Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is making progress on the long-anticipated Municipal Nominee Program (MNP), with new details emerging from an internal 2020 stakeholder consultation memo. The program, initially promised by the Liberal Party in their 2019 federal election campaign, aims to support immigration to […]
Canada Enforces Vaccine Mandate for Air, Rail and Cruise Travel: Key Exemptions and Transition Rules Revealed
Maple News reports that, beginning October 30 at 3 a.m., all travelers aged 12 and older departing from Canadian airports or traveling on federally regulated rail and cruise services must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This policy applies to domestic and international air passengers, VIA Rail passengers, Rocky Mountaineer travelers, […]
Canada Set to Implement Major Changes to Job Classification for Immigration in 2022
Canada is introducing significant updates to its National Occupational Classification (NOC), a central framework that underpins the country’s immigration and foreign worker programs. Maple News reports that the newly revamped NOC 2021 has been officially released and will be adopted across Canada’s immigration system in the fall of 2022. The […]
Sean Fraser Appointed as Canada’s New Immigration Minister Amid Post-Pandemic Recovery Push
Maple News reports that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has unveiled a new federal cabinet, with 37-year-old Sean Fraser taking over as Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. The appointment comes as the country continues its broad efforts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and scale up its ambitious immigration […]
Ontario Pushes Groundbreaking Reforms to Attract Immigrant Talent and Improve Worker Rights
Maple News reports that Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Monte McNaughton, has introduced a major legislative proposal aimed at making the province a more attractive destination for workers—particularly skilled immigrants. Titled the “Working for Workers Act,” the legislation was tabled on October 25 and, if passed, […]
Canada Expands International Travel Access with Reopening of 8 Regional Airports
Maple News reports that Canada is significantly expanding its international air travel network by reopening eight regional airports to overseas flights starting November 30. The move aligns with the country’s growing vaccination rates and builds on the government’s phased reopening of the border. Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announced the decision, […]
Canada Faces Record Job Vacancies as Labour Shortages Deepen
Maple News reports that Canada recorded over 871,000 job vacancies in August — the highest figure so far this year — highlighting an ongoing labour shortage that has surpassed pre-pandemic levels. This marks a notable rise from July, which reported 805,500 vacancies, underscoring ongoing challenges in key economic sectors. According […]
Canada’s Labour Market Shows Steady Gains, But Worker Shortages Persist
Maple News reports that Canada’s job market held firm in October, with a net addition of 31,000 new positions and a continued decline in the unemployment rate to 6.7%—its lowest level in 20 months. This marks the fifth consecutive month of falling unemployment, signaling steady progress toward a full employment […]
Canada Breaks Monthly Immigration Record with 45,000 New Arrivals in September
Maple News reports that Canada welcomed 45,000 new permanent residents in September 2021, marking the highest monthly intake of immigrants in recent Canadian history. This impressive figure signals a significant rebound for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) after pandemic-related setbacks dramatically reduced immigration flows last year. While historic records […]
Canadian MPs Push for Urgent Immigration Reform Amid Growing Backlogs
Maple News reports that prominent members of Canada’s political opposition are calling for swift action to resolve ongoing challenges within the country’s immigration system. In public letters addressed to Immigration Minister Sean Fraser, MPs Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative Party) and Jenny Kwan (New Democratic Party) raised a series of concerns […]
Canadians Continue to Back Immigration, Survey Shows
According to new findings published by the Environics Institute, most Canadians remain supportive of immigration, even after a year marked by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey, conducted through telephone interviews with 2,000 Canadians between September 7 and 23, 2021, reveals that public attitudes toward immigration and refugees […]
Pandemic Triggered Historic Decline in Immigration to OECD Countries, Says Report
According to a newly released report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), immigration flows to OECD countries—including Canada—experienced a record-breaking decline in 2020, marking the steepest drop on record. Maple News reports that this unprecedented dip is directly attributed to global shutdowns and travel restrictions brought on […]
Canada Urged to Rethink Immigration Strategy to Boost Essential Workforce and Support Skilled Newcomers
Canada’s immigration system, long considered a strategic tool for addressing labour shortages, is struggling to keep up with growing demand in essential service sectors. Despite targeted immigration pathways, many of the occupations facing critical staffing gaps — such as in healthcare, transportation, and child care — are not adequately prioritized […]
Canada Expands Accepted Vaccines and Tightens Entry Rules for International Students and Workers
Maple News reports that Canada is implementing a series of updated border measures designed to both ease restrictions for fully vaccinated travellers and tighten requirements for unvaccinated individuals. A major shift will take place starting November 30, when the list of recognized COVID-19 vaccines will be expanded. Canada will begin […]
Canada Ranks Second Globally, Leads in Immigration and Investment Perception
Canada has secured the second spot in the 2021 Anholt-Ipsos Nation Brands Index, marking its highest-ever position in the prestigious global ranking. According to Maple News, the country achieved this milestone thanks largely to its top-ranking reputation in immigration and investment, as well as strong scores across multiple governance and […]
Nearly 1.8 Million Immigration Applications Await Processing in Canada
Maple News reports that Canada’s immigration system is currently facing a significant backlog, with nearly 1.8 million applications pending as of late October 2021. Data obtained from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveals the growing strain on the department as it processes a surge in demand across several immigration […]