Hi friends! 👋

Good morning and happy Sunday! 
It’s January 19, Welcome to another TheCanindian Weekly edition And welcome to the unofficial start of true Canadian winter an incoming polar vortex is expected to be the most significant cold air mass to hit Canada in over a decade, sending temperatures plummeting as low as -40 C in some parts of the country.

And in this weekend edition we’ve packed this week exciting Immigration updates and News.

Today’s edition reading time is 6 minutes.

In today’s email:

1. 🔔 This year’s immigration Draw

2. 🚨 Changes in Spousal Open Work Permit Criteria

3. IRCC: Canada Strengthens Border Security and Immigration Integrity

4. Ontario: NEW REDI Pilot Program to Attract 800 Skilled Immigrants

5. Quebec Reopens Three Specialized Immigration Pilot Programs

6. Manitoba Receives 4,750 Nominee Slots for 2025

7. PEI Faces 50% Reduction in Immigration Allocation for 2025, with 1,025 Slots

8. Nova Scotia Criticizes Federal Immigration Cuts for 2025, with 3,150 Slots

9. Newfoundland and Labrador's Immigration Allocation to 1,525 for 2025

   So, Why wait?

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This Year’s Immigration Draw

🔔Express Entry Draw #331 on January 7th invited 471 candidates under the PNP category.
🔔Express Entry CEC Draw #332 invited 1,350 candidates under the Canadian Experience Class.
🔔Manitoba PNP's first draw of 2025 invited 197 candidates.

You can find any draw for any occupation using this tracker.

You can find all draws here.

🚨 Changes in Spousal Open Work Permit Criteria

Starting January 21, 2025, new rules for spousal open work permits (OWP) will take effect for families of international students and foreign workers.

👨‍🎓For Work-Permit Holders:

• Spouses of work permit holders can apply for an OWP if the worker is employed in TEER 0, 1, or select TEER 2 or 3 occupations (e.g., healthcare, construction, science). The worker must have 16+ months remaining on their permit. Full list will available on January 21, 2025.

🚨Other Key Changes:

1. Dependent children are no longer eligible for OWPs.

2. Previous OWPs remain valid.

👨‍🎓For International Students: Starting April 30, 2024, spouses of students in certain programs (e.g., DDS, LLB, MD) can apply for an OWP.

For full details, click here.

Tip for International Students:

When you complete your studies and transition to a Post-graduate work permit, your spouse may be eligible to apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP).

To qualify:

1. You must be working in an eligible occupation (TEER 0, 1, or in selected TEER 2 or 3 occupations) after obtaining your work permit.

2. You need to have at least 16 months remaining on your work permit when your spouse applies.

So, make sure your work permit aligns with these criteria to help your spouse get an OWP.

This week news

IRCC

Canada Strengthens Border Security and Immigration Integrity

On January 15, 2025, the Honorable David J. McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety, and the Honorable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, provided updates on recent measures to strengthen Canada’s border security and immigration system, including the $1.3-billion Border Plan introduced in December 2024. Key actions taken include:

1. Minimizing Border Volumes: Efforts to reduce non-genuine visitors and illegal crossings, including 60 new drones deployed and additional surveillance towers and technology.

2. Asylum Seekers: The CBSA removed over 16,000 individuals from Canada in 2024, and plans to increase removals by 25% in 2025.

3. Intelligence and Cooperation: Creation of a Joint Intelligence Group for better targeting of transnational crime and fentanyl trafficking.

4. Enhanced Visa and Border Processes:

   • 97% drop in asylum claims from Mexican nationals after the introduction of a partial visa requirement.

   • 89% drop in illegal U.S. crossings by foreign nationals and a 61% increase in refusals from high-risk countries.

   • 91% drop in illegal U.S. crossings by Canadian study permit holders following reforms to the International Student Program.

   • Ended "flagpoling," reducing it by 86% and saving thousands of work hours.

5. Technology and Training: CBSA deploying new canine teams and advanced detection tools such as artificial intelligence and hand-held chemical analyzers. read more

Ontario

NEW REDI Pilot Program to Attract 800 Skilled Immigrants to Rural Ontario

• Launched the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot program

• REDI aims to attract 800 skilled immigrants to four rural and northern regions: Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Sarnia-Lambton, and Thunder Bay

• The pilot will run from January 2 to December 31, 2025.

Quebec

Quebec Reopens Three Specialized Immigration Pilot Programs

Quebec has reopened its three specialized immigration pilot programs on January 13, 2025, to address labor shortages in key sectors. These programs offer eligible workers a pathway to permanent residence (PR) and focus on:

• Food Processing Workers (PP TA)

• Beneficiary Attendants (PP PAB)

• Workers in AI, IT, and Visual Effects (PP IA/TI-EV)

Key Details:

• Application Period: January 13 to December 31, 2025

• Application Limits: 600 each for Food Processing and Beneficiary Attendants, 600 total for AI/IT-Visual Effects (split evenly)

• 150 spots for Francization profile applicants

• Programs expire January 1, 2026

Read more

Manitoba

Manitoba Receives 4,750 Nominee Slots for 2025

Manitoba welcomed a record 9,540 skilled newcomers through the provincial nominee program in 2024 and is now seeking a 26% increase in its quota to 12,000 nominees for 2025. This year, Manitoba received only 4,750 nominee slots through the PNP. Manitoba’s labour minister, Malaya Marcelino, is pushing for more nominees to address labour shortages, particularly in rural and northern areas. The province has added 41 full-time staff to process applications and is focusing on matching skills in sectors like manufacturing, professional roles, and skilled trades. Manitoba expects to hear back from the federal government by late February 2025. Read more.

New Brunswick

New Brunswick is inviting skilled newcomers to explore exciting career opportunities in a welcoming community. Read more

📅 February 2025

• Virtual Skilled Trades Event (National) – Online (registration required)

• Healthcare & Education Mission:
  • Feb 9-10: Dubai, UAE 🇦🇪
  • Feb 12-13: Doha, Qatar 🇶🇦

📅 March 2025

• Long-Term Care Mission:
  • Mar 22-23: Manila, Philippines 🇵🇭
  • Mar 25: Cebu, Philippines 🇵🇭

Prince Edward Island

PEI Faces 50% Reduction in Immigration Allocation for 2025, with 1,025 Slots

According to CBC News, the Government of Prince Edward Island (PEI) has announced a 50% reduction in its immigration allocation for 2025, with Ottawa granting 1,025 spaces through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Atlantic Immigration Program. This cut is part of a broader federal effort to reduce immigration targets across Canada.

PEI had already voluntarily reduced its provincial nominations in 2024 to 1,590 out of an allocated 2,050 to manage growth and strain on services. The province is now prioritizing nominations for critical labor shortages in sectors like healthcare, construction, manufacturing, and early childhood education. This reduction has raised concerns among businesses and foreign workers about future prospects and uncertainty. Read more.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Criticizes Federal Immigration Cuts for 2025, with 3,150 Slots

Groups in Nova Scotia are strongly criticizing the federal government's decision to cut immigration allocations in half for 2025. Key points include:

• Nova Scotia's new immigration allocation for 2025 is 3,150, down from 6,300 in 2024.

• The Nova Scotia Nominee Program cut from 3,570 to 1,785, and the Atlantic Immigration Program from 2,730 to 1,365.

• Industry leaders, especially in construction and hospitality, call the cuts "short-sighted" and "irresponsible."

• Immigration Minister Nolan Young emphasized focusing on critical sectors like construction and healthcare.

These reductions are part of a broader federal strategy to lower immigration targets across Canada, raising concerns about their impact on Nova Scotia’s economy and labor market. Read more

Newfoundland and Labrador

New Provincial Nominee Program for Film and TV Workers in Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador has launched a new Provincial Nominee Program to attract and retain talent in the film and television industry. This policy supports newcomers working in cyclical, full-time jobs.

For example:

• Someone employed on a four-month TV production with expected future projects may now be eligible for permanent residency.

The policy aims to strengthen the local workforce and encourage artists to make the province their permanent home and creative hub. Read more

Federal Government Cuts Newfoundland and Labrador's Immigration Allocation to 1,525 for 2025

The federal government has drastically reduced Newfoundland and Labrador's immigration allocation to 1,525 spaces for 2025, halving it from the previous year. Key changes include:

• Total economic immigration allocation cut from 3,050 to 1,525 spaces.

• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) spaces reduced from 2,100 to 1,050.

• Atlantic Immigration Program spots cut from 950 to 475.

• 75% of PNP spaces are now reserved for temporary workers already in the province.

• The province can now recruit a maximum of 737 new economic immigrants.

Immigration Minister Sarah Stoodley expressed surprise and concern, warning of significant economic impacts. This reduction is part of the federal government's broader strategy to decrease immigration targets across Canada. Read more

In The Know

💵 Many job openings under Alberta’s Rural Renewal Stream Job Board. Go apply directly.

📢 Majority of immigrants have trouble finding employment matching their expertise

🚫 IRCC Proposed new penalties Up to $1.5 Million for paid immigration representatives who break the law

💵 Manitoba wants even more skilled workers in 2025 asks for 12,000 this year.

📊 Nearly 50,000 foreign students listed as ‘no-shows’ by Canadian schools

Quick Wins

💄Sephora is offering free same-day delivery with code GIFTSNOW. Also, it’s giving 20% off full-size fragrances with code FRAGRANCE20.

🧥Columbia is offering up to 40% off select items. This is your sign to get a new winter coat before it gets to January. 

📱Bell is offering 100GB of fastest and most reliable 5G+ network for just 50$.

👞Puma is offering up to 60% off select items for its semi-annual sale plus an extra 30% off for Boxing Day sales. Don’t sleep on these year-end savings.