IRCC Officially Announces New Dedicated Foreign Worker Stream for Agriculture and Fish Processing Sector
The Canadian federal government is turning its attention to one of the nation's most pressing labour market needs. According to the 2025-2026 Departmental Plan released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in June , the department has confirmed it is developing a new, dedicated pathway for foreign workers in the agriculture and fish processing sectors.
The official document states that IRCC plans to collaborate with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) on policy development and public consultations for the new stream during 2025-2026. This move is part of the Canadian government's broader strategy to better manage temporary resident levels while ensuring that immigration policies are precisely aligned with the nation's economic objectives.
Core Features of the New Stream
While specific details are still under development, the plan outlines several core features of the upcoming stream:
- Sector-Specific Work Permit: The new stream will include a work permit tailored specifically for this sector. This means the application process and requirements will be more targeted, which is expected to improve processing efficiency.
- Expanded International Partnerships: IRCC has indicated that the new stream may seek to expand agreements with specific partner countries. This would provide Canadian employers with a more streamlined and efficient process for hiring agricultural and fish processing workers from these nations.
- Priority Processing: The 2025-2026 Departmental Plan also emphasizes that applications for temporary foreign workers in "essential sectors," with agriculture and food processing explicitly listed, will be prioritized. This highlights the government's commitment to securing the labour supply for these industries.
Addressing Persistent Labour Shortages
Agriculture has long been a cornerstone of Canada's economy, but the sector has consistently faced significant labour demand and persistent worker shortages. The severity of this challenge is also reflected in current immigration policy; "Agriculture and agri-food occupations" is already a targeted category in Express Entry's category-based selection draws.
The creation of this new stream is also widely interpreted as a move to fill the policy gap left by the recent closure of the Agri-Food Pilot. Launched in 2020, the pilot program provided a direct pathway to permanent residence for foreign workers in specific occupations—such as meat product manufacturing, greenhouse production, and animal production—to help employers in this high-demand sector meet their labour needs.
However, on February 13 of this year, IRCC announced that the pilot had reached its application cap for 2024 and was no longer accepting new submissions. Typically, pilot programs run for a maximum of five years before they either expire or are replaced by permanent programs. The establishment of this new stream is likely a more scalable and durable solution, built upon the successful elements of the Agri-Food Pilot, designed to provide sustained support for the prosperity of Canada's agriculture and fish processing sectors.
Canada Adjusts Financial Requirement for International Students, Effective September
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced on June 2, 2025, an upcoming adjustment to the proof of funds requirement for study permit applicants. Effective September 1, 2025, a single applicant will need to demonstrate access to at least C$22,895 for living expenses. The change, which excludes applicants destined for Quebec, is intended to ensure the financial threshold accurately reflects Canada's current cost of living.
07/04/2025
OINP Undergoes Key Policy Shift: Ontario Can Now Return Applications, Prioritizing "High-Quality" Candidates
Effective July 1, 2025, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has officially implemented a series of new regulations. Under the Working for Workers Seven Act, Ontario's immigration authority has been granted greater autonomy. The most notable change is that the OINP now has the authority to return applications that do not align with current priorities and issue a full refund. This measure aims to ensure that the limited provincial nomination spots are used to attract candidates who can best meet the urgent needs of Ontario's labour market. The new policy also includes mandatory in-person interviews, adjusted education requirements for specific occupations, and the full launch of a new Employer Portal, signaling a fundamental shift in Ontario's immigration selection strategy.
07/03/2025
International Education Stream Dominates Latest Manitoba PNP Draw
On June 26, 2025, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) conducted its latest draw, issuing Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) to foreign skilled workers and international students with strong connections to the province. The highlight of this draw was the International Education Stream, which invited 478 candidates, all of whom were required to have a close relative supporter residing in Manitoba. The Skilled Worker streams targeted high-scoring candidates selected through strategic recruitment initiatives, issuing 14 invitations and showcasing the province's strategy for targeted talent acquisition.
07/02/2025
IRCC Officially Announces New Dedicated Foreign Worker Stream for Agriculture and Fish Processing Sector
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has revealed in its latest Departmental Plan that it is developing a new stream for foreign workers in the agriculture and fish processing industries. The initiative aims to effectively tackle Canada's long-standing agricultural labour shortages through the introduction of sector-specific work permits and potentially expanded international agreements. This new stream is also viewed as a successor to the Agri-Food Pilot, which recently reached its application cap.
06/30/2025
Alberta Launches Intensive Provincial Nomination Draws, Opens Doors to Global Talent Across Five Streams
Between June 5 and 19, 2025, Alberta's Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) conducted an intensive series of five separate provincial nomination draws, issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible candidates. This series of draws precisely targeted key gaps in the province's labour market, focusing on attracting talent with professional experience and in-demand skills in specific sectors. Data reveals that over 2,300 nomination spots remain for Alberta's 2025 annual allocation, presenting significant opportunities for global applicants.
06/30/2025
British Columbia Releases 2024 PNP Annual Report: Skills Immigration Dominates, Early Childhood Education Emerges as Top-Nominated Field
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) has recently released its 2024 annual statistical report. The report shows that the province successfully issued its full allocation of 8,000 nominations in 2024, with the Skills Immigration category accounting for a staggering 99%. A notable trend is that, driven by the provincial government's prioritization of Early Childhood Educators (ECEs), occupations in education and social services have surpassed the tech sector to become the category with the most nominees. Furthermore, the report provides a detailed breakdown of nominee salary levels, primary countries of origin, and confirms major changes made to immigration pathways for international students in 2024.
06/29/2025
Canada Charts Course for 2025-2026 Immigration Policy: New PR Pathway Planned Amid Continued Tightening of Temporary Resident Rules
On June 20, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) unveiled its 2025-2026 Departmental Plan, setting a clear direction for immigration policy over the next two years. The plan introduces new immigration avenues for specific groups while continuing and reinforcing the policy of tightening controls on the temporary resident population, a trend that began in 2024. Key measures include proposing the conversion of the 'Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot' into a permanent immigration stream, creating a new work permit for the agriculture and fish processing sectors, adjusting eligibility for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) and Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs), and explicitly capping the temporary resident population at 5% of Canada's total population. These initiatives reflect the Canadian government's balancing act between attracting needed talent and alleviating pressure on domestic social services.
06/27/2025
Canada's Express Entry Holds Second Draw in a Week, a Major Boost for Experience Class Candidates
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has once again issued invitations through the Express Entry system this week. This latest draw was exclusively for candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) who have prior work experience in Canada. A total of 3,000 candidates were invited to apply for permanent residence, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 521. This marks the first time since February that IRCC has held large-scale CEC draws in consecutive weeks, sparking discussions about a potential shift in future immigration selection trends.
06/27/2025
Canada Overhauls PGWP-Eligible Programs to Align with 2025 Labour Market Demands
On June 25, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a sweeping overhaul of the eligible fields of study for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The changes, designed to align the program with Canada's projected labour market needs for 2025, introduce 119 new eligible programs while removing 178. The new policy heavily favors fields such as healthcare, education, and the trades, while significantly scaling back eligibility for programs in transport and agriculture. These adjustments will primarily impact international students in non-degree programs who apply for their study permit on or after November 1, 2024.
06/26/2025
McGill University Named Canada's Top Institution in 2026 QS World University Rankings, with Four Schools in Global Top 100
The global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) has released its highly anticipated 2026 World University Rankings. This year's edition highlights a major shift in Canada's top-tier academic landscape: McGill University in Montreal, ranked 27th globally, has surpassed the long-reigning University of Toronto (29th) to become the nation's highest-ranked institution. The University of British Columbia and the University of Alberta also secured their places within the global top 100. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the performance and key metrics of Canada's leading universities, along with an essential guide for prospective international students on applying for a Study Permit and a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
06/25/2025
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