Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) allocated over $1.7 billion in the 2021–2022 fiscal year to support immigrant settlement and integration across the country. This figure is part of Canada’s broader goal to facilitate newcomer success and represents nearly half of IRCC’s total operational budget. An […]
IRCC Completes Record-Breaking 2021 Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Lottery
Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially concluded its 2021 lottery for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), issuing 30,000 invitations to potential sponsors between September 23 and October 4, 2021. This marks the largest draw in the program’s history, reflecting backlog adjustments prompted by […]
Canada Continues Immigration Momentum with Nearly 38,000 Newcomers Welcomed in August 2021
Maple News reports that Canada welcomed 37,780 new permanent residents in August 2021, maintaining a strong upward trend in immigration levels for the third consecutive month. This sustained momentum follows 40,000 newcomers in July and nearly 36,000 in June, considerably higher than pre-pandemic monthly averages of 25,000 to 35,000. These […]
Canada to Require Full COVID-19 Vaccination for Air, Rail, and Cruise Travelers Starting October 30
Maple News reports that the Canadian federal government will soon implement mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements for travelers using key transportation services. Beginning October 30, all passengers aged 12 and older boarding domestic or international flights departing from Canadian airports, VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains, or cruise ships on voyages […]
Canada Reports Record-Breaking Job Vacancies in Q2 2021 Amid Labour Shortages
Maple News reports that Canada experienced its highest recorded job vacancy rate in the second quarter (Q2) of 2021, signaling intensified labour shortages across multiple sectors. According to the latest data from Statistics Canada, the national job vacancy rate rose to 4.6%—the highest rate since this metric was first tracked […]
Canada Unveils National COVID-19 Vaccination Passport for International Travel
Maple News reports that Canada is launching a standardized national COVID-19 vaccine passport to support safer and more seamless international travel. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced the initiative during a press briefing in Ottawa, highlighting the federal government’s efforts to streamline vaccination verification for Canadians traveling abroad. Canadians who are […]
Your Guide to Getting a Canadian Work Permit: What You Need to Know
Maple News reports that Canada continues to be a top destination for international professionals, issuing hundreds of thousands of work permits every year. This commitment stems from Canada’s strategic aim to attract global talent to meet labour shortages, enhance innovation, support family reunification, and foster international relationships. To facilitate this, […]
U.S. Land Border to Reopen for Vaccinated Canadian Travelers Starting November 8
Maple News reports that the United States will officially reopen its land and ferry borders to fully vaccinated travelers from Canada beginning November 8, marking the end of a 19-month shutdown due to COVID-19 restrictions. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed that this policy shift aligns with broader changes […]
Canada’s Labor Market Nearly Fully Recovers with Job Surge in September
Maple News reports that Canada’s job market made significant strides in September, adding 157,000 jobs and bringing the national employment rate close to pre-pandemic levels. According to Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey for the week of September 12–18, the employment rate reached 60.9%, just 0.9 percentage points below February 2020 […]
Canada to Resume Direct Flights from Morocco with Updated Entry Requirements
Maple News reports that Canada will lift its suspension on direct flights from Morocco, starting October 29 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time. The decision comes as COVID-19 case numbers stabilize and travel safety protocols evolve. With this change, travelers from Morocco can once again fly directly to Canadian destinations, provided […]
Ontario Moves to Eliminate Canadian Work Experience Requirement for Foreign-Trained Professionals
Maple News reports that the Ontario government is proposing groundbreaking legislation aimed at reducing employment barriers for internationally trained workers. If passed, the new law would remove the long-standing requirement for Canadian work experience when applying for licensing in many regulated professions. This legislative shift targets roles outside the healthcare […]
IRCC Moves Closer to Municipal Nominee Program Rollout After Stakeholder Review
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, […]