Maple News reports that international students in Canada can now earn a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) even if they completed 100% of their studies online — a major shift in Canada’s immigration policy introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a move to support international graduates amidst global travel […]
B.C. Expands Immigration Pathway to International Students Who Studied Remotely
Maple News reports that British Columbia has updated its Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) to better reflect the realities international students faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of February 2, the province now allows applicants to be eligible for its international graduate immigration streams even if up to 50% of […]
Atlantic Immigration Program Boosting Long-Term Immigrant Retention, Maple News Reports
Maple News reports that the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) is making significant progress in helping Atlantic Canada attract and retain immigrants—a long-standing challenge for the region. A new evaluation by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) covering the period from the program’s 2017 launch through the 2019–2020 fiscal year suggests […]
Canada Tightens COVID-19 Testing for All Incoming Travellers
Maple News reports that Canada has implemented strict COVID-19 testing regulations for all international travellers aged five and over. Effective since February 22, these measures require all incoming travellers to present a negative COVID-19 test result before entering the country, regardless of their vaccination status. Travellers must provide proof of […]
Canada Announces Government-Approved Hotels for Mandatory Airport Quarantine
Maple News reports that the Canadian government has released an official list of hotels approved to accommodate international air travelers for the mandatory quarantine period. As of February 22, all passengers arriving by air in Canada are required to take a COVID-19 test upon landing and quarantine in one of […]
Canada Extends International Travel Restrictions Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Concerns
Maple News reports that Canada is extending its international travel restrictions in response to continued concerns over COVID-19 and the emergence of new variants. Travelers from the United States will see border measures extended until March 21, while restrictions for all other international visitors will remain in effect until at […]
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 […]
Canada Poised to Hit Ambitious Immigration Target Despite Pandemic Challenges
Maple News reports that Canada is well on track to reach its 2021 immigration target, despite the ongoing global health crisis. According to Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino, the country admitted 26,600 new permanent residents in January — a 10% increase over the same month in 2020, just before nationwide lockdowns […]
Canada Reopens Select IEC Pools for 2021, Offering Young Adults a Path to Work and Travel
Maple News reports that Canada will reopen pools for the International Experience Canada (IEC) program on March 1, 2021, for select partner countries. This initiative offers young adults from countries with reciprocal youth mobility agreements the chance to work and explore life in Canada. The IEC program has three distinct […]
Canada’s Business Council Urges Budget Focus on Skilled Immigration for Economic Recovery
Maple News reports that the Business Council of Canada has issued a strong call to action ahead of the federal budget, urging policymakers to prioritize skilled immigration and workforce development as key pillars of Canada’s long-term economic growth and recovery. In an open letter addressed to Deputy Prime Minister and […]
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. […]
Quebec Launches Overseas Recruitment Drive to Combat Nursing Shortage
Maple News reports that the province of Quebec is stepping up its international recruitment efforts in response to a growing shortage of nurses and healthcare workers. With local resources stretched thin, the Quebec health network plans to hire over 1,700 nurses and more than 200 orderlies from abroad in the […]
Quebec Unveils Three New Immigration Pilot Programs to Address Labor Shortages
Maple News reports that the province of Quebec is launching three new pilot immigration programs targeting workers in key industries facing labor shortages. The announcements were made by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) on March 3, and the pilots are set to roll out […]
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 […]
Canada’s Labour Market Shows Strong Recovery in February, Unemployment Hits Pandemic Low
Maple News reports that Canada’s job market experienced a noteworthy rebound in February, recouping nearly all the employment losses suffered during the previous two months. Employment rose by 259,000 during the month, a strong recovery following a combined loss of 266,000 jobs in December and January, according to Statistics Canada’s […]
Middle Managers Play Critical Role in Immigrant Workplace Inclusion, New Report Reveals
Maple News reports that middle managers hold the key to creating welcoming, inclusive work environments for immigrants in Canada. A newly released report by the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC), titled ‘Make or Break: How middle managers and executives can build immigrant-inclusive teams’, highlights the pivotal position of middle […]