On January 13, 2026, the Government of Canada announced a $640,000, three-year investment to support the "Culture d’entreprise" project, an initiative led by the Fédération culturelle canadienne-française (FCCF) and Culture pour tous.
This funding aims to facilitate the integration of French-speaking newcomers into the workforce by developing intercultural toolkits that bridge the gap between business environments and Francophone culture.
As part of the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028, the project focuses on fostering a sense of belonging and ensuring the long-term retention of talent within Francophone minority communities across the country. As demand for skilled labour continues to grow, attracting and retaining French-speaking talent is a strategic priority for national economic growth.
#Canada, #francophonie, #immigrationtoCanada, #culture_d_entreprise, #business_integration, #official_languages
January 14, 2026
The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada has reported a significant milestone: pending refugee protection claims reached 300,163 by December 2025.
Despite processing 6,724 finalizations during the month, the new intake of 7,397 claims continues to outpace the resolution.
The backlog has grown steadily throughout the year, reflecting ongoing challenges in the refugee determination system. Meanwhile, refugee appeals have also increased, with 4,665 cases pending by year-end, up from 3,303 at the start of 2024.
Immigration appeals showed similar trends, with non-stayed pending cases climbing to 2,550. These figures underscore the mounting pressure on Canada's immigration infrastructure as authorities work to balance processing efficiency with fair case reviews.
#canada_immigration, #refugee_claims, #irb_statistics, #immigration_appeals, #refugee_backlog, #refugees
January 13, 2026
Canada's labour market showed minimal employment change in December 2025, adding just 8,200 jobs while the employment rate remained at 60.9%.
However, the unemployment rate increased by 0.3 percentage points to 6.8% as more Canadians entered the job search.
Employment gains were concentrated among workers aged 55 and older, with a 33,000 increase, while youth employment declined by 27,000.
The healthcare and social assistance sectors led job growth, adding 21,000 new positions, offsetting losses in professional services and accommodation.
Regionally, Quebec posted employment gains of 16,000, while Alberta and Saskatchewan experienced declines. Average hourly wages grew 3.4% year-over-year to $37.06, reflecting continued but moderating wage pressure.
#canada_labour_market, #employment_statistics, #unemployment_rate, #statistics_canada, #job_market_trends, #healthcare_jobs
January 12, 2026
Following a challenging year marked by record-low study permit approvals, Canadian international education enters 2026 with cautious optimism.
Experts project the sector will fall short of its 408,000 permit target as visa processing delays and approval rates hovering at 30-34% continue to constrain student mobility.
While graduate students gained exemption from caps and CAD$1.7 billion was allocated for global talent recruitment, stakeholders warn that systemic reforms around visa processing transparency and public perception remain essential.
The year ahead will test whether Canada can balance immigration control with its economic need for international talent.
#study_permit_challenges, #visa_processing_delays, #graduate_students, #immigration_canada, #international_students
January 9, 2026
