Maple News reports that CIC News has reached a significant milestone, celebrating 25 years of delivering trusted, timely information on Canadian immigration. Since publishing its first article on November 30, 1996, CIC News has evolved into a leading digital resource for immigration news and analysis, reaching millions of readers around the world.
The story of CIC News is closely tied to the legacy of CanadaVisa.com, founded in 1994 by the late Attorney David Cohen. At a time when online legal services were in their infancy, Cohen introduced one of the first digital eligibility assessment tools for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. This innovation allowed prospective immigrants to determine their eligibility for Canadian immigration without visiting physical offices—an approach that would shape the future of immigration consulting.
As demand for up-to-date information grew, CanadaVisa’s static content gave rise to CIC News, a dynamic platform designed to track immigration developments across federal and provincial programs. The publication distinguished itself by offering accessible, accurate updates on Express Entry draws, policy shifts, and application backlogs, along with expert insights that helped both immigrants and industry professionals navigate the system.
Over the past two and a half decades, CIC News has grown to publish nearly 4,000 articles, attracting up to two million unique visitors each month. Its readership spans prospective immigrants, immigration lawyers, policymakers, and academics, all of whom rely on its reporting for critical updates and expert analyses.
CIC News has contributed significantly to shaping public discourse. Its work has been cited in government reports and scholarly studies, including the Canadian federal government’s review of how COVID-19 affected immigration outcomes. During the pandemic, the platform played a key role in informing the public about border measures, application freezes, and reopening timelines.
Today, CIC News continues to monitor pressing issues like the growing backlog at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), changes in immigration streams such as Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and the broader socio-economic forces that impact newcomers to Canada.
Looking ahead, the team behind CIC News remains committed to expanding their coverage and serving their diverse readership. Their mission endures: to equip readers with the news and knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their immigration journey.
Maple News congratulates CIC News on its 25th anniversary and recognizes its contributions as a pioneering force in Canadian immigration journalism.