World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to helping international students, immigrants, and refugees achieve their educational and career goals in the United States and Canada. The weekly roundup includes research, stories, and events of interest to the Canadian immigration and settlement community. This content has been created by WES and is reproduced here with their permission, in partnership.
Canada’s most valuable import is talent – we need more of it (Globe & Mail)
As Canada grapples with tense trade relations with the United States, greater focused must be placed on ensuring Canada maintains its competitive advantage in recruiting global talent amid a strained economic climate. According to Daniel Barnhard, CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, recent talks on how to better position the Canadian economy should prioritize extending invitations to innovators from abroad who are able not only to enrich Canada’s social fabric but address critical socio-economic challenges. Instead of faulting immigrants for not having “Canadian experience”, an immigration strategy that builds a productive and prosperous Canada should incentivize “pre-Canadian” experience; allowing talent that has thrived elsewhere to be brought in house.
2025 mid-year review: major immigration policies and changes implemented (CIC News)
Throughout 2025, various shifts in immigration policy have contributed to significant implications for temporary and permanent residents. In October 2024, the federal government tabled the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan that highlighted drastic reductions in targets for permanent residency, as well as provincial allocations. For the first time, targets for temporary residency were introduced, outlining specific percentages for temporary resident and French speaking admissions (outside Quebec) for 2025 onward. New immigration pathways were launched including the Rural Community Immigration Pilot; Francophone Community Immigrant Pilot; and the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots. Updates were also introduced to Express Entry, with the removal of arranged employment points and amendments to occupation eligibility for category-based selection. International student programming has also experienced changes, with caps being placed on study permit applications and the removal of field of study requirements for international graduates of college bachelor’s programs.
Immigrants ‘in limbo’ after Quebec suspends pathway to permanent residence with little notice (The Gazette)
The Government of Quebec recently closed a vital economic immigration pathway, leaving many skilled immigrants uncertain of their futures in the province, due to expiring visas. In early June, Immigration Minister Jean-Francois Roberge announced that Quebec will no longer be accepting new applications from temporary foreign workers through the Quebec Experience Program until November 30, 2025. The program sought to expedite access to permanent residency for immigrants who have work experience in Quebec and demonstrate proficiency in the French language. According to Minister Roberge, the decision is partly due to a record influx of 416,000 non-permanent residents - which has mainly impacted major urban centres and is part of Quebec's immigration strategy to to help meet long-term goals of easing the housing market and address local labour shortages.
Palestinian students say visa delays have stranded them despite admission to Canadian schools (CBC)
While IRCC cites challenges in processing applications from Gazan students, advocates say more can and should be done to protect the most vulnerable. Despite being granted admission and receiving scholarships from universities across the country – nearly 70 students have been left in limbo, awaiting immigration processing in neighbouring countries, according to the Palestinian Students and Scholars at Risk association. IRCC notes that the department continues to face challenges in obtaining biometric data needed for critical security clearance. Tests that would gather personal information such as photos and fingerprints have been stalled, as Canada does not currently have a presence in the war zone. Professors working with the student organization are calling for action from the federal government, referring to other countries’ progress in providing support to Palestinian students.
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