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Leadership change in Canada: Trudeau’s resignation impacts immigration policies

Justin Trudeau resigned as leader of the Liberal Party and Canada’s Prime Minister. He will maintain his role until a new leader is selected. This decision, coupled with the prorogation of Parliament until March 2025, has created uncertainty around Canada’s immigration landscape. The immediate impact includes suspending all current bills and legislative processes until Parliament reconvenes.

The resignation comes amid declining popularity and internal party pressure, highlighted by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland’s departure. The prorogation affects several pending immigration initiatives, including changes to citizenship by descent legislation and recent reforms to study permits and permanent residency targets. With Parliament suspended and a mandatory election due by October 2025, many proposed immigration policies face potential delays or revisions under future leadership.

Canada kicks off 2025 with two Express Entry draws, inviting over 1,800 candidates

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) launched 2025 with two Express Entry draws in early January. The first draw on January 7 targeted Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, issuing 471 invitations with a cut-off score of 793 points. The following day, IRCC conducted a Canadian Experience Class draw, inviting 1,350 candidates with a minimum score of 542 points. These initial draws of 2025 have already resulted in 1,821 Invitations to Apply, building upon the momentum from 2024, which saw nearly 99,000 candidates invited through the Express Entry system.

The Express Entry system, launched in 2015, is Canada’s flagship immigration management system for skilled workers. It uses a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to evaluate candidates based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Candidates create profiles that enter a pool, where they receive CRS scores. IRCC invites the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence through regular draws. Whether you are considering the Express Entry system or exploring other immigration pathways, Abramovich Immigration Law’s experienced team can provide comprehensive guidance and support throughout your Canadian immigration journey.

Canada expands education fields eligible for PGWP

The Government of Canada has broadened its Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility criteria by including education-related fields of study, effective December 17, 2024. This expansion adds various educational programs, including early childhood education, Montessori teacher education, and childcare management, to the existing categories of agriculture, healthcare, STEM, trade, and transport. The move represents Canada’s strategic response to address critical teacher shortages nationwide.

The updated PGWP requirements reflect Canada’s commitment to aligning immigration policies with labour market demands. International students graduating from these newly added educational programs will now have enhanced opportunities to gain valuable Canadian work experience. This modification follows November 2024’s broader overhaul of the study and work permit system, marking a shift from occupation-focused eligibility to education-based fields. This will ultimately strengthen pathways to permanent residency for qualified candidates. 

Canadian passport ranks 7th globally in the 2025 Henley Index

The Canadian passport has secured the seventh position in the prestigious Henley Passport Index for 2025, sharing the spot with Malta and Poland. This ranking grants Canadian passport holders visa-free access to 188 out of 227 destinations worldwide, demonstrating the document’s significant international strength. The assessment was conducted by Henley & Partners, a leading residence and citizenship advisory firm.

In the global rankings, Singapore claims the top spot with access to 195 destinations, followed by Japan at 193. Meanwhile, the United States has experienced a notable decline, dropping from second to ninth place over the past decade. The index, which evaluates 199 passports using International Air Transport Authority data, places Finland, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, and Spain in third position, with access to 192 destinations.

Canada will not accept new PGP applications for 2025

IRCC has announced a pause in accepting new applications for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) throughout 2025. The department will focus solely on processing the existing applications submitted in 2024, with plans to handle up to 15,000 sponsorship applications. This decision aligns with a 20% reduction in permanent resident targets for 2025, bringing the PGP landing target down to 24,500 from the previously planned 34,000.

Despite this pause, Canadian citizens and permanent residents still have alternatives for bringing their parents and grandparents to Canada. The super visa program remains active, offering an option for extended family visits of up to five years at a time, with the possibility of multiple entries of up to 10 years. This temporary solution allows families to maintain connections while the permanent residency program undergoes this temporary adjustment. Contact Abramovich Immigration Law for more information.

Survey reveals 80% of newcomers think Canada lacks proper immigration planning

A recent poll conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights revealed that over 80% of newcomers believe Canada is accepting too many immigrants without adequate planning for housing, infrastructure, and employment opportunities. The survey, which gathered responses from 1,507 recent arrivals, highlights growing concerns about the country’s immigration system and its ability to support new residents effectively.

Despite these challenges, the survey also found that 79% of newcomers reported satisfaction with their overall quality of life in Canada, with three-quarters expressing contentment with education access and work-life balance. However, significant hurdles remain, particularly in employment, where newcomers face double the national unemployment rate and struggle with credential recognition. Two-thirds of respondents also expressed dissatisfaction with the cost of living, while approximately half reported concerns about healthcare system access.

Saskatchewan recorded a record job market expansion in 2024

Saskatchewan’s economy demonstrated remarkable resilience in 2024, creating 14,000 new jobs and achieving a record-breaking employment level of 606,200 people. The province maintained its competitive edge with a 5.5 percent unemployment rate, significantly lower than the national average of 6.7 percent, ranking third-lowest among all provinces. Deputy Premier Jim Reiter attributes this success to growing business confidence in the region’s economic stability.

The growth was particularly notable in key sectors, with healthcare and social assistance leading the way with an 11,200s job increase, while construction added 6,000 positions. Female employment reached an all-time high of 286,600, marking a 3.2 percent increase from the previous year. Saskatoon emerged as a major growth center, with employment rising by 12,100 jobs, representing a robust 6.1 percent increase compared to December 2023.

Abramovich Immigration Law is a leading Canadian immigration law firm specializing in Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, family sponsorship, and work permits. Our experienced team offers personalized guidance throughout the immigration process, delivering efficient solutions tailored to each client’s goals. Schedule a consultation with our immigration experts to discuss your case and explore the best pathway for Canadian immigration goals.