting mistakes newcomers can avoid:

A little research before you start your search can save you money, stress and another move later.