Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that the 2025 Parents and Grandparents Program intake will commence on July 28, accepting up to 10,000 complete sponsorship applications.
IRCC will send invitations exclusively to those who submitted interest forms in 2020 but have not yet received invitations. Applications can be submitted electronically through the Permanent Residence Portal or the Representative Permanent Residence Portal.
Those not invited may consider the Super Visa option, which allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years per visit, with the option to extend their stay by up to 2 years at a time without leaving the country.
#immigration_canada, #parents_and_grandparents_program, #family_reunification, #permanent_residence, #super_visa, #pgp, #family_sponsorship
July 17, 2025
Canada faces a critical immigration policy crossroads as Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre calls for "hard caps" amid stalled population growth of 41.5 million.
Despite political rhetoric suggesting immigration reductions, economic data indicates businesses already struggle with labour shortages and reduced consumer spending.
With small businesses reporting a 55% staffing shortage, education institutions facing financial crises due to international student caps, and a concerning brain drain of 106,134 emigrating Canadians in 2024, experts suggest a more strategic approach focusing on targeted immigration, aligning with labour market needs rather than implementing across-the-board cuts.
#labour_shortage, #brain_drain, #population_growth, #temporary_residents, #skilled_workers
July 17, 2025
According to the latest Labour Force Survey released on July 11, 2025, Canada's job market demonstrated positive momentum with employment increasing by 83,000 (+0.4%) in June, the first rise since January.
The unemployment rate decreased by 0.1 percentage points to 6.9%, while the employment rate climbed to 60.9%. Growth was particularly strong among core-aged workers, with significant gains in the wholesale and retail trade sector (+34,000) and the healthcare sector (+17,000).
Provincially, Alberta, Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba all recorded employment increases, though challenges persist with student unemployment reaching its highest June level since 2009.
#employment_statistics, #job_market_recovery, #labour_force_survey, #unemployment_rate, #workforce_trends, #retail
July 15, 2025
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) reports that approximately 10,000 job losses have occurred across Ontario's college system following federal caps on international study permits.
These cuts affect faculty, support staff, and administrators throughout the province.
The job reductions stem from significant revenue shortfalls as colleges grapple with decreased international enrollment, which previously provided crucial funding amid stagnant provincial support.
OPSEU President JP Hornick described the situation as "devastating" for college staff, with institutions now cancelling programs and reducing course offerings to manage financial constraints.
#Ontario_colleges, #international_students, #job_losses, #OPSEU, #college_staff, #post_secondary_education
July 15, 2025
