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
Ontario is preparing for a significant shift in its employment landscape with the introduction of the 2026 Labour Mobility Regulations. These new rules, as highlighted by ImmigCanada Immigration Consulting Services, are designed to fundamentally reshape how the province engages with its skilled workforce. By targeting the year 2026, Ontario is signaling a long-term commitment to refining the legal frameworks that govern professional movement and workforce accessibility.
The anticipated transformation is expected to have a ripple effect across Canada’s broader skilled labor market. As the regulations take effect, the focus remains on enhancing the mobility of workers, ensuring that professional expertise can be utilized more efficiently where it is most needed. This initiative reflects a strategic move to modernize workforce standards and address the evolving requirements of various industrial sectors within the Canadian economy.
For professionals and immigration stakeholders, these upcoming changes represent a critical update to existing provincial standards. ImmigCanada Immigration Consulting Services continues to track these developments, noting their potential to streamline the integration of skilled talent. As the 2026 implementation date approaches, the impact of these mobility regulations will likely define a new era for Ontario's economic development and its role in the national labor market.
#Ontario #LabourMobility2026 #SkilledWorkforce #CanadaImmigration #ImmigCanada
January 7, 2026
