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Mon Jul

IRCC publishes 2025-2026 Departmental Plan

On June 20, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released its 2025–2026 Departmental Plan, marking a strategic shift in Canada’s immigration priorities. The plan introduces significant changes to both temporary and permanent immigration streams, reflecting the government’s broader efforts to balance economic needs with population and infrastructure pressures.

Here’s a breakdown of the most important changes and what they could mean for the future of Canadian immigration.

  1. EMPP to become a permanent stream

One of the headline announcements is IRCC’s plan to make the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) a permanent immigration stream by the end of 2025. The EMPP supports skilled refugees by allowing them to immigrate to Canada through existing economic programs.

Making this pilot permanent signifies Canada’s commitment to inclusive immigration, recognising refugees not just as asylum seekers but also as contributors to the economy.

In addition, the department is exploring a new PR pathway specifically for refugee students, which could further enhance educational access and long-term settlement opportunities for displaced youth.

  1. New foreign worker stream

In collaboration with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), IRCC will launch a foreign labour stream and sector-specific work permit for the agriculture and fish processing sectors, sectors that are heavily reliant on temporary workers.

  • Replaces gaps left by the recent closure of the Agri-Food Pilot.
  • Signals a shift toward targeted, industry-driven immigration tools.
  • May expand bilateral labour agreements with partner countries to streamline hiring for employers in rural and remote regions.

This is an essential move, considering chronic labour shortages in agri-food sectors and the growing demand for stable foreign worker pipelines.

3. Overhaul of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
IRCC has committed to developing a new framework to regularly update PGWP field of study eligibility based on labour market needs.

This follows the June 25, 2025 update, which:

  • Added 119 fields of study to the PGWP eligibility list.
  • Removed 178 outdated fields, especially in transport, environmental studies, and certain trades.

4. Changes to Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) eligibility

IRCC plans to revise eligibility for SOWPs issued to spouses of:

  • Foreign workers
  • International students

While specific changes have not yet been released, the intent is to ensure better labour market integration and prevent misuse, likely by aligning spousal access to the Canadian labour market with the principal applicant’s program and occupation.

5. Free Trade Agreements and Work Permits

Canada is expanding its use of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to facilitate labour mobility:

  • Implementation of new FTAs with Indonesia and Ecuador will create new work permit categories.
  • Negotiations will continue with ASEAN members and countries seeking accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

These changes are designed to:

  • Enhance international trade relations
  • Attract highly skilled workers and business talent
  • Offer reciprocal work opportunities for Canadians abroad

6. Improved online processing

IRCC will continue rolling out a unified online account platform for all clients, which aims to:

  • Improve user experience and transparency
  • Enable better application tracking
  • Provide a centralised location for communications

This effort supports IRCC’s goal of achieving 80% application processing within standard service timelines, and 90% client satisfaction across all streams.

7. Francophone Immigration

IRCC’s Departmental Plan also includes steps to:

  • Finalize the Welcoming Francophone Communities Initiative (WFCs), to attract and support French-speaking newcomers outside Quebec.
  • Increase the share of French-speaking PRs outside Quebec to 8.5%.

8. Geomatch

In collaboration with Stanford University, IRCC is testing GeoMatch, a machine-learning tool designed to help Express Entry applicants choose provinces or cities based on settlement success metrics.

On the public engagement front, IRCC has set a goal that at least 65% of Canadians support current immigration levels by the end of 2026. In 2023–2024, this number had dropped to 50%, a sharp decline from 67% in 2021–2022, due to rising public concerns over infrastructure stress.

With multiple new pathways, technological innovations, and a transparent roadmap, Canada is positioning itself to remain competitive in the global talent race while responding to real domestic pressures.

Immigrants, employers, and provinces alike will need to adapt to the changing landscape, but the direction is clear: immigration in Canada is evolving to be smarter, more strategic, and more attuned to long-term success.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit or Migrate to Canada, talk to I Can Help Immigration Services, at +1 778 239 7861 or +1 647 453 7660 with RCIC # R413239, Canada’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company to get the best help you need.

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