British Columbia’s ‘Innovate: High Economic Impact’ draw invites record 426 candidates
CBSA resumes enforced removals to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE
Canada resumes deportations to four Gulf states after six-month humanitarian pause
Latest News
British Columbia launches new ‘Innovate: High Economic Impact’ PNP stream with 426 invitations
British Columbia issued 426 invitations in the first draw of its new ‘Innovate: High Economic Impact’ PNP category, aimed at well-paid leaders in tech, clean energy and life sciences. The high wage floor and fast processing timeline create a premium immigration channel for companies building advanced R&D teams in B.C.
Ottawa tightens Saudi Arabia travel advisory amid renewed drone attacks
On 24 September 2026, Global Affairs Canada refreshed its Saudi Arabia advisory, citing renewed drone and missile threats and keeping southern border provinces under an “Avoid all travel” warning. Canadian businesses must revisit evacuation and insurance plans, while travellers should register with ROCA and be prepared for sudden airport closures.
Quebec invites 519 skilled workers in latest Arrima PSTQ draw
MIFI issued 519 invitations under Quebec’s skilled-worker programme on 24 September 2026, a draw markedly smaller than recent rounds. The province appears to be managing its remaining quota for 2026, with invitations favouring high-scoring francophone candidates in priority occupations. Employers should recalibrate talent pipelines because Arrima operates independently of Express Entry.
Manitoba’s latest MPNP draw issues 474 invitations across five selection categories
Manitoba invited 474 candidates in Draw #280 on 24 September 2026, heavily favouring skilled workers already employed in the province’s science and engineering sectors. With 148 Express Entry candidates included, the draw offers a fast federal pathway for many nominees and signals Manitoba’s focus on retaining in-province STEM talent.
Canada urges citizens to leave Myanmar as conflict escalates
Global Affairs Canada’s 24 September 2026 advisory keeps Myanmar at “Avoid all travel” and stresses that Canadians should depart immediately amid worsening armed conflict, drone strikes and arbitrary detentions. Employers with staff in-country face heightened duty-of-care and evacuation planning obligations.
IRCC clarifies renewal rules for Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot
IRCC’s 24 September update spells out how current Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot participants can renew study permits and how accompanying family members can extend or restore temporary status. The guidance preserves key exemptions from the national study-permit cap, giving French-language institutions outside Quebec a clearer path to keep foreign students on campus.
Montreal hosts ICAO TRIP Symposium on trusted digital travel identity
The ICAO TRIP Symposium concluded in Montreal on 24 September 2026, spotlighting next-generation digital travel credentials and AI-proof identity verification. Canada positioned itself as an early adopter, with trials of digital passports planned for major airports. Seamless, standardised digital IDs promise faster, more secure cross-border mobility for business travellers.
Canada and Viet Nam elevate ties to Strategic Partnership, pledge deeper mobility links
Canada and Viet Nam have upgraded their relationship to a Strategic Partnership following a 24-25 September 2026 state visit to Ottawa. The joint statement highlights plans to deepen trade, education and people-to-people links—opening the door to faster visa processing, expanded student mobility and potential new working-holiday quotas.
CBSA fire-arms smuggling probe underscores Canada’s C$1.3 billion border-security plan
CBSA’s seizure of 53 illegal firearms in Ontario highlights the agency’s expanded enforcement resources under Canada’s C$1.3 billion Border Plan. While the case chiefly concerns crime prevention, stricter inspections may affect cross-border logistics and employee transfers, underscoring the need for robust customs-compliance protocols.
Georgia advisory revised; Ottawa warns of protests and occupied-territory risks
Canada’s 24 September 2026 update for Georgia keeps the overall risk level unchanged but highlights elevated protest risks in Tbilisi and reiterates a strict “Avoid all travel” warning for Abkhazia, South Ossetia and nearby buffer zones. Companies should adjust route-planning and protest-avoidance protocols.
Statistics Canada Revises Non-Permanent Resident Count Upward by 240,000
Statistics Canada has added 240,000 people to its April 1, 2026 estimate of non-permanent residents after incorporating new CBSA exit data and pending permit-extension records. The upward revision shows the temporary-resident population is larger than previously thought, complicating Ottawa’s goal of shrinking it to 5 percent of total population by 2027 and forcing provinces and employers to reassess planning assumptions.
Canada updates U.S. travel advisory: Secure Status Cards still not accepted for air travel
Ottawa’s travel advisory for the United States, updated September 24, 2026, clarifies that Secure Status Cards and regular Status Cards are not acceptable documents for air travel. Indigenous Canadians flying for work or study must carry a passport or NEXUS card, although the cards remain valid at land and water crossings. Employers should adjust travel policies immediately to avoid denied boarding and border delays.
CBSA seizes 53 illegal firearms in Essex County, charges Ontario man with cross-border smuggling conspiracy
CBSA officers have seized 53 prohibited firearms and arrested an Essex County resident on ten smuggling-related charges. The high-profile bust, announced September 24, 2026, signals intensified border enforcement that could slow cross-border freight and business travel through southern Ontario gateways.
Historic ‘Home Children’ Program Opens New Door to Canadian Citizenship
A feature on the British ‘Home Children’ program highlights how recent amendments to Canada’s Citizenship Act allow many overseas descendants to claim Canadian citizenship. For global-mobility managers, undiscovered citizenship can eliminate visa costs and accelerate North American deployments.
Arctic Security Drill Tests New Powers Under Immigration & Borders Act
A multi-agency drill in Nunavut tested new immigration-enforcement powers in Arctic waters, signalling stricter document checks for shipping, mining and cruise operators using northern routes.