According to the latest update from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Canada’s immigration backlog has dropped to 2.4 million. The record across all aspects of business has advanced as follows since July 2021:
• November 3, 2022: 2,411,388 persons • September 30, 2022: 2,600,000 persons • August 31, 2022: 2,583,827 persons • July 15-17, 2022: 2,679,031 persons • June 1-6, 2022: 2,387,884 persons • April 30-May 2, 2022: 2,130,385 persons • April 11-12, 2022: 2,031,589 persons • March 15 and 17, 2022: 1,844,424 persons • February 1, 2022: 1,815,628 persons • December 15, 2021: 1,813,144 persons • October 27, 2021: 1,792,404 persons • July 6, 2021: 1,447,474 persons
As of October 31, there were 331,401 citizenship applicants, compared to 351,964 on October 3. Compared to October 3, the permanent residence inventory stood at 506,421 people.
According to the October 3 temporary residence inventory, there were 1,651,649 people, while on November 3 it stood at 1,537,566. This resulted in reductions in two of the three major categories, with the biggest reduction in temporary residences.
39,589 Express Entry applications are awaiting processing as of November 3. In July, the IRCC resumed inviting Express Entry candidates from all programs. Due to IRCC’s struggles to meet its service standard of processing Express Entry applications within six months, draws were limited to candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) between September 21, 2021, and July 6, 2022. After reducing the number of Express Entry invitations for Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, IRCC has returned to its six-month service standard for candidates who have received a permanent residence invitation since July 6. The PNP has an inventory of 62,073 total applications.
Family Class Inventory
A total of 128,112 family immigrants are currently in the system, compared to 125,488 on October 3. The Spouses and Partners program is among the largest inventories among all lines of business, at 61,118, a slight rise in the number as compared to October 3. The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) has an inventory of 55,653 people compared to 53530 people waiting for decisions in October.
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Canada Immigration News Podcast #97: TR to PR Pathway, New Brunswick Physician Licensing Program, Canada Job Market Shift 2026, BC PNP Draw
byRyan
Canada Immigration News Podcast #97 brings you the latest developments shaping Canada’s immigration and labour market landscape. In this episode, we cover the TR to PR pathway speeding up worker approvals, New Brunswick’s expanded physician licensing program, Canada’s changing job market trends in 2026, and the latest BC PNP Entrepreneur invitations. These updates highlight how Canada continues refining immigration pathways while responding to workforce shortages and regional economic priorities.
Canada has accelerated permanent residence processing for up to 33,000 temporary workers through the new In-Canada Workers Initiative linked to the TR to PR pathway. The federal government is prioritizing applicants already living and working in smaller Canadian communities through programs such as the Provincial Nominee Program, Atlantic Immigration Program, caregiver pilots, and rural immigration streams.
This initiative reflects Canada’s growing focus on transitioning temporary residents into permanent residents rather than relying solely on new overseas immigration intake. Workers who already have Canadian work experience and community ties are increasingly viewed as ideal long-term immigrants because they integrate faster into the labour market and local economies. The program also supports Canada’s strategy to reduce temporary resident levels while filling labour shortages in key sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, caregiving, and skilled trades.
New Brunswick has expanded its physician licensing program to improve access for internationally trained doctors seeking to practice in Canada. The province is simplifying licensing procedures and introducing more flexible pathways for qualified physicians to enter the healthcare workforce faster. This expansion aims to address persistent doctor shortages, especially in rural and underserved communities where access to healthcare professionals remains limited.
Healthcare continues to be one of Canada’s highest priority immigration sectors, and provinces are increasingly adjusting licensing and credential recognition systems to attract medical professionals from abroad. By making physician licensing more accessible, New Brunswick strengthens both its healthcare system and its appeal as a destination for skilled newcomers looking for long-term opportunities in Canada.
Canada’s labour market is showing signs of transition as payroll employment growth slows in some sectors while demand remains high in others. Recent data indicates declines in payroll employment in industries such as retail and administrative services, while healthcare, manufacturing, and construction continue to demonstrate strong hiring activity.
This shift highlights how Canada’s economy is evolving toward sectors tied to infrastructure, healthcare expansion, and population growth. Immigration policy is increasingly aligned with these labour market realities, which explains the continued rise of category-based Express Entry draws and targeted provincial immigration pathways.
At the same time, many employers continue facing labour shortages despite slower overall payroll growth. This means skilled immigrants remain essential to supporting Canada’s economy, especially in sectors requiring specialized training, technical expertise, or healthcare qualifications.
British Columbia has continued supporting business immigration through its Entrepreneur Immigration stream, issuing 13 invitations in the latest BC PNP Entrepreneur draw. Candidates selected under this stream are expected to establish or invest in businesses that contribute to economic growth and job creation across the province.
The BC PNP Entrepreneur pathway remains an important option for experienced business owners and senior managers looking to immigrate to Canada while building businesses in regional communities. British Columbia continues prioritizing entrepreneurs who can support innovation, tourism, technology, and local economic development.
Entrepreneur immigration programs play a critical role in Canada’s broader immigration strategy by attracting investment, supporting regional economies, and creating employment opportunities for Canadians and newcomers alike.
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