January 16, 2026 Edition
Today’s newsletter is brought to you by our sister site, Outpost Recruitment
This Week in the IEC Pool
We’ve got an updated look at the number of applicants currently in the IEC pools, and it’s climbed to a hefty 43,005, with some countries already carrying serious weight.
With the first round of invitations expected next week, it’ll be interesting to see whether IRCC sticks to its previous trend of issuing high numbers of invites in the first few rounds.
You can find the latest IEC 2026 stats and breakdowns on our updated IEC news page - including a new detailed analysis of ten of the major working holiday programs.
This Week’s Read: A Look at IEC 2026 Quotas
Canada has now released more than half of the IEC country quotas for 2026, and there have already been a few surprises.
As of January 16, official quotas are in place for many of IEC’s most popular countries, including Australia, France, the UK, Ireland, South Korea, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands. So far, the total 2026 quota sits at 47,120 spots, trending noticeably lower than last year.
What stands out so far:
Overall, IEC quotas are shaping up to be around 6,000 spots lower than 2025
Major players like France, UK, Australia and Korea all have a reduced quota compared to last year.
We break down what the early numbers tell us, which quotas stand out, and which major countries we’re still waiting on in our latest IEC coverage.
On Your Radar: The Free Winter Must-Do in Ottawa
If you’re looking for a classic (and budget-friendly) winter activity, keep the Rideau Canal Skateway on your list. The canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and when conditions are right, it turns into a 7.8 km skating route through the middle of Ottawa.
A few highlights:
Free to skate (no ticket needed) – bring your own skates or rent nearby.
Weather-dependent, so it can open/close based on ice conditions (always check the current status before you go).
It’s one of those “only in Canada” moments – skating past bridges, downtown views, and Winterlude energy when it’s on.
If you want to plan it, check the latest Skateway status, access points, and conditions here.
This newsletter is sponsored by our sister site, Outpost Recruitment. Since 2012, Outpost has helped hundreds of IEC participants working in construction and construction engineering find jobs across Canada. If you work in construction or construction engineering, Outpost Recruitment can help you find a job.
IEC Life Hacks: If Your IEC Permit Is Too Short, Ask For A Correction
If your IEC work permit is ending sooner than you expected, it’s worth taking a closer look at your options.
Most IEC permits can’t be extended, but there are a few situations where IRCC allows fixes. This can happen if there was a mistake on your permit, if your passport expired early, or if your job offer didn’t cover the full time you were allowed to work.
If your permit was shortened because your health insurance coverage ended early, you can’t extend it later. That’s why it matters to buy coverage for your full eligible IEC length from the start.
This guide explains when an extension or correction might be possible, and when it’s not. If your IEC end date is coming up, checking now could help you avoid losing time you were meant to have.
Resources, In Case You Missed Them
Whether you’re planning to enter the IEC pool, have an active profile, are waiting for an invitation to apply, or have already applied for or received your IEC work permit, our resources are designed to support you at every stage of your IEC journey:
