September 3, 2026 Edition
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Your Immigration Update
If your Canadian work permit expires within the next 12 months, now is the time to make a plan. The longer you wait, the fewer options you may have to stay and keep working in Canada.
Here’s what an immigration consultant recommends at each stage:
12 months left: Explore permanent residence options and look for ways to strengthen your profile, such as gaining more work experience or improving your language score.
6 months left: Understand your work permit extension options and speak to your employer early if you may need their support.
1 month left: Focus on protecting your legal status. If you cannot extend your work authorization, you may need to stop working when your permit expires.
Immigration programs and rules can change, but planning early gives you more time to prepare and more options if your first plan doesn’t work out.
Could Canada move away from category-based Express Entry draws? A new RBC report argues that it should.
RBC recommends removing most federal Express Entry categories and returning to a system that puts greater emphasis on candidates with the highest CRS scores. It says provinces should instead take more responsibility for targeting specific labour shortages through the PNP.
The recommendations are not government policy, and IRCC has not announced plans to eliminate category-based selection. However, IRCC is reviewing its priorities for 2027 and has already suggested it could narrow some Express Entry categories next year.
Did Someone Say Draw
IRCC invited 229 physicians with Canadian work experience in the latest Express Entry draw, with a CRS cut-off of 198.
Manitoba issued 683 invitations through the Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway and 58 invitations through the Skilled Worker Stream on August 27.
Immigration In The Media
Ten international graduates in Calgary have reportedly been issued exclusion orders requiring them to leave Canada after immigration status checks were carried out during a protest over refused post-graduation work permits.
The students were protesting after graduates of certain joint public-private college programs were refused PGWPs because their programs were considered “non-credit.” Advocates say around 1,500 graduates may have been affected by the refusals.
More than 250 organizations have now signed an open letter calling for an investigation into the enforcement action. CBSA says it was initially contacted by Calgary police to check the immigration status of people at the protest and that foreign nationals are expected to maintain valid status while in Canada.
The case has raised questions about both PGWP eligibility and the rights of temporary residents to take part in peaceful protests without fear of immigration enforcement.
Money Matters: Ontario Trillium Benefit Payment Coming September 10
The next Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) payment is coming on September 10, 2026.
The OTB is a tax-free benefit that combines up to three Ontario tax credits to help eligible residents with costs such as rent, property tax, energy and sales tax. How much you receive depends on factors such as your income, family situation and where you live.
Newcomers may qualify too. To receive the benefit, make sure you file your 2025 tax return, even if you earned little or no income. You may also need to complete Form ON-BEN to claim certain parts of the benefit.
Career Moves: Find Employers That Have Previously Hired Foreign Workers
Looking for a Canadian employer that has hired foreign workers through an LMIA? Our updated LMIA Employer Search can help with your job search.
You can search by occupation, NOC code, company, province or LMIA stream to find employers that received positive LMIAs in the latest available data.
The tool can be a useful way to identify employers with a history of hiring foreign workers. Just remember that a previous LMIA approval does not mean an employer is currently hiring or will sponsor your work permit. Always check the company’s current job openings before applying.
Today's Tip: Vancouver Rents Are Starting to Stabilize
Vancouver remains Canada’s most expensive rental market, but renters looking for smaller apartments have a little more breathing room than they did a few years ago.
In September, the median asking rent is $2,495 for a one-bedroom, $3,300 for a two-bedroom and $4,980 for a three-bedroom. Prices are unchanged from August, suggesting the market may be starting to stabilize.
While one- and two-bedroom rents have fallen from their 2023 peaks, larger homes are moving in the opposite direction. Three-bedroom rents are now 11.9% higher than a year ago.
If Vancouver is outside your budget, expanding your search to places such as Burnaby, Richmond, New Westminster or Surrey could help you find cheaper options.
