Canada Immigration News Podcast

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

Published

12 months 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
September 12	Alberta	1,376 Invitations
September 04	Manitoba	3,347 Invitations
September 03	Ontario	1,893 Invitations
Aug 29	Newfoundland and Labrador	125 Invitations
Aug 28	Ontario	468 Invitations
Check Out the Full List of PNP Draws➜

Express Entry Draw 362 Focuses on Healthcare and Social Services

On August 19, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held Express Entry Draw 362, issuing 2,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates in healthcare and social services. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off was 470, with a tie-break of April 23, 2025. This was the lowest CRS requirement for a healthcare-focused draw so far in 2025, signaling that Canada is prioritizing care professionals in the 470–475 CRS band. Eligible occupations included registered nurses, physicians, pharmacists, social workers, and community service professionals. For many candidates in health and care-related roles, this round provided a faster route to permanent residency.

New Upfront Medical Exam Requirement for Express Entry Applicants

Beginning August 21, 2025, IRCC has introduced a new requirement for most Express Entry applicants: completing an upfront medical exam before submitting a permanent residence application. This policy shift means that medical results must now be included with the initial PR application, reducing delays and ensuring faster processing. While some applicants inside Canada can reuse a recent Immigration Medical Exam (IME) if completed within the last five years, most new applicants will need to schedule an exam with an approved panel physician. This change reflects IRCC’s effort to streamline the process, minimize back-and-forth requests, and deliver quicker decisions for Express Entry candidates.

Canada Invests $34 Million in French-Language Health Services

On August 18, 2025, the Canadian government announced a $34 million investment to expand French-language health services in Ontario. The funding will enhance access to care for Francophone communities, supporting family medicine, community clinics, mental health services, and hospitals. For French-speaking immigrants, access to healthcare in their first official language improves both settlement outcomes and long-term well-being. This initiative also strengthens Canada’s broader Francophone immigration strategy, ensuring that French-speaking newcomers can access services and thrive in their communities. It aligns with ongoing programs such as the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream and federal category-based draws for Francophone candidates.

Ontario Allocates $70 Million to Protect Workers and Strengthen the Economy

Ontario is also making a significant investment to support its workforce in response to global economic pressures and shifting trade dynamics. The province announced $70 million in funding for two initiatives: Protect Ontario Workers Employment Response (POWER) Centres and the Better Jobs Ontario program. POWER Centres will act as rapid-response hubs for workers facing layoffs, offering job search assistance and retraining resources. Better Jobs Ontario will expand tuition and training support for individuals transitioning into high-demand fields. For newcomers and residents alike, this funding provides opportunities to access training, upskill for the evolving job market, and secure stable employment in sectors such as healthcare, technology, and advanced manufacturing.

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The Canada Immigration News Podcast continues to be the trusted source for up-to-date coverage of immigration draws, policy changes, and settlement resources. With more than 2 million subscribers worldwide, our community of future Canadians relies on timely, accurate insights to guide their journey. Subscribe today to the Canada Immigration News Podcast and newsletter to stay ahead of every update that could shape your path to permanent residency in Canada.

Draw	Number Of Invitations	Minimum CRS Points
367(Education)	2500	462
366 (PNP)	228	746
365 (French)	4500	446
364 (CEC)	1000	534
363 (PNP)	249	772
All Express Entry Draw Results ➜