Where Immigrants Settled in Canada During 2020—and What Comes Next

Maple News reports that Canada’s immigration numbers took a significant hit in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the country welcoming just over 184,000 permanent residents—well below its original target of 341,000. This marked the lowest immigration level since 1998, triggered by travel restrictions and border closures beginning in […]

Approved But Still Grounded: Canada’s Travel Ban Leaves New Permanent Residents in Limbo

Maple News reports that thousands of newly approved permanent residents remain barred from entering Canada, despite having successfully navigated the country’s rigorous immigration process. These individuals, many of whom were granted Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) documents after March 18, 2020, have passed the required medical, security, and background checks. […]

Northern Ontario Pushes Forward with Strategy to Welcome Newcomers and Revitalize Communities

Maple News reports that rural and northern Ontario communities are mobilizing to counter population decline and foster stronger local economies by embracing immigration and inclusivity. A collaborative initiative, supported by over 100 organizations and 300 participants, laid the groundwork through two key conferences held in February 2020 in Temiskaming Shores […]

Why Canada’s Smaller Cities Are Becoming Immigration Hotspots

Maple News reports that while Canada’s largest cities—Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary—remain popular destinations for newcomers, small to mid-sized cities are experiencing some of the most rapid growth in immigrant populations. A study conducted by Ryerson University reveals that between 2013 and 2019, immigration to smaller urban centres in Canada […]

New Brunswick Stays the Course on Immigration Despite Pandemic Challenges

Maple News reports that New Brunswick remained firmly committed to its immigration goals in 2020, even amid the unprecedented disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to provincial data, New Brunswick issued 2,020 nominations through its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in 2020—nearly identical to the 2,022 nominations granted the previous […]

Canada Expands Pathways for French-Speaking Immigrants Outside Quebec

Maple News reports that Canada continues to take significant steps to attract French-speaking immigrants to communities outside of Quebec, reinforcing its commitment to maintaining the country’s bilingual identity. While Quebec remains the primary destination for Francophone newcomers—with approximately 80% of its population speaking French as a first language—federal and provincial […]

Ontario Overhauls Immigration Intake with New Points-Based System

Maple News reports that Ontario is set to modernize its immigration intake process by introducing a new Expression of Interest (EOI) system for five of its key economic immigration streams. This shift will replace the previous first-come, first-served approach, which was often criticized for being unfair and inefficient. The Ontario […]