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 […]

IRCC Updates Processing Timelines Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Delays

Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its processing timelines to reflect ongoing delays resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. IRCC continues to operate at full capacity, but the department acknowledges that backlogs remain across multiple application streams due to pandemic-related disruptions. The department is giving […]

G7 Nations Move Toward Unified Vaccine Passport Framework

Maple News reports that health ministers from the G7 countries—Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and Japan—have agreed to begin collaborative work on a standardized vaccine passport system. The initiative is part of a broader effort to facilitate safer international travel as global COVID-19 vaccination campaigns […]