On August 22, 2024, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) held a draw under the Skilled Trades Stream of the Express Entry system, inviting a total of 1,287 candidates to apply for provincial nomination. This round of invitations specifically targeted candidates with Express Entry profiles that had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score falling within the range of 400 to 435. Additionally, to be eligible for selection, candidates were required to possess experience in one of the 46 skilled trade occupations designated as primary National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes. The selected candidates have now been given the opportunity to pursue provincial nomination through the OINP, which can significantly enhance their prospects of obtaining permanent residence in Ontario, Canada.

August 2024: As of the latest update, Canada has announced changes to its visit visa policy, making it easier for individuals to apply for and obtain a visit visa to the country. The new regulations aim to streamline the process and attract more visitors to Canada for tourism, business, and other purposes. Applicants will now benefit from a simplified online application process, with reduced documentation requirements and faster processing times. Additionally, the visa fees have been adjusted to make them more affordable for potential visitors. These changes reflect Canada's commitment to promoting tourism and fostering cultural exchange with the rest of the world. Travellers interested in visiting Canada can now take advantage of these updates to plan their trips more conveniently and enjoy the country's natural beauty, vibrant cities, and diverse culture.

The impact of changing interest rates, population increases, natural emigration patterns, and other variables has significantly affected housing costs in 2024. Cost of Housing in 2024 are as follows. 1. Toronto, Ontario: Despite recent fluctuations in the real estate market, the average cost of purchasing a home in Toronto remains high, with prices starting at $800,000 for a modest single-family dwelling. 2. Vancouver, British Columbia: Vancouver continues to be one of the most expensive cities to buy a home in Canada, with average prices exceeding $1 million for a detached property. 3. Montreal, Quebec: The housing market in Montreal offers more affordable options compared to Toronto and Vancouver, with average prices ranging from $400,000 to $600,000 for a standard home. 4. Calgary, Alberta: Calgary provides a mixed housing market, with prices varying depending on the neighbourhood and property type. The average cost of buying a home in Calgary is approximately $500,000. 5. Halifax, Nova Scotia: Halifax offers relatively affordable housing compared to larger cities, with average prices starting at $300,000 for a detached house. 6. Winnipeg, Manitoba: The cost of purchasing a home in Winnipeg remains relatively stable, with prices averaging around $350,000 for a single-family dwelling. 7. St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador: St. John's provides affordable housing options, with average prices ranging from $250,000 to $400,000 depending on the neighbourhood.

Canada could consider waiving eligibility requirements for thousands of people to reduce the backlog of visa applications. Jan 2023

The Government of Canada is continuing to implement innovative immigration measures, such as creating pathways for non-status migrants. to assist Canadian employers in addressing serious labour shortages. Jan 2023

The BC PNP has issued more than 190 new invitations to Permanent residents. 154 invitations were sent through a general draw including technical positions and express entry categories. Jan 2023

In the January 2023 Express Entry draw, 5,500 profiles were invited to submit a permanent resident (PR) application. Candidates with an overall ranking system (CRS) score of 490 or higher received the invitations. Jan 2023