Canada Immigration News Podcast

Canada Immigration News Podcast #32 – Changes to Canadian Citizenship Laws, Provincial Nominee Programs, Investments in the Arts, and Much More

Published

1 year ago

July 8, 2024

Ryan

Canada Immigration News Podcast

Canada Immigration News Podcast #32 - Changes to Canadian Citizenship Laws, Provincial Nominee Programs, Investments in the Arts, and Much More

00:00 / 6:18

Welcome back to another episode of the Canada Immigration News Podcast! I’m your host, Ryan, and this is Episode 32. We have a packed show today with updates on provincial nominee programs, investments in the arts, changes to Canadian citizenship laws, and much more. Let’s jump right in.

British Columbia Issued Invitations to Business Candidates via the Entrepreneur Stream

Immigration Minister Announced Significant Investments in Local Performing Arts

Quebec Held the Largest Arrima Draw of 2024

BC Held New Draws under the BCPNP

PEI PNP Invited 75 Applicants under the Labour Impact and Express Entry Streams

IRCC Decreased Immigration Inventories and Backlogs

Canada Delayed Changes to Citizenship Laws

Quebec Capped Family Sponsorship Applications

That wraps up Episode 32 of the Canada Immigration News Podcast. Thank you for joining us. Make sure to subscribe to stay updated on the latest immigration news.

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Canada Immigration News Podcast #33 – New Canadian Policies and Programs to Economic Updates and Housing Initiatives

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Canada Immigration News Podcast #31 – Changes to Work Permit Processes, Provincial Nominee Program Invitations, and New Immigration Pathways

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Date	Province	Invitations
Aug 21	PEI	132 Invitations
Aug 21	Manitoba	77 Invitations
Aug 19	British Columbia	15 Invitations
Aug 15	Alberta	683 Invitations
Aug 7	Manitoba	37 Invitations
Check Out the Full List of PNP Draws➜

Canada Targets French-Speaking Candidates in Express Entry Draw 360

On August 8, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its third draw of the week, Express Entry Draw 360, focusing on French-speaking candidates. A total of 2,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 481. This strategy underscores Canada’s commitment to building Francophone communities outside Quebec and strengthening bilingual workforces. French speakers gain not only lower CRS cut-offs but also additional points for bilingualism, giving them a significant advantage compared to other categories.

Provincial Nominee Program Candidates Receive ITAs with CRS 800

The week also saw Canada issue invitations to 192 PNP candidates on August 18, 2025. With a CRS cut-off of 800, this draw highlighted the continued importance of provincial nominations in Express Entry. Candidates nominated through provincial programs benefit from an automatic 600-point boost, making their profiles highly competitive. As Canada balances program-specific and category-based draws, PNP candidates remain central to meeting regional labour market demands and filling skill shortages across the provinces.

New 2026 Express Entry Categories Announced

Looking ahead, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has revealed that new categories will be added to Express Entry in 2026. In addition to the current six categories, which include healthcare, STEM, trades, agriculture, education, and French-language proficiency, three more will be introduced: Leadership and Senior Management, Researchers and Scientists, and Highly Skilled Military Recruits. These updates demonstrate Canada’s forward-thinking approach to aligning immigration intake with future economic needs. Skilled professionals in these new categories will have greater opportunities to secure permanent residency through a more targeted selection process.

Alberta Expands Early Childhood Educator Bursary

Immigration and education are closely connected, and Alberta is addressing a critical workforce need by investing $3.3 million into its Early Childhood Educator Bursary program. This initiative provides $10,000 in tuition support for 300 students over the next three years, helping them complete certificate programs and enter licensed child-care centres. Alberta continues to face staffing shortages in early learning, and this bursary aims to remove financial barriers while encouraging more people to pursue careers in child care. For international students and newcomers considering careers in early childhood education, this investment highlights new pathways into meaningful employment in Canada.

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Draw	Number Of Invitations	Minimum CRS Points
365 (French)	4500	446
364 (CEC)	1000	534
363 (PNP)	249	772
362 (Healthcare)	2500	470
361 (PNP)	192	800
All Express Entry Draw Results ➜