Canada Immigration News Podcast #24 – Immigrants Addressing Labor Shortages, Immigrant Bill of Rights, Decline in Spousal Sponsorship, H-1B Visa Holder Policy

Published

1 year ago

June 13, 2024

Ryan

Canada Immigration News Podcast

Canada Immigration News Podcast #24 - Immigrants Addressing Labor Shortages, Immigrant Bill of Rights, Decline in Spousal Sponsorship, H-1B Visa Holder Policy

00:00 / 5:42

Welcome to Episode 24 of the Canada Immigration News Podcast, your go-to source for the latest updates and analysis on immigration matters across the country. In today’s episode, we’ll be delving into a range of significant developments, including policy proposals from the Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association, new data on spousal sponsorship immigration trends, and the pivotal role immigrants continue to play in addressing labor shortages and fostering business creation.

Segment 1: CILA Calls for Immigrant Bill of Rights and Ombudsperson
The Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association, or CILA, has put forth a compelling proposal aimed at enhancing Canada’s immigration system. In their “Let’s Clean Up Our Act” report, the association has called for the establishment of an immigrant bill of rights and the appointment of an immigration Ombudsperson.

Segment 2: Decline in Spousal Sponsorship Immigration
Recent data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, or IRCC, has revealed a significant decline in permanent resident admissions through the spousal sponsorship program.

Segment 3: Immigrants Addressing Labor Shortages and Driving Business Creation
Immigration continues to play a crucial role in addressing Canada’s labor shortages and fostering economic growth through business creation.

Segment 4: H-1B Visa Holder Policy Updates
On June 5th, 2024, clarifications were provided on the public policy measures introduced last year to facilitate the transition of certain H-1B visa holders and their families to Canada.

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Date	Province	Invitations
October 2	British Columbia	485 Invitations
September 26	Newfoundland and Labrador	107 Invitations
September 25	Alberta	144 3 Invitations
September 19	PEI	129 Invitations
September 17	New Brunswick	1052 Invitations
Check Out the Full List of PNP Draws➜

Express Entry Draw 367 Opens Opportunities for Education Professionals

On September 17, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted Express Entry Draw 367, targeting the education category. A total of 2,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off of 462, the lowest for this category in 2025 outside of French-language draws. The occupations eligible under this draw include early childhood educators, elementary and secondary school teachers, special needs instructors, and teaching assistants. For many candidates in the education sector, this round provides a strong opportunity to transition to permanent residency, reflecting Canada’s recognition of the critical role educators play in supporting a growing population and strengthening communities.

Express Entry Draw 368 Prioritizes Trade Occupations

Just days after the education-focused round, IRCC held Express Entry Draw 368 for trade occupations. In this draw, 1,250 invitations were issued, with a CRS cut-off of 505. Eligible candidates needed to have submitted their profiles before November 5, 2025. This was the first trades-focused round in nearly a year, and it underscored the high demand for skilled tradespeople across Canada. Sectors such as construction, mechanics, welding, and electrical work remain vital to the economy. Although the CRS cut-off was higher than in other category-based draws, the inclusion of trade occupations demonstrates Canada’s continued commitment to attracting workers in these essential roles.

IRCC Increases Alberta AAIP Nomination Capacity for 2025

Another important update comes from Alberta, where IRCC announced an increase in the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) nomination allocations. For 2025, Alberta’s allocation has risen by 1,528 spots, bringing the total to 6,403 nominations. The AAIP provides pathways for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and graduates to gain provincial nominations and accelerate their route to permanent residency. With Alberta’s economy growing in key sectors such as energy, healthcare, agriculture, and technology, this increase ensures that employers have access to the talent they need while newcomers benefit from more opportunities to settle in the province. The higher allocation also signals IRCC’s recognition of Alberta’s expanding role in Canada’s overall immigration strategy.

Alberta Introduces Canadian Citizenship Marker on IDs and Driver’s Licenses

Looking ahead to 2026, Alberta is set to launch a new Canadian citizenship marker on all newly issued and renewed driver’s licenses and provincial ID cards. This change will allow residents to prove both their identity and citizenship using a single document, reducing the need to carry multiple forms of identification. The measure is also designed to safeguard democratic processes by making it easier to verify voter eligibility. For new Canadian citizens, the change means proof of citizenship will be required when applying for or renewing identification starting in the fall of 2026. Alberta’s decision aligns with international best practices and reflects a broader shift toward secure, efficient identity verification systems.

Stay Connected with Canada Immigration News Podcast

Canada Immigration News Podcast continues to provide trusted, timely updates on Express Entry draws, provincial immigration programs, and settlement changes that affect future Canadians. With over 2 million subscribers worldwide, the podcast and newsletter deliver essential insights for anyone planning their immigration journey. Subscribe today to stay informed about the latest opportunities and policies that could shape your path to permanent residency in Canada.

Draw	Number Of Invitations	Minimum CRS Points
370(French)	4500	432
370(CEC)	1000	534
369(PNP)	291	855
368(Trade)	1250	505
367(Education)	2500	462
All Express Entry Draw Results ➜