Maple News reports that Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marco Mendicino, has reaffirmed the federal government’s strong commitment to immigration despite the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent interview aired on the Canadian program The Agenda, Mendicino discussed how Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is adapting to […]
Canada Launches New 18-Month Open Work Permit for Expiring PGWP Holders
Maple News reports that effective today, Canada has opened applications for a new one-time open work permit targeting former international students whose Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) are expiring or have recently expired. The initiative, announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), allows eligible applicants to receive an open work […]
Canada Introduces Stricter Border Measures to Curb Spread of COVID-19 Variants
Maple News reports that Canada has introduced sweeping new travel restrictions aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19 and its highly contagious variants. The announcement, made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, follows increasing calls from provincial leaders to tighten border controls and discourage non-essential travel. Effective January 31, Canada’s major […]
Canada and Ukraine Launch New Partnership to Expand Immigration and Youth Mobility
Maple News reports that Canada and Ukraine have formalized a new agreement aimed at enhancing immigration pathways and mobility between the two nations. The Canada-Ukraine Mobility Working Group, announced by Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino, is designed to strengthen immigration collaboration and offer more avenues for Ukrainian nationals to come to […]
Newcomers to Canada Saw Record-High Entry Wages in 2018, Driven by Experience and Education
Maple News reports that newly arrived immigrants to Canada earned the highest median entry wage on record in 2018, marking a significant milestone in Canada’s immigration and labor market trends. According to recent data released by Statistics Canada, immigrants who were admitted in 2017 reported a median income of $30,100 […]
Canada Extends COVID-19 Testing Requirements at U.S. Land Border
Maple News reports that starting February 15, Canada will implement stricter COVID-19 testing measures at land border crossings, requiring travellers to present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to entry. The move mirrors existing protocols already in place for air travellers and aims to curb the spread […]
Canada Saw Sharp Drop in Immigration in 2020 Amid Pandemic Disruptions
Maple News reports that Canada welcomed 184,370 new permanent residents in 2020, marking a significant decline in immigration levels due to global disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This figure represents the lowest number of new immigrants admitted to Canada in over two decades, dating back to 1998 when just […]
American Man Sentenced for Using Forged Documents to Enter Canada Under False Pretenses
Maple News reports that an American citizen has been sentenced for attempting to enter Canada using falsified documents during the COVID-19 border restrictions. The individual, whose identity remains undisclosed, pleaded guilty to immigration misrepresentation in a Brockville, Ontario court on December 8. The man had arrived at the Lansdowne border […]
Canada’s January Unemployment Hits 9.4%, Highest Since August 2020
Maple News reports that Canada’s unemployment rate rose sharply to 9.4% in January — the highest level recorded since August 2020 — as stricter COVID-19 restrictions took a toll on the labour market. According to the latest Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada, the country shed 213,000 jobs in January, […]
Newfoundland and Labrador Prioritize Immigration to Tackle Aging Population
Maple News reports that Newfoundland and Labrador are intensifying efforts to attract and retain immigrants as the province faces a shrinking and aging population. While provinces like Ontario and British Columbia continue to be top destinations for newcomers, Newfoundland and Labrador are now stepping forward to compete as a viable […]
Canada Imposes Mandatory Hotel Quarantine for Air Travellers Starting February 22
Maple News reports that starting February 22, travelers arriving in Canada by air will be required to quarantine in a government-approved hotel for up to three days at their own expense—estimated at approximately $2,000. This new mandate is part of strengthened border measures aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 […]
Canada Expands PGWP Access: Full Online Studies Now Count Toward Post-Graduation Work Permit
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 […]
COVID-19 Disproportionately Affects Immigrants and Racialized Communities in Ottawa
Maple News reports that a new study reveals immigrants and racialized communities in Ottawa have faced a significantly higher risk of COVID-19 exposure and impact compared to the general population. The findings come from a report titled The Impact of COVID-19 on Immigrants and Racialized Communities in Ottawa, which is […]
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 […]
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 […]