Canada Immigration News Podcast

Canada Immigration News Podcast #44 – OINP Francophone Draw, LMIA Changes & Global Education Trends

Published

1 year ago

October 7, 2024

Ryan

Canada Immigration News Podcast

Canada Immigration News Podcast #44 - OINP Francophone Draw, LMIA Changes & Global Education Trends

00:00 / 6:51

Stay up to date with the latest Canada immigration news for September 2024:

Ontario held the fourth OINP draw for French-speaking candidates on September 26, 2024. A total of 243 Notifications of Interest (NOIs) were issued to candidates in the French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream. The CRS score range was between 290 and 445 points. So far this year, Ontario has invited 40,864 candidates through OINP.
The international education landscape is evolving as the ‘Big Four’ study destinations – Australia, Canada, the US, and the UK – address new challenges and opportunities. Leaders discussed data-driven recruitment strategies, industry connections, and student outcomes at the ICEF Monitor Global Summit.
A new Environics survey shows that Canadians’ support for immigration remains strong, even amid concerns about housing prices. While many believe immigration contributes to the housing crisis, public sentiment towards immigrants overall remains welcoming, with no significant rise in anti-immigrant attitudes.
Canada has implemented new Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) rules to address rising unemployment. These changes include suspending LMIAs in areas with high unemployment, reducing the cap on foreign workers to 10% of a company’s workforce, and limiting low-wage foreign workers to one-year employment durations.

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Date	Province	Invitations
December 23	Prince Edward Island	13 Invitations
December 18	New Brunswick	145 Invitations
December 18	Manitoba	63 Invitations
December 16	British Columbia	22 Invitations
December 15	Prince Edward Island	166 Invitations
Check Out the Full List of PNP Draws➜

Express Entry Draw 376 Issues 6,000 Invitations for French-Language Skilled Workers

On October 29, 2025, IRCC ran Express Entry Draw 376, issuing 6,000 Invitations to Apply to candidates demonstrating French-language proficiency. The cut-off was 416 and applicants needed CLB 7 or higher in all four skills. Draw 376 underlines Canada’s strategic push to grow Francophone communities outside Quebec and to plug labour gaps where bilingual services matter most. For many candidates with CRS scores in the 400–470 range, strong French results now represent a clear pathway to an earlier invitation.

Canadian Experience Class Draw 375 Continues CEC Stability with CRS 533

The day before, Express Entry Draw 375 targeted the Canadian Experience Class, issuing 1,000 ITAs with a CRS cut-off of 533. CEC draws remain IRCC’s dependable channel for candidates already building careers in Canada. Draw 375 reinforces a pattern of steady CEC thresholds that give temporary workers and international graduates a predictable route to permanent residency when they maintain employment and updated profiles.

Provincial Nominee Draw 374 Shows PNP Demand with CRS 761

Express Entry Draw 374 on October 27 focused on Provincial Nominee Program candidates, issuing 302 ITAs with a CRS cut-off of 761. PNP draws continue to prioritize regional labour needs and reward provincial nominations with a 600-point boost, often guaranteeing an ITA for nominated candidates. Draw 374’s score shows that while PNPs are powerful, competition remains intense, getting a provincial nomination is still a game changer for many applicants.

IRCC Tightens Rules with Mandatory Upfront Medical Exams for Express Entry

IRCC has ended the facilitation period that allowed some Express Entry files to be submitted without medicals. As of October 21, 2025, new Express Entry applications must include a completed Immigration Medical Examination (IME) at submission. This completeness check aims to reduce in-process delays, lower back-and-forth on medical admissibility, and speed final decisions. Applicants should book IRCC-approved panel physicians early, gather IME receipts/UME numbers, and ensure exams remain valid through processing.

How These Changes Affect Candidates Now:
Category-based draws like 376 (French) and 375 (CEC) show opportunity for candidates who align skills with IRCC priorities: bilingual candidates, those with Canadian work experience, and provincially nominated applicants. The new medical rule means preparedness matters more than ever. Submitting a complete PR application with IME proof reduces the risk of rejection and shortens wait times. Candidates should update profiles, confirm language test validity, secure panel physician bookings, and consider provincial pathways that match their occupation.

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Draw	Number Of Invitations	Minimum CRS Points
390 (CEC)	8000	511
389 (French)	574	711
388 (French)	6000	399
387 (CEC)	5000	515
386 (PNP)	399	731
All Express Entry Draw Results ➜