On July 24, 2025, the province of Manitoba conducted a new Expression of Interest (EOI) draw, issuing 19 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) to candidates under its Strategic Recruitment Initiative. This highly targeted draw, part of the Skilled Worker stream, saw all invitations go to individuals directly selected by the nominee program, with a significant majority being Francophone candidates. The draw underscores Manitoba's strategy of using its PNP to precisely address specific labour market needs and promote community development.

On July 17, 2025, the province of Quebec launched its new Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) with its first invitation round since the program's reform in 2024. A total of 238 candidates were invited, with a precise focus on individuals already residing in Quebec who possess French language skills, local educational credentials or work experience, and are in occupations that address labour shortages. This inaugural draw targeted the "Highly qualified and specialized skills" and "Exceptional talent" streams, signaling a definitive policy shift towards prioritizing candidates already integrated into Quebec society.

On July 17, 2025, the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) held its latest immigration draw, issuing 39 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to foreign nationals with job offers in in-demand occupations. This draw clearly reflects PEI's shift towards a more selective immigration strategy amidst tightening federal immigration quotas, with a strong focus on attracting specific professionals who can quickly fill gaps in the local labour market.

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) has announced a temporary policy update, suspending the intake of new applications for its key Employer Services stream, effective July 4, 2025. This pause is scheduled to last until August 5, 2025. This proactive measure is aimed at planning and preparing for future process enhancements. For prospective applicants, this means an adjustment to their timelines, while applications already submitted will continue to be processed.

In its June 24 draw, Newfoundland and Labrador issued 320 invitations and successfully negotiated a 1,000-spot increase to its 2025 PNP allocation, signaling a strong commitment to attracting new immigrants. British Columbia’s July 8 draw once again targeted entrepreneurs, issuing no more than 17 invitations and underscoring its high priority for business and investment-class immigrants. Meanwhile, Manitoba extended 67 invitations on July 10, prioritizing international students who graduated from its institutions and skilled workers identified through "Strategic Recruitment Initiatives." These moves clearly reflect the unique immigration strategies each province is deploying based on its economic and labor market needs.

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued new invitations to Entrepreneur Immigration applicants on May 28. A total of no more than 14 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued across the Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) Regional and Base streams, with varying cut-off scores. Notably, compared to its skills immigration streams, BC's Entrepreneur Immigration program has maintained significant invitation frequency and stability in 2025, underscoring the province's continued focus on attracting business investment and promoting economic development.

In 2024, the Canadian federal government introduced several adjustments to its Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-exempt work permit policies. These changes encompass Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWP), New work permit for PNP nominee candidates, Updated instructions regarding ICTs under the IMP and more, aimed at optimizing immigration structures and managing the proportion of temporary residents. Below is a professional analysis of the key policy changes and their implications.

On October 3, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released updated guidelines concerning the Intra-Company Transferee (ICT) work permit category. These revisions introduce a more restrictive interpretation of the ICT category, significantly impacting foreign companies seeking to establish or expand operations in Canada.