The Ontario government has unveiled a major two-phase plan to redesign the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and reshape how the province selects candidates for permanent residence. Phase one proposes consolidating the three existing Employer Job Offer streams into a single integrated framework with two pathways based on occupation level. Phase two would eliminate all remaining existing streams and replace them with three new ones: a Priority Healthcare Stream, an Entrepreneur Stream, and an Exceptional Talent Stream. The government is currently consulting stakeholders and has not yet clarified how in-progress applications will be handled once the reforms take effect.

Canada’s federal government is preparing to launch and reopen several permanent residence (PR) pathways in 2026, with a strong focus on transitioning more temporary residents already living in the country. The upcoming year will also see new or expanded PR routes for H-1B professionals, construction workers, agricultural and fish processing employees, and refugee-skilled candidates. Multiple pilots that reached their caps in 2025 are expected to reopen. As many details remain pending, 2026 is shaping up to be a significant year of structural updates to Canada’s immigration system.

On November 28, 2025, Nova Scotia announced a major shift in its immigration intake system, confirming that all submissions under the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) will now be processed through an Expression of Interest (EOI) model. Under the new rules, all submissions—regardless of submission date—are considered EOIs, and having a case ID or meeting eligibility criteria no longer guarantees file processing. The province will conduct periodic draws based on current labor market and economic priorities, with priority sectors such as healthcare, construction, trades, STEM, natural resources, and manufacturing. The shift aligns with broader trends driven by reduced provincial nomination allocations from IRCC. With increased immigration targets set for 2026, applicants may soon see improved chances of receiving selections.

Ontario is preparing to introduce new permanent residence pathways under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), targeting newcomers in fields such as research, culinary arts, and entrepreneurship. Immigration Minister David Piccini announced on November 25 that the province intends to launch a new “talent stream” to recognize excellence in these sectors. With Bill 30 (the Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025) receiving Royal Assent on November 27, the suspension of the Skilled Trades Stream, and expected increases in provincial nomination allocations for 2026, Ontario is restructuring its immigration program to support more targeted and flexible selection mechanisms.

Canada offers multiple immigration pathways for individuals who wish to immigrate through entrepreneurship or business investment, including the federal Start-Up Visa (SUV), several federal work permit categories, provincial entrepreneur programs, and the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program. Each pathway carries distinct requirements related to investment amounts, business experience, language proficiency, and documentation. With frequent policy changes and complex due-diligence procedures, many applicants work with immigration lawyers or licensed consultants to select the right program, prepare documentation, and maintain compliance to improve approval outcomes and protect their investment.

On November 20, Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner, a member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, announced that the Conservative Party will introduce a wide-ranging package of amendments to the federal government’s border security and immigration legislation, Bill C-12. She argued that Canada’s immigration system is under intense pressure and must undergo structural reform as soon as possible. The proposed amendments will focus on modernizing asylum procedures, strengthening border enforcement and security screening, adjusting criminality and removal thresholds, and increasing transparency across federal immigration bodies. The initiative comes amid rising asylum numbers, sustained growth in temporary residents, mounting pressure on housing and social services, and heightened scrutiny of immigration-related security reports—highlighting how immigration has become a heated issue in Canada and globally.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has suspended its Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream effective November 14, 2025, following a major program review that identified systemic misrepresentation and potential fraud. As part of the suspension, all in-progress applications will be returned with full refunds. The province states that the program’s current structure must be redesigned to ensure limited nomination spots benefit genuine candidates addressing Ontario’s skilled trades shortages. Affected applicants may submit a new Expression of Interest under another OINP stream if eligible.

On November 12, 2025, Newfoundland and Labrador issued a total of 330 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), marking the largest draw since July. With 220 invitations going to NLPNP candidates, the province continues to rely heavily on its provincial nomination channels. As the province reaches its 13th draw of the year and prepares for expanded federal PNP admission targets in 2026, nomination allocations may increase further.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released its latest processing time update on November 12, 2025, covering citizenship applications, permanent resident (PR) cards, family sponsorship programs, economic immigration categories, study permits, and work permits. The update reflects real-world timelines for 80% of applications and is refreshed weekly or monthly depending on the category. The latest data shows significant increases in processing times for parents and grandparents under family sponsorship, while Express Entry streams remain stable. Business immigration and several Quebec programs continue to face multi-year backlogs. IRCC emphasizes that processing times are estimates only and can vary depending on an applicant’s location, background checks, case complexity, and IRCC’s operational capacity.

On November 6, 2025, the Quebec government announced that it will permanently close one of its most popular pathways to permanent residence—the Quebec Experience Program (Programme de l’expérience québécoise, PEQ)—which includes the Quebec Graduates Stream and the Temporary Foreign Workers Stream. Both streams will officially end on November 19, 2025. At the same time, three permanent immigration pilot programs will also conclude as scheduled on January 1, 2026. This means that, going forward, foreign workers and graduates seeking to obtain permanent residence in Quebec will only be able to apply through the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ).