Immigration Update

Bill C-12 becomes law, reshaping Canada’s asylum and immigration regulations

Bill C-12 received royal assent on March 26, 2026, bringing new measures to Canada’s immigration and asylum system.

The law tightens eligibility by barring referrals to the IRB for claims filed more than one year after a first entry, and for certain irregular border entrants who claim after 14 days.

Ottawa will also modernize processing through regulatory updates aimed at simpler online applications and faster, schedule-ready hearings.

New information-sharing powers come with privacy safeguards, while broader authorities allow the government to pause or adjust documents and intake through orders in council.

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Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program undergoes major regulatory changes

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) announced significant regulatory changes, affecting Ontario Regulation 421/17 under the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015.

These amendments grant the Minister authority to redesign the OINP by creating or removing selection streams, a power approved through the Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025.

The updates streamline application processing, refine program streams to address provincial labour market demands, and strengthen program integrity through enhanced notice delivery methods and expanded administrative penalties.

These changes aim to ensure the OINP selects qualified applicants who can contribute to Ontario's economy while protecting Canadian workers and maintaining program standards.

#ontario_immigrant_nominee_program, #oinp, #immigration_canada, #ontario_immigration, #labour_market, #working_for_workers_act, #provincial_nomination

Ottawa announced measures to support rural employers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

The Government of Canada announced temporary measures allowing rural employers to increase the proportion of low-wage temporary foreign workers they can hire from 10% to 15% of their workforce.

The change is intended to help rural businesses address persistent labour shortages and will apply from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, following a request from a province or territory.

At the same time, sector-specific rules will remain in place: employers in the health care, construction and food processing sectors will continue to be subject to a 20% cap on their low-wage temporary foreign workforce, while seasonal sectors such as fish and seafood processing and tourism will continue to benefit from the existing exemption from the TFW Program cap for seasonal positions.

#canada_immigration #temporary_foreign_workers #tfw_program #rural_employers #labour_shortage #work_permits #esdc #canada_jobs #rural_economy

Ottawa introduced a new work permit extension for Quebec’s skilled workers

The Federal Government announced a temporary measure that allows eligible skilled workers in Quebec to extend their employer-specific work permits for up to 12 months.

This gives Quebec additional time to process applications for the Quebec Selection Certificate, which is required before applying for permanent residence.

The measure targets workers who received invitations to submit a Demande de Selection Permanente under Quebec's Skilled Worker Selection Program.

Applications are open until December 31, 2026, with expedited processing available. Additionally, rural employers across participating provinces will see their temporary foreign worker cap increase from 10% to 15% between April 2026 and March 2027.

#canada_immigration, #quebec_workers, #work_permit_extension, #skilled_workers, #permanent_residence, #ircc, #quebec_selection_certificate, #temporary_foreign_workers, #rural_employment