Ottawa and Manitoba launch $1.3 million push to boost Francophone immigration
New Federal Court chief justice inherits record immigration backlog
Manitoba PNP invites 77 skilled workers in mid-year strategic recruitment draw
Latest News
Air Canada cuts eight U.S. routes for winter 2026/27 as fuel costs bite
Citing high fuel prices and muted demand, Air Canada will nix or defer eight U.S. routes this winter, including Midwest and Florida services and the ongoing suspension of JFK flights. The cuts tighten transborder options for business travellers but free aircraft for LaGuardia shuttles and an expanded Mexico program.
British Columbia issues entrepreneur invitations as Base-stream cut-off climbs to 118
B.C.’s latest Entrepreneur Immigration draw, disclosed July 5, invited up to 19 entrepreneurs, with Base-stream scores hitting 118—the second-highest of 2026. The results indicate intensifying competition and foreshadow regulatory tweaks that will favour succession and green-economy investments, shaping options for foreign business owners seeking Canadian PR.
Vancouver International Airport braces for 2.7 million FIFA travellers with biometric gates and 24-hour desk
YVR’s July 5 advisory forecasts 2.7 million passengers through July 12 and details CT scanners, 42 biometric gates and a 24-hour FIFA coordination centre. The enhancements are designed to maintain sub-15-minute security waits and faster boarding during record summer volumes, giving business and leisure travellers clearer guidance amid World Cup congestion.
Toronto Pearson launches free 20-minute Express Pass garage pickup booking
Pearson’s new Express Pass, publicised July 5, gives private drivers 20 minutes of free garage parking for pickups, easing curbside congestion and adding predictability for travellers. Bookings are made online and enforced via barcode scanning, with overstays charged at regular rates.
Canada and U.S. expand land-border pre-clearance to four new crossings
Beginning 1 September 2026, CBSA and CBP will operate joint inspection plazas at four additional land crossings, cutting average wait times by an estimated 40 percent and giving carriers 24-hour service. Faster, single-stop processing is expected to lower supply-chain costs for exporters and improve predictability for business travellers driving between Canada and the United States. ([atlas-guide.com](https://www.atlas-guide.com/news/2026-07-05-canada-and-us-agree-new-land-border-preclearance-expansion))
Canada and United States to open four new joint land-border preclearance sites from September
Ottawa and Washington have agreed to open joint customs and immigration preclearance facilities at four high-volume land crossings starting 1 September 2026. The project is expected to cut vehicle wait times by 40 %, speed up freight movements and provide businesses with more predictable travel between Canada and the United States.
British Columbia issues entrepreneur invitations across two PNP streams
B.C. invited 18 entrepreneur candidates on 30 June, releasing results on 5 July. With a record 118-point cut-off for the EI Base stream, the province is raising the bar for urban investments, while rural communities continue to court smaller-scale projects. Successful applicants earn a pathway to permanent residence once business milestones are met. ([cicnews.com](https://www.cicnews.com/2026/07/british-columbia-holds-provincial-immigration-draw-targeting-entrepreneurs-across-two-pr-pathways-0777506.html))
Manitoba invites 77 skilled workers under strategic recruitment initiative
On 5 July Manitoba announced that its 2 July MPNP draw delivered 77 invitations to skilled workers identified through strategic recruitment initiatives. The province continues to prioritise logistics, agri-food and health-care occupations as it races toward its 2026 nomination cap. ([cicnews.com](https://www.cicnews.com/2026/07/manitoba-invites-77-skilled-workers-to-apply-for-provincial-nomination-in-latest-selection-round-0777515.html/amp?utm_source=openai))
Ottawa seeks clarity after U.S. demands annual CUSMA reviews, raising mobility questions
The Trump administration’s decision to subject CUSMA to yearly reviews has prompted Ottawa to seek immediate clarification. Because the pact’s mobility chapter governs key work-permit categories, annual renegotiations could complicate staffing plans for companies that rely on cross-border talent flows. ([vancouver.citynews.ca](https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2026/07/05/leblanc-says-canada-seeking-clarity-after-u-s-opts-for-annual-cusma-review/))
Live IRCC dashboard shows same-day shifts in application processing times
A 5 July data pull from IRCC’s public processing-time API shows notable shifts, including faster inland work-permit renewals and slightly slower CEC permanent-residence files. The live dashboard gives mobility teams a real-time planning tool that updates every 24 hours.
CBSA warns of summer congestion at key crossings as wait-time dashboard hits 30-minute peak
Real-time CBSA data on 5 July showed passenger-vehicle waits of up to 30 minutes at the Blue Water Bridge and ongoing construction-related delays at St-Bernard-de-Lacolle. The agency urges travellers and corporate mobility planners to consult the wait-time dashboard and CanBorder app before heading to the border.