VisaVerse Bi-Weekly Updates ( June) 1-15

Mark Carney says lower immigration levels are affecting economic growth

Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged that Canada’s recent economic slowdown is partly linked to the Federal Government’s decision to reduce immigration targets and limit the number of temporary residents. Following two consecutive quarters of economic contraction, Carney noted that slower population growth has affected overall economic output. However, he argued that the changes are part of a broader strategy to ease pressure on housing, infrastructure, and public services while fostering more sustainable long-term growth. The comments mark one of the clearest acknowledgements to date of the connection between immigration levels and Canada’s economic performance.

Domestic business investment in Canada remains below pre-2015 levels

A new Fraser Institute study suggests that recent increases in business investment do not mean Canada’s long-standing investment challenges have been resolved. Researchers found that investment in productivity-enhancing assets such as machinery, equipment, software, and intellectual property accounted for 11.1% of the economy in 2025, up from nearly 14% in 2014. The report also notes that rapid labor force growth combined with slower capital investment has reduced investment per worker. According to the study, this trend may continue to weigh on productivity growth and living standards. The authors argue that stronger business investment is needed to support long-term economic performance. They conclude that Canada’s business investment and productivity challenges remain unresolved.

Canada sees a major decline in new refugee protection claims

Newly released data from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada reveals a significant decrease in new refugee protection claims. The Refugee Protection Division recorded 2,863 new claims in May 2026. This number is a major drop from the 16,793 intake cases reported in May 2024. Finalizations peaked in May 2026, with 8,977 cases completed, reducing the total pending claims to 286,970. Meanwhile, the Refugee Appeal Division saw a rise in pending appeals, which reached 5,499 cases by the end of May.

Canadian municipalities warn of labor challenges as immigration levels decline

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has highlighted the important contribution immigrants and migrant workers make to municipalities across Canada. During a panel discussion held at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities annual meeting in Edmonton, municipal leaders warned that recent immigration reductions are creating labor shortages and increasing pressure on local services. Many immigrants and migrant workers are employed in sectors that communities depend on, including health care, child care, food production, skilled trades, and other essential services. Speakers noted that immigration changes are affecting workforce participation, housing development, school enrolment, and the capacity of community organizations to support vulnerable residents. CUPE emphasized that immigrants and migrant workers remain a critical part of local economies and community well-being across the country.


Canada expands open work permit eligibility for spouses of temporary foreign workers in Quebec
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) expanded a temporary immigration measure to help families stay together. Spouses and common-law partners of eligible temporary foreign workers in Quebec can now apply for an open work permit. To qualify, the partner must hold a valid temporary resident status or have lost it within the last ninety days. The partner must also be listed on the main applicant's permanent selection application for Quebec's Skilled Worker Selection Program. This policy will help employers fill local labor gaps and will run until the end of 2026.

British Columbia increases its provincial minimum wage to the highest among Canadian provinces
British Columbia officially raised its general minimum wage from $17.85 to $18.25 per hour on June 1, 2026. This forty-cent increase reflects a 2.1 percent adjustment tied directly to the average inflation rate from the previous year. With this update, the province now holds the highest minimum wage among all Canadian provinces. Yukon and Nunavut still maintain higher minimum wage rates overall; they are territories rather than provinces. The new rate also applies to specialized wage categories, including live-in camp leaders and delivery workers. However, crop producers will see adjustments for agricultural piece-rate wages delayed until December 31, 2026. This new provincial rate also surpasses the federal minimum wage by ten cents.

New Brunswick launches 2030 growth plan with big focus on immigration

New Brunswick revealed a new economic strategy to grow its economy by 10% by 2030. The province needs more workers to reach this goal. Because of this need, immigration will play a central role in the new plan. The strategy aims to fix major labor shortages in key sectors. These sectors include mining, agriculture, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. New Brunswick also wants to attract more private investment. Businesses only invest in areas that have enough skilled workers. The province will also encourage new immigrants to move to smaller, rural communities to support local economies.

IRCC cuts Atlantic Immigration Program processing times by one year

Permanent residence applicants under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) are seeing significantly shorter processing times as of June 8, 2026. Current estimates indicate that new applications may take approximately 26 months to process, down from 38 months recorded in May — a reduction of 12 months. The AIP continues to serve as an important employer-driven pathway for skilled workers and international graduates seeking permanent residence in Atlantic Canada. Large application inventories remain in the system, suggesting that processing pressures have not yet been fully resolved.

University of Toronto ranks among the world’s top research institutions

The University of Toronto ranked fourth globally for academic research in the 2026 Center for World University Rankings (CWUR), placing ahead of Yale, Princeton, Oxford, and Cambridge. Only Harvard, Stanford, and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences achieved higher research rankings. CWUR evaluated more than 21,000 institutions worldwide, with research performance accounting for 40% of the overall score. The University of Toronto also placed 23rd overall in the global rankings and has maintained a top-five research position since 2019. The results reinforce Canada’s reputation as a leading destination for higher education, innovation, and academic research.