Breaking News: Express Entry & Canada's Top PR Paths

Trivia Question❓

Which Canadian city is known as the "Windy City"?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

🍁 Newcomer Digest – Thursday Edition

Happy Thursday newcomers!

Canada’s 2026 immigration focus is on Express Entry targeting medical doctors, researchers, senior managers, and transport professionals. French-speaking candidates get priority, and the Provincial Nominee Program is expanding, expecting 91,500 newcomers.

Highlights:

Express Entry now prioritizes researchers, managers, and transport roles.
Four major draws included the first physician-specific draw with a CRS score of 169.
Work experience requirements are now one year (non-continuous).
Quebec cut its LMIA list from 76 to 60 occupations, with a grace period until March 26, 2026.

Best Provinces: Ontario & BC for tech/healthcare, Alberta & Manitoba for affordability, Atlantic Canada for employer-driven pathways.

Quick Tip: Update your Express Entry profile and explore provincial streams!

🌟 Have a great Thursday!

Happening now
Featured Story

Express Entry and Canada’s Best PR Pathways

Canada’s immigration system is evolving rapidly in 2026, placing a stronger focus on economic priorities and local labor market demands.

The Express Entry platform now features new target categories—medical doctors, researchers, senior managers, and transport professionals—requiring at least one year of recent Canadian work experience.

French-speaking candidates enjoy special advantages, as Canada aims to raise Francophone immigration outside Quebec to 9% by 2026 and 12% by 2029.

The Provincial Nominee Program is expanding, allowing provinces to fill skill gaps with 91,500 newcomers expected through PNPs in 2026.

Provinces like New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are further fine-tuning their programs to prioritize healthcare, education, social services, and construction, with less focus on hospitality.

For both immigrants and employers, adaptability and awareness of these changing priorities are key to success in Canada’s dynamic immigration landscape.

What's happening This Week and What It Means for You

1. Canada Reshapes 2026 Express Entry Priorities

On February 18, 2026, IRCC officially announced its 2026 Express Entry categories, introducing a major shift in who will be prioritized for Permanent Residency (PR) invitations.

Impact: New categories now target researchers, senior managers with Canadian experience, transport occupations (like pilots and mechanics), and highly skilled foreign military applicants. These join the existing priority for foreign medical doctors.
Actionable Advice: If you fall into these new categories, update your Express Entry profile immediately to ensure you are flagged for these specific draws. Employers in these sectors should also re-evaluate their recruitment strategies to leverage these new pathways.
👉 Learn more: 2026 Express Entry Category-Based Selection (IRCC)

2. Record-Breaking Week for Express Entry Draws

IRCC backed its policy shift with immediate action, holding four major draws between February 16 and February 20, 2026, including the historic first draw for physicians.

Impact: The activity was massive: a PNP draw (Feb 16), a CEC draw (Feb 17), the first-ever physician-specific draw (Feb 19) with a record-low CRS of 169, and a 4,000-person Healthcare draw (Feb 20).
Actionable Advice: For healthcare professionals in Canada, the barrier to entry has never been lower. If you have any Canadian experience in these fields, ensure your profile is active; even a low CRS score is currently competitive.
👉 Learn more: Recent Express Entry Invitation Rounds

3. New Work Experience Threshold for Categories

Effective February 18, 2026, IRCC has toughened the eligibility for category-based draws by increasing the minimum work experience requirement.

Impact: Candidates now need one year of work experience within the last three years to qualify for category-based selection, up from the previous six-month requirement. Crucially, the year no longer needs to be continuous.
Actionable Advice: Audit your experience hours. If you were planning to apply under a specific category (like Trades or STEM) with only six months of experience, you are now ineligible. You must continue working until you hit the 12-month mark to qualify for these targeted draws.
👉 Learn more: Updated Eligibility for Express Entry Categories

4. LMIA-Exempt Clarification for RCIP & FCIP

IRCC provided vital clarity this week for those applying through the Rural Community (RCIP) and Francophone Community (FCIP) Immigration Pilots.

Impact: Applicants can now secure LMIA-exempt work permits while their PR is processing, provided they have an eligible job offer and have passed the initial PR "completeness check."
Actionable Advice: Ensure your employer has paid the Employer Compliance Fee and provided you with an Offer of Employment number. You cannot apply for this specific work permit bridge without these two pieces of documentation.
👉 Learn more: Work Permits for Pilot Program Applicants

5. Quebec Slashes Expedited LMIA List

In a sudden move on February 24, 2026, Quebec reduced its list of occupations eligible for simplified LMIA processing from 76 down to 60.

Impact: Many IT and Engineering roles have been removed. Employers hiring for these roles must now undergo the full, standard LMIA process, which includes more rigorous local recruitment advertising.
Actionable Advice: There is a 30-day grace period ending March 26, 2026. If your occupation was removed but your application is ready, file it immediately to benefit from the simplified processing before the window closes.
👉 Learn more: Quebec Simplified Processing Occupation List (MIFI)

6. Bill C-12 Passes Major Senate Milestone

The Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act (Bill C-12) moved closer to becoming law this week, reported back from the Senate with no amendments on February 25.

Impact: This bill grants the government unprecedented power to cancel or suspend immigration documents and pause application intake in the "public interest." It also creates stricter rules for asylum seekers, requiring files to be "scheduling-ready."
Actionable Advice: This is a "watch closely" item. If you are an asylum claimant or hold a temporary permit, stay informed on the final Royal Assent date, as these discretionary powers could change document validity rules overnight.
👉 Learn more: Status of Bill C-12 (LEGISinfo)

Getting ahead
Opportunities

High‑Opportunity Provinces for Newcomers in 2026

A quick, practical guide for choosing where to build your future in Canada

🇨🇦 Ontario

Why it’s hot: Canada’s largest, most diversified economy with deep demand in tech, finance, healthcare, construction, and advanced manufacturing. Massive employer base + strong newcomer networks.

Immigration angle: Multiple OINP streams (Human Capital, Employer Job Offer, Tech, Health) plus Master’s Graduate and PhD Graduate pathways that often don’t require a job offer.

Trade-offs: High housing costs in the GTA; strong competition. Secondary cities like Ottawa, London, Kitchener‑Waterloo, Hamilton, Windsor offer better balance.

Best for: Skilled professionals, STEM/health grads, and Francophones leveraging Ontario’s French-speaking streams.

🏔 Alberta

Why it’s hot: Strong job creation in energy, utilities, clean tech, logistics, construction, and healthcare. More affordable housing in Calgary/Edmonton and no provincial sales tax.

Immigration angle: AAIP pathways, including tech and rural/community streams, reward in‑demand jobs and Alberta work experience/job offers.

Trade-offs: Economy can track energy cycles; winters are harsh; regulated professions face strict licensing.

Best for: Engineers, trades, project managers, healthcare workers, and tech talent seeking salary + affordability.

🌲 British Columbia

Why it’s hot: Thriving BC Tech ecosystem, film/TV, clean energy, ports and trade, healthcare, and tourism. High quality of life and strong employer demand.

Immigration angle: BC PNP Skills Immigration with targeted tech/health draws and International Graduate pathways.

Trade-offs: Highest housing costs in Canada (Lower Mainland/Victoria). Interior cities like Kelowna, Kamloops, Nanaimo offer better affordability.

Best for: Tech, healthcare, digital media, and trade/logistics candidates who can command strong salaries or choose more affordable BC regions.

🌾 Manitoba

Why it’s hot: Stable demand in manufacturing, transportation/trucking, agrifood, and healthcare. Lower cost of living and strong settlement supports.

Immigration angle: MPNP favours local work experience, job offers, and community ties. International Education Stream is friendly to Manitoba grads.

Trade-offs: Smaller market than ON/BC; some programs adjust criteria frequently, stay updated.

Best for: Applicants who can secure a local employer, international students studying in-province, and families seeking affordability.

🌻 Saskatchewan

Why it’s hot: High demand in agriculture, mining, energy, manufacturing, construction, and utilities. Predictable employer needs and accessible housing.

Immigration angle: SINP points-based selection, Occupations In‑Demand and Express Entry sub‑categories (often no job offer if your NOC is targeted), plus Hard‑to‑Fill Skills options.

Trade-offs: Smaller cities, colder climate, and licensing requirements for many professions.

Best for: Skilled trades, power engineers, agri‑food professionals, technicians, and mid‑career applicants targeting clear, demand-driven lists.

🌊 Atlantic Canada

(Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island)

Why it’s hot: Employer-driven hiring, community lifestyle, lower housing costs, and demand in healthcare, ECE, hospitality, seafood/agri‑food, construction, and ocean tech (NL).

Immigration angle: Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) offers employer-backed PR pathways. Each province also runs PNP streams targeting shortages. Bilingual talent has an edge in NB.

Trade-offs: Smaller markets and salaries; job offers often essential; fewer large employers outside major hubs (Halifax, Moncton, St. John’s).

Best for: Candidates who can secure a designated employer, service/health/trades professionals, bilingual applicants, and families seeking community + affordability.

🧭 How to Choose Your Province in 5 Steps

Map your NOC to demand: Check targeted occupations + recent draw patterns; shortlist 2–3 provinces that actively invite your skill set.
Confirm licensing: If regulated (nurse, engineer, ECE, etc.), review the provincial regulator’s process and timelines before moving.
Validate the employer path: Identify designated employers (AIP) or PNP‑friendly companies; begin outreach early.
Balance cost vs. salary: Build a simple monthly budget for your target city; consider secondary cities for better ROI.
Align study/work:
- Studying? Choose PGWP‑eligible programs with strong co‑ops.
- Working? Target provinces with employer-driven streams that match your role.

⚡ Quick Takeaways

Ontario / BC: Biggest ecosystems + brand value, ideal if you can handle housing costs or choose secondary cities.
Alberta: Strong salaries + affordability, great for trades, energy, tech, and builders.
Manitoba / Saskatchewan: Clear employer-driven pathways + lower costs perfect for planners who can secure a job.
Atlantic Canada: Fast, employer-led PR routes, ideal for bilinguals and service/health/trades roles.

Freebies
Valuable Resources

Newcomer Services Across Canada 🇨🇦

Get free help with housing, jobs, healthcare, language training, and settlement.

These services are funded by the Government of Canada and are part of your PR strategy.

🇨🇦 Start Here (Canada-Wide)

🔹 Find Free Newcomer Services (IRCC)
https://ircc.canada.ca/english/newcomers/services/index.asp

📍 City Resource Hubs

🔹 Vancouver / Metro Vancouver
https://www.welcomebc.ca/start-your-life-in-b-c/find-newcomer-services

🔹 Toronto / GTA
https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/moving-to-toronto/after-you-arrive-checklist/

🔹 Calgary
https://gatewayconnects.ca/

🔹 Edmonton
https://newcomercentre.com/

🇫🇷 Quebec

🔹 Accompagnement Québec
https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/integration-service-for-immigrants

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