Bill C-12 becomes law, reshaping Canada’s asylum and immigration regulations

Bill C-12 received royal assent on March 26, 2026, bringing new measures to Canada’s immigration and asylum system. The law tightens eligibility by barring referrals to the IRB for claims filed more than one year after a first entry, and for certain irregular border entrants who claim after 14 days. Ottawa will also modernize processing through regulatory updates aimed at simpler online applications and faster, schedule-ready hearings. New information-sharing powers come with privacy safeguards, while broader authorities allow the government to pause or adjust documents and intake through orders in council.

New PNP rules shift key assessment authority to provinces and territories

Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program regulatory changes took effect on March 30, 2026, updating how applications are processed before permanent residence is granted. Under the new rules, provinces and territories assume expanded authority previously held by IRCC to assess whether nominees can become economically established and whether they intend to live in the nominating jurisdiction. IRCC says the guidance is posted as a courtesy to stakeholders and applies to both existing and new PNP applications currently with the department, affecting how membership in the class and required examinations are determined during processing.

The Government of Canada raises the federal minimum wage

Starting April 1, 2026, the Government of Canada is officially raising the federal minimum wage to $18.15 per hour to protect workers and strengthen the standard for fair pay. This adjustment, based on the 2.1% increase in the Consumer Price Index for 2025, represents a total cumulative increase of 21% since the standalone federal wage was introduced in 2021. The measure is designed to provide greater financial security for thousands of workers in the federally regulated private sector, ensuring their earnings keep pace with inflation. Minister Patty Hajdu emphasized that this annual update maintains a reliable baseline that protects those in the lowest-paid jobs and helps build a more resilient economy for all Canadians.

Canada urged to create 10-year residency path for long-term contributors

A new proposal calls for Canada to establish a legal pathway to permanent residence for individuals who have lived in the country for ten years or more. The Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association argues that thousands of people currently work, pay taxes, and raise families here while remaining legally temporary. The proposed policy would require proof of continuous presence, a clean record, and evidence of integration through tax filings or employment. Supporters say this approach recognizes contribution over time, fills labor market gaps, and brings people out of legal limbo. Critics worry about fairness to applicants waiting abroad, but advocates note these residents are already embedded in Canadian society.

Canada commits to strengthening the international student program following the Auditor General's review

Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab responded to the Auditor General's recent report on international student reforms, acknowledging progress while committing to further improvements. The government has successfully reduced the number of non-permanent residents by over 171,000 in late 2025, working toward a target of under 5% of Canada's population by 2027. While the Auditor General praised improvements such as the letter-of-acceptance verification system and program diversification, Minister Diab accepted recommendations to strengthen fraud-detection processes. She emphasized that the report covers only the first 18 months of a multi-year effort and that outcomes depend on collaboration between federal, provincial, and institutional partners.

Canada welcomed over 24,000 new permanent residents in January 2026

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) processed 32,400 permanent residence applications and welcomed 24,100 new residents in January 2026. The department also granted citizenship to 227,300 individuals between April 2025 and January 2026. During the same month, IRCC finalized 34,200 study permit applications and 136,700 work permit applications, including extensions. These numbers reflect Canada's ongoing commitment to maintaining robust immigration pathways for students, workers, and families seeking to build their futures in the country. The data demonstrates consistent progress in reducing application backlogs while supporting the nation's economic and demographic goals through strategic immigration management.

The Canadian job market showed signs of stabilization as vacancies held steady in Q4 2025

Job vacancies across Canada remained relatively stable in the fourth quarter of 2025, totaling 495,100 positions after three consecutive quarters of decline. This marks the smallest year-over-year drop since late 2022, declining just 8.9% compared to the previous year. The job vacancy rate held at 2.8% for three straight quarters, while the unemployment-to-job vacancy ratio improved slightly to 3.1. Full-time positions saw modest growth, and employers reported fewer long-term vacancies, suggesting hiring has become easier. Average hourly wages for open positions increased to $29.25, up 3.4% from last year. Quebec and Saskatchewan were the only provinces to record increases in vacancies during the quarter.

IRCC reports 28% drop in international student and foreign worker arrivals

New data released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows a significant decline in temporary resident arrivals for January 2026. Canada welcomed 7,040 new international students and 11,850 temporary workers, marking a 28% overall decrease compared to January 2025. These figures reflect the government's commitment to reducing Canada's temporary population to below 5% through measures such as annual caps on study permits, stricter work-permit eligibility, and enhanced program integrity. Officials say the downward trend demonstrates that recent policy changes are successfully easing pressures on housing, infrastructure, and services while maintaining a sustainable immigration system.

Canada's Immigration Board reports declining refugee claims in February 2026

The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada released its February 2026 statistics, showing a continued decrease in refugee protection claim intake. The Refugee Protection Division received 5,818 new claims during the month, while finalizing 7,578 cases. This marks a noticeable drop from previous months. Meanwhile, refugee appeals saw 1,222 new filings and 1,172 finalizations, leaving 4,816 cases pending. Immigration appeals recorded 317 new cases filed, with 296 finalizations during February. The Board updates these figures monthly to provide transparency on Canada's immigration system operations.

Canada introduces time limits on settlement services for economic immigrants

Starting April 1, 2026, Canada will implement new restrictions on how long economic immigrants can access federally funded settlement services. The changes mean permanent residents will have up to six years to use these programs, dropping to five years by April 2027. Ottawa says the move encourages newcomers to take advantage of job placement and integration support earlier while keeping resources available for those who need them most. The policy affects all economic class permanent residents, including family members who arrive with them. Officials describe the adjustment as part of broader efforts to manage immigration levels while still addressing labor shortages across the country.