IRCC invited 4,500 Francophone candidates in the new Express Entry draw
On October 6, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a new Express Entry draw for French language proficiency candidates. In round #371, IRCC issued 4,500 Invitations to Apply (ITA) to francophone candidates. The cut-off score of this draw was 432points, 14 points fewer than in the previous draw in this category. The tie-breaking rule for this round was June 13, 2025, at 19:07:01 UTC. This year, Canada issued 71,338 ITAs through 41 Express Entry draws, and 30,000 of them were sent to francophone candidates.
Proposed immigration reforms raise concerns for rural Manitoba businesses facing critical labour shortages
Rural Manitoba businesses are monitoring upcoming federal immigration policy changes with growing apprehension as they continue to struggle with persistent labour shortages. The federal government’s recent announcement to reduce the number of temporary foreign workers to under 5% of Canada’s population by 2027 has sparked concern among rural employers who rely on these programs to fill critical positions. Agriculture sector businesses, which already face significant recruitment challenges for skilled trades positions, worry that blanket reductions could exacerbate existing staffing issues and impact rural economies that depend on these workers to maintain operations.
Canada extends open work permit program for temporary residents seeking permanent residency until 2026
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a significant extension to its public policy regarding open work permits for applicants in the temporary resident to permanent resident pathway. The revised policy, effective October 6, 2025, extends permit issuance until December 31, 2026, eliminating the need for frequent renewals. Additionally, the updated guidelines expand eligibility criteria to include family members residing abroad, facilitating faster family reunification. This enhancement builds upon the original policy established in 2021 and subsequently revised in 2022, demonstrating Canada’s commitment to streamlining immigration pathways.
Gaza visa program leaves families in limbo: 21 months later, thousands still awaiting approval
A special visa program launched to relocate extended family members from war-torn Gaza to Canada has left thousands waiting in dangerous conditions for nearly two years. Institutional resistance and resource shortages have plagued the initiative from its inception, with only 880 people arriving in Canada out of 5,000 applicants. Government sources reveal that insufficient funding and a lack of Arabic-speaking staff have severely hampered processing capabilities, leaving desperate families separated between Gaza, neighbouring countries, and Canada as applications remain stalled in security screening phases.
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