Last Updated On 12 November 2022, 7:50 PM EST (Toronto Time)
Often Canada immigration applications take months or for certain categories years to process. It may be common for people to experience changes in their lives as they wait. For example, getting married is one of the common changes an applicant experiences as they wait for their application to be processed.
Suppose you are someone whose family composition changed while your permanent residency application was in the process. In that case, you can learn how it will impact your application and the steps you should take.
It is important to remember that IRCC requires you to notify them of any changes to your application, including any information regarding dependant spouses.
In this article, you can learn:
- What to do if you get married after applying for Canada PR
- How to add your spouse before IRCC processes you application
- How to add your spouse after receiving ITA
- How to check your spouse’s immigration status
- Getting married after your PR application is approved but you are outside Canada
What to do if you get married after applying for Canada PR?
As mentioned earlier, you must inform IRCC of any changes in your family composition, such as getting married and having a spouse. However, you do have the option to either add your spouse as a dependent in your application. Or, apply for your spouse separately (this may require more paperwork).
Nevertheless, you must inform IRCC of the change in your marital status even if your spouse is not accompanying you to Canada.
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Adding your spouse before IRCC processes your application
If your application is in the initial stage and is pending a decision, you can add your spouse. Depending on your application type, you may need to complete the following forms for your spouse.
Forms to include
- Form IMM5667 – Schedule A Background/Declaration
- Form IMM 5406 – Additional family information
- Form IMM 5474 – Use of a representative (if applicable)
Official documents to include
- Marriage certificate (in English or French)
- Updated birth registration or marriage ID (if applicable)
- Any official document from the place of marriage
Other supporting documents to evidence a genuine relationship
- Proof of shared finances such as joint bank accounts, shared bills, or investments
- Letters from friends and family
- Photographs of multiple occasions
- Evidence of cohabitation, like a shared lease
- Any other document proving your genuine relationship
To add your spouse, you may need to pay application fees for the following:
- Sponsorship fee: $75
- Processing fee: $570
- Biometrics fees: $85
- Right to permanent resident fee: $515
How to add your spouse after receiving an ITA?
If you received an Invitation to Apply and submitted your application, you could still add your new spouse to your application. First, inform IRCC about the recent change in your marital status. Then IRCC will send you a list of documents required to add your spouse to your application.
How to check your spouse’s immigration status after adding her to your application?
If you added your new spouse to your application and want to check if IRCC has processed your updated information, log in to your “My Account” and view details.
Once you open your account, check if your application lists any dependents. If you notice that no dependents are added to your account, IRCC has not yet processed your spouse’s information.
Additionally, spouses must be eligible for entry to Canada under existing immigration laws, which implies that they must satisfy the security, criminal, and medical requirements. They will be deemed inadmissible to Canada if they fail to meet any of these criteria, which will affect your PR application.
Getting married after your PR application has been approved, but you are yet to enter Canada
If your PR application is approved, but you are outside Canada, ensure that you update your marital status before entering Canada. IRCC may reevaluate your application. However, failure to inform IRCC may be deemed a misrepresentation and can impact your PR and future applications.
Even if your spouse is not accompanying you to Canada, you must inform IRCC of your marital status change before landing in Canada. If you added your spouse, they might review your spouse’s medical and grounds of inadmissibility.
Alternatively, you can sponsor your spouse to bring you to Canada. However, there are different processes for outland and inland spousal application.
- Latest Express Entry Draw On September 14 Issues 576 PR Invitations
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada conducted a new Provincial Nominee Program Express Entry draw on September 14, 2026, issuing 576 invitations to apply for permanent residence.
The Comprehensive Ranking System cutoff for the lowest-ranked candidate invited in this round was 734 points.
That CRS threshold is 37 points higher than the 697 recorded on August 31, which was the lowest PNP cutoff of 2026.
The 576 invitations represent a slight increase from the 562 sent in the previous PNP round two weeks earlier.
Candidates who received an invitation now have exactly 60 calendar days to submit a complete permanent residence application through their Express Entry account.
Table of Contents
Full Express Entry Draw Details For September 14
IRCC held this draw at 10:26:01 UTC on September 14, 2026, selecting candidates who held valid provincial nominations in their Express Entry profiles.
The table below contains every official detail published by IRCC for this round.
Draw Detail Value Draw Category Provincial Nominee Program Date and Time (UTC) September 14, 2026, at 10:26:01 Number of Invitations Issued 576 CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate 734 Rank Needed 576 or above Tie-Breaking Rule August 29, 2026, at 21:39:50 UTC When multiple candidates share the cutoff CRS score of 734, IRCC uses profile submission timestamps to determine who receives an invitation.
For this draw, candidates with exactly 734 points only received invitations if they submitted their Express Entry profiles before August 29, 2026, at 21:39:50 UTC.
Any eligible PNP candidate with a CRS score above 734 received an invitation regardless of when their profile was created.
How The Tie-Breaking Rule Worked In This Draw
IRCC applies the tie-breaking rule when more than one candidate shares the minimum CRS score at the cutoff.
For the September 14 draw, the tie-breaking timestamp was set at August 29, 2026 at 21:39:50 UTC.
This means candidates with exactly 734 points were invited only if they created their Express Entry profiles before that date and time.
A tie-breaking date of August 29 is approximately 16 days before the draw, which is relatively recent compared to the August 31 PNP round that used a tie-breaking date of April 12, over four months before that draw.
The difference in tie-breaking timestamps may reflect a smaller number of candidates sharing the exact cutoff score in this round, though IRCC does not publish the data needed to confirm this directly.
Latest CRS Score Distribution In The Express Entry Pool
The Express Entry pool contained 226,793 candidates as of September 13, 2026, one day before this draw was conducted.
That total reflects a slight decline from the pool size recorded in early September and continues the gradual contraction that has been underway since the pool peaked above 233,000 candidates in April.
Sub-rows provide a detailed breakdown of the bold total immediately above them in each score band.
CRS Score Range Number of Candidates 601–1200 574 501–600 20,784 451–500 72,107 491–500 12,590 481–490 12,426 471–480 16,105 461–470 16,163 451–460 14,823 401–450 61,560 441–450 13,657 431–440 13,300 421–430 12,064 411–420 11,506 401–410 11,033 351–400 46,782 301–350 17,240 0–300 7,746 Total 226,793 The 601–1200 range contained just 574 candidates on September 13, which is where all provincial nominees sit because of their 600-point bonus.
IRCC issued 576 invitations against a pool that showed 574 candidates in that range the day prior, which means at least two more eligible high-ranking profiles were present in the pool by the time the draw was conducted.
The 501–600 band holds 20,784 candidates and remains the primary zone from which Canadian Experience Class draws pull invitations.
Candidates scoring in the 451–500 range account for 72,107 profiles, the single largest concentration in the pool, and most need either a significant CRS improvement or a provincial nomination to receive an invitation through current draw patterns.
All The PNP Express Entry Draws In 2026
The September 14 draw is the 18th PNP round that IRCC has conducted in 2026, with CRS cutoffs ranging from 697 to 805 and invitation volumes fluctuating between 264 and 955.
The table below tracks every PNP Express Entry draw this year to illustrate how both the CRS floor and invitation counts have shifted over time.
Draw Date Invitations Issued CRS Cutoff January 5, 2026 574 711 January 20, 2026 681 746 February 3, 2026 423 749 February 16, 2026 279 789 March 2, 2026 264 710 March 16, 2026 362 742 March 30, 2026 356 802 April 13, 2026 324 786 April 27, 2026 473 795 May 11, 2026 380 798 May 25, 2026 334 805 June 22, 2026 955 730 July 6, 2026 534 708 July 20, 2026 511 744 August 4, 2026 507 768 August 17, 2026 442 760 August 31, 2026 562 697 September 14, 2026 576 734 The lowest PNP cutoff of the year remains the 697 recorded on August 31, while the highest was 805 on May 25.
September 14 sits roughly in the middle of that range, suggesting the pool of provincial nominees is stabilizing after months of fluctuation.
Where This Draw Fits In The September Cluster
IRCC has grouped its Express Entry draws into concentrated clusters since March, following a pattern where a PNP round opens the window, followed by CEC and category-based draws within a few days.
The September 1 CEC draw issued 2,000 invitations at CRS 521, arriving the day after the August 31 PNP round that started the previous cluster.
A physicians draw on September 3 and a healthcare category draw on September 4 completed that cluster, with the healthcare round sending 3,500 invitations at CRS 475.
The September 14 PNP draw now opens a new cluster, and based on recent sequencing, a CEC draw may be the most likely next round, potentially followed by a French-language proficiency or other category-based draw within the next few days.
This biweekly cluster pattern has been one of the most consistent features of the 2026 Express Entry calendar, though IRCC does not publish a fixed schedule.
Steps For Candidates Who Received An Invitation
Candidates who received an invitation to apply in this draw have 60 calendar days from the date of invitation to submit a complete electronic application for permanent residence.
The application requires:
- police certificates from every country where the applicant and any family members aged 18 or older have stayed for six consecutive months or longer during the last 10 years,
- medical examination results from an IRCC-designated panel physician,
- proof of language test results,
- an educational credential assessment to claim education points for foreign credentials,
- reference letters for work experience claims, and
- proof of funds where required by the applicant’s underlying Express Entry program.
Proof-of-funds requirements depend on which federal program the candidate qualifies under, not on whether they hold a provincial nomination.
Canadian Experience Class applicants are not required to show proof of funds, while Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades applicants may also be exempt if they are currently authorized to work in Canada and hold a valid job offer.
Missing the 60-day deadline has serious consequences.
If the invitation expires without a complete application being submitted, IRCC removes the candidate’s profile from the Express Entry pool entirely, and the candidate must submit a new profile to re-enter the system.
A candidate who chooses to decline the invitation while still eligible may have their profile returned to the pool, but an expired invitation does not produce the same result.
Current IRCC processing times show permanent residence applications submitted through the Canadian Experience Class and PNP streams are taking approximately six to seven months.
Improving Your CRS Score For Future Draws
Candidates who did not receive an invitation in this round should focus on the strategies that produce the largest CRS gains in the shortest time.
Language test improvements remain the single most effective lever for most candidates, as even a one-band increase in a single IELTS or CELPIP skill area can add 15 to 30 CRS points depending on the overall profile composition.
Retaking a language test with a targeted study plan is faster than accumulating additional work experience or completing a new credential.
Candidates who are over 30 and losing age-related CRS points can partially offset those deductions through additional Canadian education or accumulated post-graduation work experience.
Securing a provincial nomination remains the most powerful CRS boost available, adding 600 points that significantly improve a candidate’s ranking in the pool.
IRCC states that a provincial nomination helps a candidate get invited to apply, though the candidate still needs a base CRS score high enough to clear the cutoff after the 600-point boost is applied.
Candidates should verify that the occupation listed on their Express Entry profile accurately matches their duties under the current NOC 2021 classification, which IRCC continues to use for Express Entry eligibility.
Candidates who qualify for French-language proficiency draws should consider that pathway as well, given that French rounds have offered some of the lowest CRS cutoffs among Express Entry draw categories in 2026, with only the physicians-with-Canadian-work-experience category producing lower thresholds.
What Express Entry Draws To Expect Next
Based on the draw cluster pattern that IRCC has maintained throughout 2026, a CEC draw targeting candidates with Canadian work experience may be the most likely next round.
That CEC draw would typically arrive within 1 to 2 business days of today’s PNP round, though IRCC does not publish a fixed schedule.
A French-language proficiency draw or another category-based draw targeting in-demand occupations could close the cluster later this week.
Candidates should check their IRCC online account regularly, as invitation notifications appear directly in the Express Entry profile and the 60-day deadline begins immediately upon issuance.
Several immigration changes are also taking effect this month, including updated study permit financial requirements and new IRB rules on the use of artificial intelligence in refugee proceedings that became effective September 7.
The September 14 PNP draw confirms that the Provincial Nominee Program remains one of the most active permanent residence pathways under Express Entry in 2026.
With a CRS cutoff of 734, a base score of approximately 134 was all that was needed once the 600-point nomination bonus was applied.
Candidates who hold a valid provincial nomination are well-positioned for future PNP rounds this year, while candidates without a nomination should explore options through Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba before the remaining 2026 allocations are exhausted.
Follow Immigration News Canada for verified Express Entry draw results, Canadian immigration news, and IRCC draw updates as each round is published.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many more PNP Express Entry draws are expected before the end of 2026?
IRCC has conducted 18 PNP Express Entry draws between January and mid-September 2026, running on a roughly biweekly cycle. If that pace holds through December, candidates can expect approximately six to seven additional PNP draws before the year closes. The exact number depends on how quickly provinces release remaining nominations into the Express Entry pool and whether IRCC adjusts its cluster frequency during the final quarter.
Can a candidate receive a provincial nomination after already being in the Express Entry pool?
Yes, candidates can apply for a provincial nomination while their Express Entry profile is active and then add the nomination to their existing profile once it is received. Adding the nomination triggers an automatic 600-point CRS boost that recalculates the candidate’s ranking in the pool immediately. The candidate does not need to create a new profile, but the nomination must be linked to the Express Entry profile before the next PNP draw occurs in order to be considered for that round.
Why did the CRS cutoff rise from 697 on August 31 to 734 on September 14?
PNP cutoffs are driven primarily by how many provincial nominees with active profiles are present in the Express Entry pool at the time of each draw. The August 31 cutoff of 697 was the lowest PNP threshold of 2026, coinciding with a period of elevated nomination activity across several provinces during the summer. As nominees were drawn out in the August 31 round and the flow of new nominations slowed in the two weeks that followed, the available nominee pool shrank and the CRS floor rose to 734 on September 14.
Does a PNP nomination guarantee an invitation to apply for permanent residence?
Not automatically. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, which significantly improves a candidate’s ranking and makes an invitation highly likely based on 2026 PNP cutoffs that have ranged from 697 to 805. However, IRCC states that a nomination helps a candidate get invited rather than guaranteeing it. The candidate must still have an active Express Entry profile, meet the eligibility requirements of at least one of the three federal programs managed through Express Entry, and be in the pool at the time IRCC conducts a PNP round. A cutoff of 734, for example, means the nominee still needed a base CRS of 134 before the 600-point boost.
What happens if a candidate misses the 60-day deadline to submit their permanent residence application?
If the 60-day window passes without a complete application being submitted, the invitation to apply expires permanently and cannot be extended or reinstated. IRCC removes the candidate’s profile from the Express Entry pool entirely, meaning the candidate must create and submit a new profile to re-enter the system. This is different from declining an invitation, which may allow the profile to remain in the pool if the candidate is still eligible. Candidates who anticipate difficulty gathering documents within 60 days should begin collecting police certificates and organizing reference letters before they receive an invitation, and should schedule their medical examination promptly after receiving the ITA, as IRCC requires the upfront medical exam to be completed after the invitation is issued.
Fact-Checked: All draw figures, CRS cutoffs, invitation counts, tie-breaking timestamps, and pool distribution data cited in this article are sourced directly from the official Express Entry rounds of invitations page published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on September 14, 2026, and cross-referenced with pool snapshot data released on September 13, 2026. Application fees reflect the IRCC fee increase effective April 30, 2026. Provincial nomination allocations for Alberta and British Columbia reflect supplementary allocations issued in August 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is published for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, immigration advice, or a substitute for consultation with a licensed immigration professional. Immigration rules, draw patterns, and processing times can change without notice. Readers should verify all deadlines and requirements directly with IRCC before acting.
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Entry-Level CRA Jobs Hiring Now Across Canada, Salary Up To $73,595
- Entry-Level CRA Jobs Hiring Now Across Canada, Salary Up To $73,595
The Canada Revenue Agency is actively recruiting through multiple hiring processes at tax centres, regional offices, and call centres from coast to coast, with several postings requiring nothing more than a high school diploma and zero prior work experience.
Salaries for these openings range from $46,904 at the SP-01 classification all the way up to $122,817 for experienced AU-03 auditor roles in the Atlantic Region.
CRA consistently ranks among Canada’s Top 100 Employers, offering federal pension plans, supplemental health and dental insurance, vacation leave starting at three weeks, and a 37.5-hour work week with flexible scheduling options.
With Canada’s unemployment rate at 6.4% as of August 2026 and youth unemployment elevated at 12.9%, these federal government openings represent one of the most accessible paths into federal public service employment available right now.
Several of these postings are processing applications on a rolling basis, meaning early applicants have a measurable advantage over those who wait until the closing date.
Below is a breakdown of the active CRA postings reviewed for this article, organized by accessibility, starting with roles that require no prior experience and only a secondary school education.
Table of Contents
No Experience Required CRA Jobs
The following positions are open to applicants who hold a secondary school diploma or as little as two years of high school completion, with no prior work experience needed to qualify.
1. SP-01 and SP-02 Seasonal Positions – Jonquière Tax Centre, Quebec
Detail Information Requisition Number 62503905 Classification SP-01 and SP-02 Salary Range $46,904 to $59,363 (SP-01 starts at $24.05/hr; SP-02 at $27.58/hr) Location Jonquière Tax Centre, Saguenay, Quebec Education Two years of high school (Secondary 3 in Quebec) Experience No experience required Language French Essential or Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB Appointment Type Temporary (less than 6 months) Closing Date November 8, 2026 SP-01 roles involve data capture, mail sorting, and document handling at the Jonquière Tax Centre, while SP-02 positions cover document processing, account updating, and responding to correspondence and telephone inquiries.
Employees at this location are currently required to work on-site a minimum of four days per week, with most positions requiring five-day attendance.
CRA may give preference to the first 150 candidates who meet the staffing requirements, so submitting early is important for anyone considering entry-level CRA positions in Quebec.
Click here for more details and to apply online.
2. SP-01 to SP-04 Entry-Level Jobs – Sudbury, Ontario
Detail Information Requisition Number 62087476 Classification SP-01, SP-02, SP-03, and SP-04 Salary Range $46,904 to $73,595 Location Sudbury Tax Centre, 1050 Notre Dame Avenue, Ontario Education Two years of secondary school (SP-01 to SP-03) or high school diploma (SP-04) Experience No prior experience required Language English Essential or Bilingual Imperative Appointment Type Temporary term (up to 6 months) Closing Date November 27, 2026 This Sudbury posting is one of the broadest CRA hiring rounds in Ontario right now, covering four classification levels under a single requisition.
SP-01 and SP-02 duties include sorting and scanning mail, inspecting documents for accuracy, and identifying errors in high volumes of incoming forms.
SP-03 and SP-04 positions involve reviewing populated forms, conducting research through internal and external sources, escalating issues when necessary, and in some cases interacting directly with clients by telephone.
Shifts may vary between 7:00 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time, and many positions require five-day on-site attendance at the Sudbury Tax Centre.
CRA may give preference to the first 200 applicants who meet staffing requirements, and candidates must reside within 125 kilometres of the Sudbury Tax Centre.
Click here for more details and to apply online.
3. SP-01 and SP-02 Seasonal Positions – Winnipeg Tax Centre, Manitoba
Detail Information Requisition Number 62350611 Classification SP-01 and SP-02 Salary Range $46,904 to $59,363 Location Winnipeg Tax Centre, 66 Stapon Road, Manitoba Education High school diploma Experience No experience required Language English Essential Appointment Type Temporary (2 to 6 months, starting January 2027) Closing Date September 21, 2026 These seasonal roles at the Winnipeg Tax Centre are designed for the upcoming tax filing season, with contracts running from two to six months beginning as early as January 2027.
SP-01 duties include receiving and sorting incoming mail, inputting data into computer systems, and maintaining taxpayer records.
SP-02 employees analyze taxpayer information, communicate with taxpayers and representatives by phone and in writing, and operate electronic and computer equipment across various CRA systems.
Shifts include day (7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), evening (4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.), and midnight (11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.), and some positions may require on-site presence up to 100% of scheduled hours.
CRA may give preference to the first 1,500 candidates who meet requirements, and applicants must live within 125 kilometres of Winnipeg.
Click here for more details and to apply online.
4. SP-03 and SP-04 Agent and Officer Positions – Winnipeg Tax Centre (English Essential)
Detail Information Requisition Number 62509343 Classification SP-03 and SP-04 Salary Range $59,623 to $73,595 Location Winnipeg Tax Centre, 66 Stapon Road, Manitoba Education High school diploma Experience No experience required Language English Essential Appointment Type Temporary (permanent may be considered if restrictions change) Closing Date September 17, 2026 This posting covers a wide range of agent and officer opportunities at the Winnipeg Tax Centre, with no prior tax knowledge required and paid training provided upon hiring.
All positions involve regular telephone interaction with taxpayers, delivering accurate information and guidance in response to inquiries, along with working across multiple computer systems including Microsoft Office applications.
Duties include reviewing forms and supporting documents for accuracy, investigating and escalating complex cases, and researching information to resolve taxpayer concerns.
Some SP-04 positions require introductory financial accounting credentials from a recognized post-secondary institution, though the majority require only a secondary school diploma.
CRA may give preference to the first 2,500 applicants, so submitting early is essential for competitive federal job postings.
Click here for more details and to apply online.
5. SP-03 and SP-04 Bilingual Agent and Officer Positions – Winnipeg Tax Centre
Detail Information Requisition Number 62460588 Classification SP-03 and SP-04 Salary Range $59,623 to $73,595 Location Winnipeg Tax Centre, 66 Stapon Road, Manitoba Education High school diploma Experience No experience required Language Bilingual Imperative (BBB/BBB for SP-03; BBC/BBC for SP-04) Appointment Type Temporary (permanent may be considered) Closing Date December 31, 2026 This is the bilingual counterpart to the English Essential Winnipeg posting above, exclusively targeting candidates who are proficient in both English and French.
Duties mirror the English Essential posting, with regular telephone interaction with taxpayers in both official languages, reviewing documents for accuracy, and researching issues through internal and external systems.
Language proficiency testing will be conducted via Microsoft Teams, and candidates who have previously completed a second language evaluation through the Public Service Commission should attach their results with their application.
Applicants who speak both official languages enjoy increased access to federal government jobs across Canada, making bilingualism a strategic advantage in the current hiring climate.
Click here for more details and to apply online.
6. SP-03 Officer Positions – Jonquière Tax Centre, Quebec
Detail Information Requisition Number 62089700 Classification SP-03 Salary Range $59,623 to $65,813 Location Jonquière Tax Centre, Quebec Education High school diploma Experience Not required Language French Essential or Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB Appointment Type Temporary (less than 6 months) Closing Date October 30, 2026 This posting covers seven distinct SP-03 job profiles at the Jonquière Tax Centre, including Office Audit Clerk, Initial Verification Clerk, Accounts and Benefits Processing Clerk, Assessment Processing Clerk, and Administrative Clerk.
Core duties involve receiving and analyzing information returns, contacting taxpayers by telephone or in writing for additional information, verifying returns to be processed, and correcting or amending submissions accordingly.
CRA may give preference to the first 50 candidates who meet staffing requirements, and the majority of positions require bilingual imperative BBB/BBB proficiency.
Click here for more details and to apply online.
7. SP-04 Officer Positions – Jonquière Tax Centre, Quebec
Detail Information Requisition Number 62372527 Classification SP-04 Salary Range $65,389 to $73,595 Location Jonquière Tax Centre, Quebec Education High school diploma (Compliance Services Officer requires introductory accounting) Experience Not required Language Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB Appointment Type Temporary (permanent may be considered) Closing Date October 30, 2026 Five SP-04 job profiles are available under this single requisition: EFILE Officer, Compliance Services Officer, Assessment Processing Officer, Assessment Accounts and Benefits Processing Officer, and Processing Officer for Accounts Benefits and Rebates.
Duties involve analyzing, verifying, and processing tax files, resolving non-routine inquiries from taxpayers and benefit recipients, preparing audit and examination plans, conducting legislative research, and maintaining quality statistics on completed work.
CRA may give preference to the first 100 candidates who meet staffing requirements.
Click here for more details and to apply online.
CRA Jobs Requiring Some Prior Experience
The following positions require a high school diploma plus between six and twelve months of relevant client service or computer technology experience, making them accessible for anyone with basic retail, hospitality, administrative, or customer-facing work history.
8. SP-03 Call Centre Agent – Ottawa and Kingston, Ontario
Detail Information Requisition Number 62468707 Classification SP-03 Salary Range $59,623 to $65,813 Location Ottawa and Kingston, Ontario Education High school diploma Experience 6 months customer/public service within the last 3 years + 6 months computer technology experience within the last 3 years Language English Essential Appointment Type Temporary (extensions possible) Closing Date September 15, 2026 These Debt Management Call Centre positions involve conducting telephone interviews to verify information, requesting and negotiating payment of outstanding amounts, providing compliance information, and reviewing CRA system data to locate taxpayers and resolve accounts.
The role requires prolonged headset use, sustained computer screen work, and consistent adherence to scheduled shift times.
Candidates must demonstrate a minimum of six consecutive months of client service experience within the last three years, plus six consecutive months of computer technology experience within the last three years using applications such as Microsoft Office, PDFs, and internet search engines.
This is an accessible entry point into federal employment for Ontario residents with even modest customer service backgrounds.
Click here for more details and to apply online.
9. SP-04 Taxpayer Services Agent – Calgary, Edmonton, and Surrey
Detail Information Requisition Number 62462538 Classification SP-04 Salary Range $65,389 to $73,595 Location Calgary, AB; Edmonton, AB; Surrey, BC Education High school diploma Experience 12 months client service + 6 months computer technology experience Language English Essential or Bilingual Imperative Appointment Type Temporary Closing Date September 22, 2026 Western Client Contact Centre agents handle incoming phone calls from taxpayers and their representatives for up to seven hours per day, explaining Individual and Business Tax Account inquiries, gathering information, researching solutions through CRA databases, and operating various computer applications to resolve issues.
The role requires a minimum of twelve cumulative months of experience delivering customer service within the last three years, plus six months of computer application experience within the last two years.
Hiring could begin as early as fall 2026, and employees may be required to work in the office five days per week.
Workers in Western Canada earn competitive federal salaries that exceed provincial minimum wage rates by a significant margin, with SP-04 pay starting at approximately $33.41 per hour.
Click here for more details and to apply online.
10. SP-04 Taxpayer Services Agent – Atlantic Region
Detail Information Requisition Number 62463315 Classification SP-04 Salary Range $65,389 to $73,595 Location Bathurst, Moncton, Saint John (NB); St. John’s (NL); Halifax, Sydney (NS); Charlottetown, Summerside (PEI) Education High school diploma Experience 12 months client service + 6 months computer technology experience Language English Essential or Bilingual CBC/CBC Appointment Type Temporary Closing Date September 15, 2026 This posting staffs the Individual Enquiries Contact Centre and Business Enquiries Contact Centre across eight Atlantic Region locations spanning all four provinces.
Duties include communicating with taxpayers verbally and in writing, analyzing and researching taxpayer information, interpreting legislative provisions, and participating in compliance projects.
Employees are required to work on-site a minimum of four days per week, with training requiring full-time five-day attendance.
Candidates able to work on-site in St. John’s, Moncton, or Saint John may be given priority.
Click here for more details and to apply online.
CRA Jobs Requiring Specialized Experience
The following positions require specific prior experience, professional designations, or post-secondary education and offer higher salary ranges that reflect their greater technical demands.
11. SP-05 Trust Examination Officer – British Columbia
Detail Information Requisition Number 62353288 Classification SP-05 Salary Range $70,773 to $79,657 Location Prince George, Penticton, Victoria, Surrey, Vancouver, BC Education High school diploma or equivalent combination Experience 24 months specified CRA or payroll/GST experience within the last 36 months, or enrollment in a related post-secondary program Language English Essential Appointment Type Temporary (permanent may be considered if restrictions change) Closing Date September 20, 2026 Trust Examination Officers conduct field visits to examine taxpayers’ books, records, and supporting documentation relating to unreported income, taxable benefits, and amounts deducted or held in trust.
This is a field-heavy position requiring driving to appointments four days per week, overnight trips every six weeks, and transporting equipment weighing up to 10 kg.
Candidates need 24 cumulative months of experience within the last 36 months in specific CRA programs such as Trust Accounts Compliance, Employer Accounts, or Corporate Assessment Processing, or equivalent payroll and GST experience outside CRA.
Individuals currently enrolled in a post-secondary program in accounting, finance, bookkeeping, or commerce within the last four years are also eligible.
Consideration will initially be limited to the first 50 applicants per location who meet the essential requirements.
Click here for more details and to apply online.
12. AU-03 Income Tax Auditors and Business Equity Valuators – Atlantic Region
Detail Information Requisition Number 62439453 Classification AU-03 Salary Range $99,864 to $122,817 Location Bathurst, Moncton, Saint John (NB); Sydney, Halifax (NS); Charlottetown, Summerside (PEI); St. John’s (NL) Education Accounting designation eligibility or degree with accounting specialization Experience 3 years within the last 5 years in Canadian Income Tax compliance with large/complex corporations Language English Essential or Bilingual Imperative CBC/CBC Appointment Type Temporary (permanent may be considered) Closing Date October 13, 2026 This is the most senior posting in this hiring round, targeting experienced tax professionals for CRA’s Audit Division across the Atlantic Region.
Four distinct roles fall under this requisition: Business Valuator, Income Tax Auditor, International Tax Auditor, and Tax Avoidance Auditor.
Business Valuators conduct independent valuations of complex securities and equity transactions in accordance with CICBV standards.
Income Tax Auditors and International Tax Auditors perform compliance reviews of large businesses and multinational corporations, while Tax Avoidance Auditors examine domestic and international aggressive tax avoidance schemes involving high-wealth individuals, partnerships, trusts, and complex corporate structures.
Candidates must hold eligibility for a designation from a recognized professional accounting association or a degree with acceptable specialization in accounting, plus a minimum of three years of experience in Canadian Income Tax compliance with large or complex corporations (generally those with gross revenues exceeding $20 million).
A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation and progression toward the CPA In-Depth Tax Course, Masters of Tax, or Chartered Business Valuator designation are preferred assets.
Click here for more details and to apply online.
Summary of All Active CRA Job Postings
Position Location Salary Range Experience Closing Date SP-01/SP-02 Seasonal Jonquière, QC $46,904–$59,363 None Nov 8, 2026 SP-01 to SP-04 Sudbury, ON $46,904–$73,595 None Nov 27, 2026 SP-01/SP-02 Seasonal Winnipeg, MB $46,904–$59,363 None Sep 21, 2026 SP-03/SP-04 English Winnipeg, MB $59,623–$73,595 None Sep 17, 2026 SP-03/SP-04 Bilingual Winnipeg, MB $59,623–$73,595 None Dec 31, 2026 SP-03 Officers Jonquière, QC $59,623–$65,813 None Oct 30, 2026 SP-04 Officers Jonquière, QC $65,389–$73,595 None Oct 30, 2026 SP-03 Call Centre Ottawa/Kingston, ON $59,623–$65,813 6 months Sep 15, 2026 SP-04 Taxpayer Services Calgary/Edmonton/Surrey $65,389–$73,595 12 months Sep 22, 2026 SP-04 Taxpayer Services Atlantic (8 cities) $65,389–$73,595 12 months Sep 15, 2026 SP-05 Trust Exam BC (5 cities) $70,773–$79,657 24 months Sep 20, 2026 AU-03 Auditors Atlantic (8 cities) $99,864–$122,817 3 yrs + accounting Oct 13, 2026 What CRA Employees Receive Beyond Salary
CRA offers a broader federal compensation package in addition to salary, although eligibility for pension, health, dental, and other benefits varies by appointment type and length of service.
Employees hired indeterminately or for terms of more than six months generally become pension-plan members from their first day, while employees initially hired for six months or less generally become eligible after six months of continuous employment.
Eligible employees can access supplemental health insurance covering prescription drugs and vision care, dental care coverage, vacation leave starting at three weeks per year, personal days, family-related leave, sick leave, and maternity and parental leave top-ups.
CRA offers a standard 37.5-hour work week with flexible working arrangements in many roles, including compressed work weeks where operational needs permit.
Some entry-level CRA processes explicitly provide paid training. For example, the Winnipeg SP-03/SP-04 process states that prior tax knowledge is not required and paid training will be provided.
Some of these staffing processes may also be used for future or similar vacancies. Certain postings state that extensions or permanent staffing may be considered if operational needs or CRA’s current hiring restrictions change.
How To Apply for These CRA Job Openings
Applications must be submitted through the CRA Careers portal. Candidates should update their profile and upload all documents required by the specific requisition, including education credentials and, where requested, a résumé.
Candidates should ensure their name on the CRA candidate profile matches their government-issued photo identification and education credentials exactly, as discrepancies can result in application rejection.
Applicants with foreign education credentials must obtain a Canadian equivalency assessment from a recognized credential assessment service before applying, as CRA requires documented proof of equivalent Canadian education.
Preference for appointment is given to veterans first, followed by Canadian citizens and permanent residents, though applicants residing in Canada on valid status are eligible for most postings.
Many of these federal government positions cap the number of applications reviewed, so the most practical step any applicant can take is submitting their complete application as early as possible rather than waiting until the closing date.
This current wave of CRA recruitment represents a rare alignment of opportunity for Canadian job seekers at every experience level.
Entry-level candidates with nothing more than a high school diploma can access positions paying up to $73,595 per year, while experienced accounting professionals can pursue specialized audit roles exceeding $122,000 annually.
With several deadlines arriving within the next week, particularly the September 15 and September 17 closings for the Atlantic Region and Winnipeg postings, acting immediately is the single most impactful thing applicants can do to ensure their file is reviewed.
These positions offer competitive federal pay, professional development opportunities, and a chance to gain experience within one of the country’s largest federal employers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I apply for CRA jobs if I have no previous work experience at all?
Yes, several of the 12 CRA hiring processes covered in this article have no essential prior-work-experience requirement, including positions in Sudbury, Winnipeg, and Jonquière. Some postings explicitly state that no experience is required. Some of these entry-level processes provide paid training, allowing candidates without prior tax-administration experience to learn the role after hiring.
Do I need a university degree to get hired at CRA?
The majority of CRA positions in this hiring round require only a secondary school diploma, and some SP-01 postings accept applicants who have completed just two years of high school. The only role that requires a university degree or professional accounting designation is the AU-03 Income Tax Auditor posting in the Atlantic Region. For SP-04 positions, some individual roles within a requisition may prefer introductory accounting courses, but this applies to specific sub-positions rather than the entire posting.
Can temporary residents or work permit holders apply for these CRA positions?
Most of these postings are open to any individual residing in Canada, which includes temporary residents who hold valid work authorization. However, preference for appointment is given to veterans first, followed by Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Some postings restrict eligibility to individuals residing within a reasonable commuting distance (typically 125 kilometres or less) of the specific work location, so geographic proximity is also a factor regardless of immigration status.
What happens after I submit my CRA application online?
After submission, CRA screens applications against the prerequisite staffing requirements on an ongoing basis. Candidates who meet the prerequisites receive a written notification about the next steps, which typically involve online assessments such as the Tax Centre Clerical Test or Korn Ferry cognitive and behavioural evaluations. Assessments may take place in waves between September 2026 and January 2027 depending on the posting. Following successful assessment, candidates are placed in a qualified pool and contacted when specific positions become available for staffing.
Are these CRA positions fully remote or do they require working from the office?
None of the positions listed in this article offer fully remote work arrangements. CRA requires employees to work on-site at the designated office location for a minimum of three to five days per week, depending on the specific posting and operational needs. Many tax centre roles, particularly seasonal SP-01 and SP-02 positions, require 100% on-site attendance. Some positions may become eligible for a limited hybrid arrangement after training is completed and the employee can work independently, but this varies by location and is not guaranteed.
Fact-checked by the Immigration News Canada editorial team. All job details, salary figures, and closing dates were verified against official CRA career portal postings as of September 11, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute career advice or a guarantee of employment. Applicants should review the full job posting on the official CRA Careers website for complete eligibility requirements and instructions before submitting an application.
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- New Bell Canada Price Increase Coming In October 2026
Bell Canada is raising wireless plan prices by $6 per month for another wave of Mobility customers, with the higher rate set to appear on October 2026 billing statements.
This is another Bell wireless increase in 2026, following reported increases in February and July, along with a separate home internet increase in March, a pattern that has drawn attention from federal regulators and frustration from consumers across the country.
Affected customers are receiving advance notice through their billing statements or the MyBell app, giving them time to review their options before the higher rate takes effect.
The timing is significant because Canadian household budgets are already stretched by rising costs across telecom, insurance, and everyday expenses heading into the fall.
Here is what the increase means for your next Bell bill, how much more you could pay over a year, and what steps you can take right now to avoid or reduce the impact.
Table of Contents
What the October 2026 Bell Wireless Increase Looks Like
Bell is adding $6 per month to the base rate of affected wireless plans starting with each customer’s October 2026 Mobility billing date.
The increase applies to the monthly rate plan itself, not to device financing, add-ons, or one-time charges that also appear on a typical wireless bill.
Multiple Bell customers have publicly reported receiving the same $6 monthly increase notice.
That means a household with two Bell Mobility lines could see an additional $144 per year before tax, while a family with four lines would face an extra $288 annually.
The billing statement notice directs customers to manage their account through the MyBell app or website and confirms they can cancel without penalty or modify their plan in accordance with their agreement by calling 1-800-667-0123.
Bell has not disclosed exactly how many customers are affected by this particular round of increases, and not all subscribers will necessarily see the change on their October statement.
Checking your latest billing statement or logging into MyBell is the only reliable way to confirm whether your specific plan is included.
Bell Has Raised Prices Multiple Times in 2026
The October hike is not an isolated event but part of a clear pattern of repeated rate adjustments Bell has imposed throughout the calendar year.
In February 2026, Bell raised wireless prices by $6 per month for select customers, following a similar $7 per month increase announced by Telus around the same time.
In March 2026, Bell applied a separate $6 per month increase to home internet plans, affecting Fibe Internet subscribers in Ontario and Quebec.
A broader wireless increase landed in July 2026, when Bell confirmed rate hikes ranging from $3 to $6 per month for select national plans.
The October round will add another $6 per month for affected customers, on top of whatever they may have already absorbed earlier in the year.
A subscriber who was hit by both the February and October increases on the same line would see their monthly rate $12 higher than at the start of the year, equivalent to $144 more over a full twelve months if both increases remain in place.
These increases arrive alongside a separate $7 per month Rogers internet price hike that took effect in August 2026, compounding the pressure on Canadian telecom budgets from multiple carriers at once.
Bell MTS Home Services Also Going Up October 1
Manitoba customers on Bell MTS are facing a separate set of home service price increases that take effect on October 1, 2026.
According to the official Bell MTS service bulletin, the following monthly rate changes apply as of October 1, 2026.
Service Plan / Package Monthly Rate Change Internet Fibe Internet plans (Fibe 75, 100, 150, 300, 500, Gigabit Fibe, Gigabit Fibe 1.5, Gigabit Fibe 3.0) + $5.00 Fibe TV Basic, Good, Better, Best Package + $3.00 Home Phone Basic Phone Line + $1.00 Home Phone Essentials + $2.00 A Bell MTS household subscribed to Fibe Internet and Fibe TV would see a combined increase of $8 per month, or $96 per year before tax.
Bell MTS customers who have questions or want to modify or cancel services can call 204-225-5687, as noted in the bulletin.
Bell MTS customers already saw two price increases in 2025, and the October 2026 adjustments continue that pattern of rising service rates in Manitoba, part of a broader wave of price increases hitting Canadians across multiple service categories.
CRTC Scrutiny Over Carrier Price Hikes Is Intensifying
Bell is raising prices at a moment when Canada’s federal telecom regulator is paying closer attention to how carriers adjust rates on existing customers.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission sent a letter to Rogers in June 2026 demanding answers about a $5 per month wireless price hike that Rogers labelled a Wireless Plan Rate Adjustment.
That letter specifically asked whether Rogers was imposing the increase during customers’ ongoing commitment periods, a question with direct implications under the CRTC Wireless Code.
On June 30, 2026, the CRTC escalated its response by launching a show-cause proceeding into whether Bell, Rogers, and Telus violated new rules prohibiting activation and plan-modification fees and certain other barriers to switching that took effect on June 12, 2026.
The intervention period closed at the end of August, and the proceeding has now reached its final reply stage as the CRTC prepares to consider the record.
If the commission determines that any of the carriers violated the fee ban rules established under Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2026-43, fines of up to $10 million per company and up to $25,000 for relevant officers or directors could follow.
The current proceeding does not specifically target Bell’s $6 October monthly rate increase, although the regulator is separately scrutinizing carrier fees and consumer protections.
What Bell Customers Can Do Before October
The billing notice says affected customers can cancel without penalty or modify their plan, in accordance with their agreement, before the increase takes effect.
Calling Bell’s customer service line at 1-800-667-0123 and indicating you are considering leaving has historically resulted in transfers to retention teams, where unadvertised loyalty offers are sometimes available.
In at least one reported case from earlier in 2026, a customer who threatened cancellation was offered a $40 per month plan with 150 GB of data covering Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
Bell sometimes makes targeted retention or winback offers, although availability, pricing, and eligibility vary and are not guaranteed.
Switching to a competitor is also an option, and the CRTC rules prohibit activation and plan-modification fees and certain fees designed to discourage switching or cancellation, although outstanding device financing, agreement credits, or other permitted device-related obligations may still be payable.
Customers on month-to-month plans have the most flexibility because they are not locked into a contract term.
Anyone on a two-year term should review the specific language of their service agreement to confirm whether the increase falls within or outside the commitment period.
How to Check Whether Your Bill Is Affected
Log into the MyBell app or visit bell.ca/mybell and navigate to your most recent billing statement.
Look for a section labelled “Important Update” or “Important Message” near the top or bottom of the statement.
The notification will state that the price of your monthly rate plan will increase by $6 per month starting on your October 2026 Mobility bill date.
If you do not see this message, your specific plan may not be included in this round of increases, but that does not guarantee your rates will remain unchanged in future billing cycles.
Compare your current base plan price with previous statements to confirm the exact dollar amount of any change.
Do not confuse the $6 rate plan adjustment with other charges that can also shift your total bill, such as taxes, device payments, roaming, or premium features.
Customers who pay their Bell bill through automatic payments should be especially careful because the higher charge will be withdrawn without any manual approval step.
Why Bell Says Prices Are Going Up
When Bell confirmed its July 2026 wireless increases, it cited rising operating costs, an evolving market, and more than $24 billion in network investment since 2020.
Bell has not publicly provided a separate explanation for the October increase beyond the billing notice itself, which directs customers to manage their accounts but does not detail the reasoning behind the higher rate.
Consumer advocates have questioned whether repeated rate hikes on locked-in or legacy customers are justified when the same carrier simultaneously offers promotional deals to attract new subscribers at lower price points.
Bell is not alone in raising prices, as Rogers and Telus have also implemented or announced rate increases for some customers during 2026, adding to the cumulative regulatory changes Canadians are tracking this year.
The CRTC’s ongoing proceeding could affect how major carriers structure activation, modification, and other switching-related fees going forward.
The October billing cycle will be the first concrete test of whether affected customers absorb the increase, negotiate retention deals, or switch carriers in meaningful numbers.
The CRTC’s review of fee compliance by all three major carriers is still active, and any enforcement decision could arrive before or after the October bills land.
Customers who experienced the July 2026 increase and have also received an October increase notice should expect the October adjustment to stack on top of their existing monthly rate.
Bell has not indicated whether additional price increases are planned for later in 2026 or early 2027.
Anyone with a Bell Mobility account should check their latest billing statement now to determine whether they are affected and decide on a course of action before the October billing date arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much is the Bell wireless price increase in October 2026?
Bell is raising the monthly rate plan price by $6 per month for affected Mobility customers, with the new amount appearing on October 2026 billing statements.
Can I cancel my Bell plan without penalty because of the price increase?
The billing notice confirms that customers can cancel without penalty or modify their plan by contacting Bell at 1-800-667-0123 or through the MyBell app, subject to the terms of their individual service agreement.
Is the CRTC investigating Bell’s price increases?
The CRTC launched a show-cause proceeding on June 30, 2026, requiring Bell, Rogers, and Telus to demonstrate their fees comply with new rules, with potential fines of up to $10 million per company if violations are confirmed.
Are Bell MTS customers in Manitoba also affected?
Yes, Bell MTS is raising Fibe Internet rates by $5 per month across all listed tiers, Fibe TV by $3 per month, Basic Phone Line by $1 per month, and Home Phone Essentials by $2 per month, all effective October 1, 2026.
How many times has Bell raised prices in 2026?
Bell has announced or implemented three wireless rate increase rounds in 2026, taking effect in February, July, and October, alongside a separate home internet increase in March, in some cases adding $6 per month each time.
Fact-checked against official Bell Mobility billing notices and Bell MTS service bulletins and confirmed through reporting by multiple Canadian technology publications as of September 10, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or contractual advice.
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- Canada’s New Citizenship Law Is Creating An Unexpected Problem
When Ottawa rewrote one of the most consequential sections of Canada’s Citizenship Act in late 2025, federal officials told Parliament the change would generate manageable demand.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) told a Senate committee on November 17, 2025, that it expected the number of people affected to land in the tens of thousands over time, not hundreds of thousands.
The department pointed to past amendments that corrected the status of earlier groups of Lost Canadians and noted that none of those changes had produced an application surge.
IRCC added that it believed its existing dedicated citizenship team had the capacity to handle the incoming proof of citizenship files.
The law took effect on December 15, 2025.
Less than nine months later, approximately 136,000 people are sitting in the proof of citizenship queue, according to data IRCC published on September 3, 2026.
A new applicant is now told to expect a wait of roughly 33 months before receiving a decision.
That is nearly three years to obtain a document confirming a citizenship status that, for most of these applicants, already exists by operation of law.
The gap between what the government anticipated and what has actually unfolded is now too large to attribute to normal forecasting error.
Table of Contents
What Unexpected Problem Has Canada’s New Citizenship Law Created?
The problem is not a legal one. The Act to Amend the Citizenship Act, commonly known during its passage as Bill C-3, accomplished exactly what Parliament intended.
It removed an unconstitutional restriction that had prevented Canadian citizenship from passing beyond the first generation born or adopted outside Canada.
The problem is administrative. IRCC’s proof of citizenship inventory stood at roughly 40,400 people around December 2025, when the law came into force.
By September 2026, that inventory had climbed to approximately 136,000.
The estimated processing time for a new citizenship certificate application has followed the inventory upward: from roughly 9 months in December 2025 to approximately 12 months in May 2026, approximately 19 months in July 2026, approximately 25 months in August 2026, and approximately 33 months in September 2026.
The eight-month jump between August and September is the steepest single-month increase in this category since the law took effect.
Not every person in the 136,000-strong queue is necessarily there because of the amended citizenship-by-descent rules.
IRCC’s proof of citizenship stream also includes other applicants, such as naturalized citizens who need replacement certificates.
But the queue stood at about 40,400 shortly before the law changed and has since more than tripled to approximately 136,000.
While IRCC has not published a breakdown showing how many pending files are directly tied to the amended citizenship-by-descent provisions, the timing and subsequent surge in ancestry-based applications indicate that the new rules are a major driver of the growth.
Proof Of Citizenship Processing Time And Queue Growth In 2026
Month Processing Time People In Queue December 2025 ~9 months ~40,400 January 2026 ~10 months ~42,400 May 2026 ~12 months ~70,400 June 2026 ~15 months ~82,000 July 2026 ~19 months ~99,500 August 2026 ~25 months ~121,800 September 2026 ~33 months ~136,000 Source: IRCC processing times tool, monthly updates. Queue figures are approximate and reflect the reporting date in each cycle. What Did Ottawa Expect Before The Law Took Effect?
The federal government’s own projections stand in stark contrast to the numbers above.
In an opening statement to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs on November 17, 2025, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said the government expected applications in the tens of thousands over time, not hundreds of thousands.
She cited the experience with previous amendments in 2009 and 2015, noting that roughly 20,000 people applied for proof of citizenship after those changes and that no surge materialized in either case.
IRCC’s briefing materials for the same committee appearance reinforced that position.
The department disclosed that between January 2024 and July 2025, it had received just over 4,200 applications from individuals affected by the first-generation limit under an interim measure.
IRCC explicitly stated that it did not use the Parliamentary Budget Officer’s December 2024 estimate of approximately 115,000 affected individuals to set its own volume projections, citing uncertainty in that report, yet by January 2026 the queue had already climbed to roughly 42,400.
In a separate October 2, 2025, briefing for the House of Commons committee, IRCC repeated the same language: tens of thousands, no surge, and sufficient existing capacity.
As recently as late May 2026, when IRCC’s own data showed the processing time had already climbed to approximately 12 months, a department spokesperson told CBC News that IRCC had not seen a significant increase in the volume of proof of citizenship applications since the law changed and had not assigned additional staff to process them.
At that time, the queue had already climbed from about 40,400 to roughly 70,400, and within weeks it would surge past 82,000 in June.
By September 2026, the queue reached approximately 136,000, with a processing time approaching three years.
The Parliamentary Budget Officer had estimated that roughly 115,000 people could be affected by the legislative amendments, although IRCC declined to use that estimate because of uncertainty around the underlying population.
That figure is not directly comparable with today’s 136,000-file proof of citizenship inventory, which includes applicants unrelated to the new law.
Who Became Canadian Under The Amended Citizenship Act?
The amended Citizenship Act draws a clear line at its coming-into-force date of December 15, 2025.
For people born outside Canada before that date, the amended law removed the first-generation limit retroactively in affected cases.
People who would have been Canadian citizens if not for that limit or certain outdated provisions generally became citizens automatically by operation of law.
These individuals do not apply to become citizens. They already are citizens.
What they apply for is proof of citizenship in the form of a citizenship certificate, which is the official document confirming their status.
People adopted abroad are treated differently.
Eligible people adopted outside Canada before December 15, 2025, by Canadian parents affected by the former first-generation limit can apply for a direct grant of citizenship for an adopted person rather than becoming citizens automatically solely because of the amendment.
For people born outside Canada on or after December 15, 2025, the rules work differently.
Citizenship beyond the first generation abroad can still pass down if the Canadian parent who was also born abroad accumulated at least 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada before the child’s birth.
A similar substantial connection requirement applies to the direct citizenship grant for qualifying foreign adoptions.
The distinction matters because people born before December 15, 2025, face no physical presence requirement at all.
The law simply recognizes what their status should have been all along.
Can Someone With A Canadian Grandparent Or Great-Grandparent Be Canadian?
Potentially, but not automatically in every case. Having distant Canadian ancestry alone does not make someone eligible, as IRCC has stated publicly.
What matters is whether a complete, unbroken chain of citizenship can be traced from the applicant back through each generation to a person who was Canadian under the applicable law at the relevant time.
Consider someone born in the United States in 2011 whose mother was also born in the United States to a Canadian-born parent.
Under the rules then in effect, the child was in the second generation born abroad and was generally prevented from acquiring citizenship because of the first-generation limit.
Under the amended Citizenship Act, that person may now be recognized as a Canadian citizen retroactive to birth, provided the citizenship and parent-child chain are established.
But eligibility depends on the details: whether the Canadian-born ancestor was actually a citizen under the citizenship rules in force at the time, whether citizenship was retained or lost through prior legislative changes, and whether every link in the generational chain holds up.
The chain can extend beyond grandparents to great-grandparents or further, but only if each link meets the legal requirements applicable to that generation.
Applicants whose ancestors left Canada before 1947, when Canadian citizenship did not exist as a separate legal status, face an additional layer of complexity.
Those ancestors were British subjects, and their transition to Canadian citizenship on January 1, 1947, depended on criteria such as domicile and ordinary residence in Canada.
IRCC now requires that each generation be supported by authentic records from the relevant original authority, such as a provincial vital statistics office, not genealogy website printouts alone.
Why Are So Many Americans Applying For Canadian Citizenship?
The United States has a large population of people with Canadian ancestry, reflecting generations of cross-border migration.
Waves of Canadian emigration to the United States throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly from Quebec and the Maritime provinces, produced millions of descendants who are now spread across New England, the Great Lakes states, and beyond.
CBC News reported in late May 2026 that of the 4,075 citizenship certificates IRCC had issued under the amended citizenship-by-descent provisions between December 15, 2025, and March 31, 2026, approximately half went to people born in the United States.
People born in 44 countries received certificates under the new provisions during that period, and people born in 118 countries received them under the pre-existing criteria.
CBC also reported on September 10, 2026, that Canadian archives have been deluged with requests for the vital records needed to prove lineage, with applicants sometimes tracing their ancestry back seven or eight generations.
Quebec’s Directeur de l’état civil reported receiving 3,800 requests from people outside Canada since January 2026 for ancestry documents.
Immigration lawyers have said current U.S. political uncertainty and strained Canada-U.S. relations are among the factors driving American interest, although eligibility itself comes from Canadian citizenship law.
Immigration lawyers in multiple Canadian cities have reported a sharp increase in inquiries and filings from American clients tracing Canadian lineage.
Do These New Citizens Count Toward Canada’s Immigration Targets?
No, Canada’s annual immigration levels plan governs the admission of new permanent residents. People recognized as citizens by descent are not immigrants.
They are Canadian citizens who happen to live abroad.
Their recognition under the amended Citizenship Act does not count toward the annual permanent resident admissions targets that IRCC sets through its levels plan.
This is one of the key reasons the growth in this queue does not appear in the immigration statistics that are most frequently reported.
It sits entirely within the citizenship program, not the immigration program, even though its implications overlap.
Could These New Citizens Move To Canada?
Yes, in principle. Canadian citizens have the constitutional right under Section 6 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to enter, remain in, and leave Canada.
Once a person holds a valid citizenship certificate, they can apply for a Canadian passport and relocate to Canada at any time.
In practice, the 33-month processing time can still become a significant practical barrier.
A citizenship certificate is generally needed to obtain a Canadian passport for someone born abroad and may also be required to prove citizenship when applying for a Social Insurance Number, certain jobs, pensions or other services.
Whether large numbers of newly recognized citizens will actually move to Canada is unknown.
The IRCC Senate briefing acknowledged that many people may apply simply to secure their status without any intention of relocating.
Others may seek a Canadian passport as a travel document or as a form of security.
It would be inaccurate to assume that all or most of the 136,000 people in the queue plan to move to Canada.
But it would also be inaccurate to assume that none of them will.
The honest answer is that Canada does not know, and until the applications are processed and the new citizens make their individual decisions, the scale of any eventual relocation remains speculative.
Can These Citizens Immediately Claim Canadian Benefits?
Citizenship alone does not automatically entitle a person to Canadian public benefits.
Most federal and provincial benefit programs have their own eligibility criteria, and residency in Canada is almost always one of them.
A person living in the United States who obtains a Canadian citizenship certificate does not, by that act alone, become eligible for Canadian public health insurance, the Canada Child Benefit, Old Age Security, or provincial social assistance.
Provincial and territorial health plans generally require a person to establish residence and satisfy the applicable province’s eligibility rules; waiting-period rules vary by jurisdiction.
Federal programs also have their own requirements.
The Canada Child Benefit generally requires Canadian residency for tax purposes along with other eligibility conditions, while Old Age Security has separate age, legal-status, and Canadian-residence-history requirements.
Citizens abroad also remain subject to the tax laws of the country where they actually live.
Canada, unlike the United States, generally does not tax its citizens on worldwide income unless those citizens are tax residents of Canada.
A person who obtains a Canadian citizenship certificate but continues to live in another country will not face Canadian tax obligations solely because of the citizenship recognition.
Why Is It Taking Nearly Three Years To Get Proof Of Citizenship?
The processing time reflects a collision between surging demand and a system that was never built for this volume.
IRCC’s proof of citizenship function was historically a low-volume administrative stream, processing a few tens of thousands of applications at any given time.
The department sized its dedicated citizenship team accordingly.
When the amended law took effect on December 15, 2025, application volumes began climbing almost immediately, as early 2026 processing data already showed.
In June 2026, IRCC also paused finalization of affected citizenship-by-descent files while it conducted a broader review of roughly 6,500 applications.
Separately, about 100 citizenship certificates that had already been issued were flagged over potentially insufficient supporting documentation.
IRCC completed the broader 6,500-file review on June 30 and resumed finalizations, as the July 2026 processing update later reflected, although some individual certificate reviews continued afterward.
Meanwhile, the document requirements for citizenship-by-descent applications are inherently more complex than standard proof of citizenship filings.
Each application may require evidence tracing the generational chain to a qualifying Canadian ancestor using authentic, reliable and verifiable records issued by the authorities that created or maintain those records.
Third-party genealogy records alone are not sufficient.
For families whose ancestors left Canada generations ago, assembling that evidence trail can involve multiple provincial vital statistics offices, church records, and archival searches, often spanning different eras of record-keeping.
IRCC’s September 2026 processing estimate is forward-looking and factors in the current inventory and the number of applications the department expects to process each month.
Because the estimate is forward-looking, changes in expected intake, processing capacity and case complexity can cause the published figure to move sharply from one monthly update to the next.
For comparison, the citizenship grant queue for permanent residents becoming citizens through naturalization stands at roughly 327,100 people but carries a processing time of approximately 12 months.
The comparison shows that inventory size alone does not determine processing time; staffing, workflow, case complexity and service standards also matter.
Is There A Language Test, Citizenship Test, Or Security Check For Citizens By Descent?
No language test and no citizenship knowledge test apply to people who are already citizens by operation of law and are simply applying for proof of that status.
The citizenship test and language requirements apply to the naturalization process, which is the path permanent residents follow to become Canadian citizens for the first time.
Citizenship by descent is a fundamentally different legal concept.
The person is already a citizen; IRCC’s role is to verify the claim and issue the confirming document.
Citizenship by descent also does not involve the security or criminality screening required in some immigration and naturalization processes.
There is no oath of citizenship, no in-person ceremony, and no Canadian residence requirement for a proof of citizenship application.
IRCC does, however, verify supporting documents and can request additional evidence when more information is needed to establish the citizenship claim.
Incomplete paper applications are returned with instructions to resubmit the missing information, while online applicants are notified through their IRCC account if their application is incomplete
Is Urgent Processing Available For Citizenship Certificates?
IRCC does offer an urgent processing pathway for proof of citizenship applications, but it is limited to a narrow set of circumstances.
Qualifying situations include applicants who need the certificate to facilitate studies in Canada, employment situations, or certain family emergencies.
Applicants must submit a formal urgent processing request with supporting documentation demonstrating the time-sensitive need.
Qualifying for urgent processing does not guarantee that the underlying citizenship claim will be approved, only that the file will be reviewed faster.
There is no general paid expedite option for routine proof of citizenship applications.
IRCC spokesperson Briannah Dale told media on September 10, 2026, that the department is continuing to monitor application trends and is implementing operational measures to respond to increased demand.
Those measures include triaging applications, enhancing intake processes, training and onboarding additional staff, and refining workload management practices.
NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan said the government needs to ensure IRCC has the resources to address what she called a growing crisis, noting the department’s planned workforce reductions.
IRCC’s own 2024-25 departmental results report says its workforce adjustment is expected to reduce approximately 3,300 positions between 2025-26 and 2027-28.
Immigration lawyers, as reported by CBC News, warned that the growing backlog could eventually end up before the Federal Court and that applicants stuck in the queue could seek writs of mandamus to force the department to make decisions within a reasonable time.
The legal theory behind such challenges would rest on the argument that a citizen has a right to proof of their status and that an indefinite wait for a confirmation document effectively denies them the practical exercise of that right.
The broader question has also shifted.
When Parliament debated the law in 2025, the central concern was whether expanded citizenship by descent would create a surge in applications.
IRCC said it would not. The September 2026 processing data strongly suggests it did.
The question now is not whether the surge happened, but whether IRCC has the operational capacity and political mandate to clear a rapidly growing proof of citizenship inventory that already stands at approximately 136,000 applications and shows no sign of levelling off.
If the current trajectory continues, Canada will face a mounting contradiction: a law designed to restore citizenship rights to people who were unconstitutionally excluded, paired with an administrative system that cannot confirm those rights within any reasonable timeframe.
How Ottawa resolves that contradiction in the coming months will determine whether the amended Citizenship Act delivers on its promise or becomes a case study in legislative ambition outpacing institutional readiness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to get a Canadian citizenship certificate in September 2026?
IRCC’s published processing time for a proof of Canadian citizenship certificate rose to approximately 33 months as of its September 3, 2026, update, up from approximately 25 months in August.
This is a forward-looking estimate, not a guaranteed timeline, and individual processing times can vary based on the complexity of the application and the completeness of the supporting documents.
Applicants living outside Canada and the United States may need to add an additional 3 to 4 months to account for mailing time through a Canadian embassy, high commission, or consulate.Is a Canadian citizenship certificate the same as a grant of citizenship?
No, and the distinction carries significant practical consequences.
A citizenship certificate, formally called proof of citizenship, is a document confirming that a person is already a Canadian citizen.
It is used by citizens by descent and other people whose citizenship exists by operation of law.
A grant of citizenship is the naturalization process through which a permanent resident becomes a Canadian citizen for the first time, which involves meeting residency, language, and knowledge test requirements.
The two applications sit in separate processing queues at IRCC.
Citizenship grants are currently processing at approximately 12 months, with roughly 327,100 people waiting, while proof of citizenship is at approximately 33 months, with roughly 136,000 waiting.Do newly recognized Canadian citizens living abroad have to pay Canadian taxes?
Not solely because of the citizenship recognition. Canada generally taxes individuals based on residency, not citizenship.
A person living in the United States or another country who obtains a Canadian citizenship certificate but does not establish tax residency in Canada will not owe Canadian income tax on that basis alone.
This differs from the U.S. approach, where American citizens are taxed on worldwide income regardless of where they live.
Citizens who relocate to Canada would become Canadian tax residents and would be subject to Canadian tax rules from that point forward.Can someone whose Canadian ancestor left Canada before 1947 still qualify?
Potentially, but the evidentiary path is more complex. Canadian citizenship as a distinct legal status only came into existence on January 1, 1947, when the first Canadian Citizenship Act took effect.
Before that date, Canadians were British subjects. Whether a pre-1947 ancestor became a Canadian citizen on that date depends on factors such as domicile and ordinary residence in Canada at the time.
Proving those facts may require census records, land deeds, church records, or other archival material beyond a standard birth certificate.
Applicants tracing lineage through pre-1947 ancestors should anticipate additional documentary requirements and consider seeking professional guidance.What can applicants do if the processing delay prevents them from working, studying, or travelling?
IRCC offers an urgent processing pathway for applicants who can demonstrate a documented, time-sensitive need.
Qualifying circumstances include upcoming study enrollment in Canada, employment situations, and certain family emergencies. There is no general paid expedite option.
Applicants facing exceptionally prolonged delays may seek a writ of mandamus asking the Federal Court to compel IRCC to process their application. Whether mandamus is granted depends on the circumstances of the case, including whether IRCC has a legal duty to act and whether the delay has become unreasonable.
That legal route involves its own costs and timelines, and applicants considering it should consult an immigration lawyer.Fact-Checked By: Immigration News Canada editorial team. All processing times, queue figures, legal provisions, and government statements cited in this article have been verified against IRCC’s official processing times tool (September 3, 2026 update), parliamentary committee briefing materials published on canada.ca, the Citizenship Act as amended by Bill C-3, and reporting from CBC News (September 10, 2026; May 30, 2026; March 9, 2026).
Disclaimer: This article is published for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Citizenship eligibility depends on individual circumstances, applicable historical legislation, and documentary evidence. Readers considering an application for proof of Canadian citizenship should consult a qualified immigration professional.
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- New Canada Immigration Processing Times As Of September 2026
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published its September 2026 weekly processing time data on September 9, 2026, and the headline is staggering.
Month-on-month Citizenship certificate processing times have now hit 33 months, leaping by eight months in a single reporting cycle, while the queue swelled by 14,200 applicants to approximately 136,000 people.
That figure stood at 10 months in March 2026, meaning this single category has added 23 months of processing time in roughly six months.
On the permanent residency side, the Federal Skilled Worker Program reversed its August improvement, climbing back to seven months after briefly reaching six months for the first time in 2026.
Spousal sponsorship for applicants inside Canada outside Quebec improved to 26 months, down one month, while parents and grandparents sponsorship outside Quebec continued its downward trend to 28 months, marking five consecutive months of decline.
IRCC now uses both forward-looking and historical processing times. Monthly estimates generally project how long a new application could take based on inventory and expected processing capacity, while weekly historical timelines reflect how long IRCC took to finalize most recently processed applications.
Monthly categories like citizenship, permanent residency, and family sponsorship were refreshed on September 3.
Weekly categories like visitor visas, study permits, work permits, and PR cards were last updated on September 9.
The September data lands alongside a busy period for Canadian immigration, including the first Express Entry draw of September that issued 2,000 CEC invitations on September 1 and new immigration and refugee rules taking effect on September 7.
This roundup also includes caregiver processing times for the first time, with the consolidated figure sitting at 76 months and approximately 36,900 applicants waiting for a decision.
Incomplete applications may be delayed or returned, making thorough preparation especially important during lengthy processing periods. Review the common refusal reasons before submitting any application.
Below is a full breakdown of every processing time in the September 2026 release.
Table of Contents
Citizenship Processing Times (Updated Monthly)
Application Type People Waiting (Change) Processing Time (Sept 3, 2026) Change Since Last Month Citizenship grant ~327,100 (-1,100) 12 months No change Citizenship certificate* ~136,000 (+14,200) 33 months +8 months Resumption of citizenship Not available Not enough data No change Renunciation of citizenship Not available 4 months No change Search of citizenship records Not available 18 months +1 month * Applicants residing outside Canada or the United States may face longer processing windows. The citizenship certificate surge is the defining story of the September release, adding eight months of processing time in a single cycle while the queue grew by 14,200 people.
This category has now risen from 10 months in March to 33 months in September, an increase of 23 months in half a year.
Meanwhile, the citizenship grant queue contracted by 1,100 applicants, the first meaningful decline since April 2026.
Permanent Resident Card Processing Times (Updated Weekly)
Application Type Processing Time (Sept 9, 2026) Change Since Last Week Change Since January 21 New PR card 37 days -3 days -25 days PR card renewal 38 days -1 day +9 days Family Sponsorship Processing Times (Updated Monthly)
Category People Waiting (Change) Processing Time (Sept 3, 2026) Change Since Last Month Spouse/common-law inside Canada (non-Quebec) ~54,700 (-2,100) 26 months -1 month Spouse/common-law inside Canada (Quebec) ~14,200 (+200) 32 months No change Spouse/common-law outside Canada (non-Quebec) ~62,600 (+4,600) 18 months +1 month Spouse/common-law outside Canada (Quebec) ~19,200 (+200) 33 months No change Parents/grandparents (non-Quebec) ~37,500 (-1,500) 28 months -1 month Parents/grandparents (Quebec) ~10,300 (-100) 63 months -1 month The spousal sponsorship for applicants outside Canada, outside Quebec, rose by one month to 18 months, while the queue added 4,600 applicants, the largest single-month jump in any family sponsorship stream this cycle.
Humanitarian and Compassionate And Protected Persons (Updated Monthly)
Category People Waiting (Change) Processing Time (Sept 3, 2026) Change Since Last Month H&C outside Quebec ~57,900 (+2,100) More than 10 years No change H&C in Quebec ~20,400 (+300) More than 10 years No change Protected persons inside Canada (outside Quebec) ~86,100 (-6,100) About 13 months No change Protected persons inside Canada (in Quebec) ~42,100 (+200) More than 10 years No change Dependants of protected persons (outside Quebec) ~60,900 (+200) About 41 months +1 month Dependants of protected persons (in Quebec) ~22,600 (+200) More than 10 years No change The protected persons queue outside Quebec shrank by 6,100 applicants for the second consecutive month, matching the August reduction and suggesting IRCC has dedicated sustained processing capacity to this stream.
Permanent Residency Processing Times (Updated Monthly)
Category People Waiting (Change) Processing Time (Sept 3, 2026) Change Since Last Month Canadian Experience Class (CEC) ~58,900 (-800) 6 months No change Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) ~53,800 (+1,400) 7 months +1 month Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) Not available Not enough data No change PNP (Express Entry) ~12,800 (+1,000) 7 months No change Non-Express Entry PNP ~101,500 (-900) 13 months No change Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) ~20,400 (-800) 11 months No change Quebec Business Class ~3,700 (No change) 75 months No change Federal Self-Employed** ~8,000 (No change) More than 10 years No change Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) ~11,800 (-300) 26 months No change Start-Up Visa** ~47,500 (-100) More than 10 years No change ** These programs are paused. Applicants already in the queue continue to be processed. The FSWP reversal to seven months, adding one month after reaching six months for the first time in 2026 in August, is a setback for applicants who saw the improvement as a sign of sustained momentum.
The queue also grew by 1,400 applicants to approximately 53,800.
Caregiver Processing Times (Updated Monthly)
IRCC publishes a single consolidated processing time for all caregiver permanent residence programs.
This covers the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots, the Home Child Care Provider Pilot, the Home Support Worker Pilot, the Interim Pathway for Caregivers, the Caring for Children Pilot, and the Live-in Caregiver Program. This is the first time our monthly processing times roundup includes this category.
Category People Waiting Processing Time (Sept 3, 2026) Notes Caregivers: All programs ~36,900 76 months First time in our roundup The 76-month timeline and a queue of approximately 36,900 applicants underscore the depth of the backlog in caregiver permanent residence programs.
Temporary Visa Processing Times (Updated Weekly)
IRCC updates temporary residence processing times on a weekly basis, and the figures below reflect data as of September 9, 2026.
We will update this section as soon as IRCC publishes new weekly data, so check back regularly for the latest numbers.
Visitor Visas From Outside Canada
Country Processing Time (Sept 9, 2026) Change Since Last Week Change Since January 28, 2026 India 31 days No change -51 days United States 18 days -2 days -7 days Nigeria 84 days +4 days +44 days Pakistan 73 days -5 days +17 days Philippines 19 days +1 day +3 days Visitor Visa and Extensions From Inside Canada
Category Processing Time (Sept 9, 2026) Change Since Last Week Change Since January 28, 2026 Visitor visa (from inside Canada) 11 days No change -10 days Visitor record extension 403 days -7 days +242 days Visitor record extensions eased to 403 days from 410 last week, but the figure remains 242 days above the January 28 level and nearly double the reading recorded on July 22, highlighting how sharply this category deteriorated over the summer months.
Super Visa Processing Times
Country Processing Time (Sept 9, 2026) Change Since Last Week Change Since January 28, 2026 India 69 days +3 days -181 days United States 66 days -50 days -121 days Nigeria 44 days -8 days +6 days Pakistan 132 days -7 days -6 days Philippines 64 days -29 days -52 days The United States super visa plunged by 50 days in a single week, from 116 to 66 days, the largest one-week improvement recorded in any temporary category across the weekly September release.
Study Permit Processing Times From Outside Canada
Country Processing Time (Sept 9, 2026) Change Since Last Week Change Since January 28, 2026 India 5 weeks No change No change United States 6 weeks +1 week +1 week Nigeria 9 weeks No change +4 weeks Pakistan 7 weeks No change +3 weeks Philippines 5 weeks +1 week No change Study Permit From Inside Canada and Extensions
Category Processing Time (Sept 9, 2026) Change Since Last Week Change Since January 28, 2026 Study permit (from inside Canada) 7 weeks -1 week No change Study permit extension 64 days No change -40 days The inland study permit decreased by one week to 7 weeks.
New study permit proof of funds requirements took effect on September 1, which may affect upcoming application volumes.
Work Permit Processing Times From Outside Canada
Country Processing Time (Sept 9, 2026) Change Since Last Week Change Since January 28, 2026 India 10 weeks No change +1 week United States 2 weeks No change -1 week Nigeria 10 weeks +1 week +3 weeks Pakistan 8 weeks +1 week -12 weeks Philippines 7 weeks No change +1 week India work permit processing stays at 10 weeks, the highest level for Indian applicants in this category since the March 2026 data.
Work Permit From Inside Canada and Other Categories
Category Processing Time (Sept 9, 2026) Change Since Last Week Change Since January 28, 2026 Work permit from inside Canada (initial and extension) 110 days -3 days -131 days Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) 102 days +1 day +95 days International Experience Canada (IEC) 6 weeks No change -2 weeks Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) 5 minutes No change No change Inland work permits continued their sustained decline at 110 days, now 131 days below the January 28, 2026 level and two days lower than the August 26 update.
The sustained improvement in this category remains one of the most significant positive trends across the entire 2026 processing dataset.
Most eTA applications show a processing time of about 5 minutes. Some applications require additional processing, in which case IRCC says applicants will receive an email within 72 hours with next steps.
The September 2026 IRCC processing times reveal a system delivering targeted improvements in some categories while the citizenship certificate crisis accelerates beyond any prior benchmark.
Inland work permits at 110 days, CEC holding steady at six months, parents and grandparents sponsorship declining for the fifth consecutive month, and the super visa processing improvement are all positive indicators that IRCC is clearing backlogs in targeted streams.
However, the 33-month citizenship certificate timeline, the FSWP reversal to seven months, the 403-day visitor record extension, and spousal sponsorship outside Canada adding 4,600 applicants to its queue suggest that capacity constraints are deepening in several high-volume categories, a pattern that has intensified across every monthly release since May.
Applicants should file early, submit complete documentation, and check their IRCC portals regularly to stay ahead of any requests that could extend their wait.
For the latest developments on Canadian immigration news, evolving policy landscapes, and IRCC processing times, save this page and return regularly as new weekly and monthly data drops throughout 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why has citizenship certificate processing surged to 33 months when it was 10 months in March 2026?
Citizenship certificate processing climbed by eight months in a single reporting cycle to reach 33 months, up from 25 months in August and 10 months in March 2026. Over the same six-month period, the queue grew by approximately 85,100 applicants, from about 50,900 in March to 136,000 in September. The sustained acceleration is largely tied to the volume of applications under the Bill C-3 citizenship-by-descent provisions, which removed the first-generation limit in December 2025 and triggered an unprecedented surge in certificate applications from abroad.
Why did the Federal Skilled Worker Program go back up to 7 months after improving to 6 months in August?
The FSWP processing time returned to seven months in September after briefly dropping to six months in August for the first time in 2026. The queue also grew by 1,400 applicants to approximately 53,800, reversing the August decline of 3,400. This suggests the one-month improvement in August may have reflected a temporary clearing burst rather than a sustained capacity shift, and applicants should expect seven months as the more stable baseline for this stream heading into fall 2026.
What is the caregiver processing time and why is it included in this roundup for the first time?
IRCC publishes a single consolidated processing time for all caregiver permanent residence programs, covering the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots, the Home Child Care Provider Pilot, the Home Support Worker Pilot, the Interim Pathway for Caregivers, the Caring for Children Pilot, and the Live-in Caregiver Program. The combined estimate is 76 months with approximately 36,900 applicants in the queue. This is the first time our monthly processing times roundup includes this category, which is why no month-over-month comparison appears in the table above.
Are visitor record extensions actually starting to come down?
Visitor record extensions dropped to 403 days in the September 9 update, 7 days lower than the September 2 reading of 410 days. While the weekly decline is the largest in recent updates, the figure remains 242 days above the January 28, 2026, level and nearly double the reading from July 22. The modest decline suggests IRCC is beginning to chip away at the extension backlog, but a sustained return below 300 days would require multiple consecutive weeks of similar reductions, which has not yet materialized in the 2026 data.
How often does IRCC update processing times and when will the next refresh happen?
IRCC updates temporary residence processing times on a weekly basis, typically releasing new data on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. The figures in this article reflect the September 2 weekly data and the September 3 monthly data. Weekly updates cover visitor visas, study permits, work permits, super visas, electronic travel authorizations, PR cards, and all related subcategories like inland applications and extensions. Monthly categories like citizenship, family sponsorship, humanitarian and compassionate claims, and permanent residency through economic programs are updated once per month and will next be refreshed in October 2026. Save this page and check back regularly to see the latest weekly numbers as they become available.
Fact-checked: All processing times, queue figures, and comparison data in this article are sourced directly from the official IRCC processing time tool updated on September 3, 2026 (monthly categories) and September 9, 2026 (weekly categories).
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult a regulated immigration professional for guidance on your specific case.
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- 4 New Canada EI Rules Now In Effect Amid U.S. Tariffs
4 temporary Employment Insurance measures designed to support Canadian workers affected by U.S. tariffs and economic disruption are now in effect across Canada.
These measures change how quickly workers can start receiving EI, how severance and other separation payments interact with benefits, how many weeks of benefits certain long-tenured workers can collect, and how employers can use an expanded Work-Sharing program to avoid layoffs altogether.
Not all four measures started at the same time, and they do not all share the same expiry date.
The waiting-period waiver and separation-earnings measure have applied since March 30, 2025, while the long-tenured-worker measure applies to qualifying claims starting June 15, 2025.
All three currently run through October 10, 2026. The measures were extended once to April 2026 and then extended again through October 10, 2026.
The Work-Sharing tariff special measures operate on a separate timeline and currently run through March 31, 2028.
Here is what each measure does, who qualifies, and what workers and employers need to know right now.
Table of Contents
Measure 1: Temporary Waiver Of The EI Waiting Period
Under normal Employment Insurance rules, new claimants must serve a one-week unpaid waiting period before benefits become payable.
The government describes this waiting period as comparable to a deductible on other types of insurance.
Under the temporary measure, the waiting period is waived for all new EI claims that start between March 30, 2025, and October 10, 2026.
In practical terms, a worker who loses their job and files an EI claim within this window may begin receiving payable benefits sooner rather than forfeiting the first otherwise-payable week to the waiting period.
There is one exception: a claimant may still choose to serve the waiting period if doing so is to their advantage because of a top-up from a Supplemental Unemployment Benefit plan provided by their employer.
Measure 2: Temporary Suspension Of Separation Earnings Allocation
When an employee is permanently or temporarily separated from employment, the employer may pay out various amounts related to the end of the working relationship.
Under normal EI rules, these separation earnings are allocated starting from the week of separation, which can delay or reduce the start of EI benefit payments.
What Counts As Separation Earnings
The temporary measure covers the following types of separation earnings: severance pay, vacation pay, pay in lieu of notice, closure bonuses, and sick leave credits.
What The Temporary Rule Does
For claims or allocations that start between March 30, 2025, and October 10, 2026, earnings from separation are not deducted from EI benefits.
This is a significant change for workers who receive a lump-sum severance package or accumulated vacation payout at the time of layoff.
Under the normal rules, such payments could push the start of EI benefits out by several weeks, since the separation earnings would be allocated to cover the weeks immediately following the job loss.
Under the temporary measure, those same payments do not create a delay or reduction in EI benefit payments for qualifying claims within the eligible window.
Workers should not assume that receiving a severance package prevents them from applying for EI during this period.
Measure 3: Up To 20 Extra EI Weeks For Long-Tenured Workers
The third temporary measure provides qualifying long-tenured workers with up to 20 additional weeks of EI regular benefits, potentially increasing the maximum entitlement from the standard 45 weeks to 65 weeks.
Who Qualifies
To receive the additional weeks, a worker must meet all three conditions.
- Condition 1: The EI claim must start between June 15, 2025, and October 10, 2026.
- Condition 2: The claimant must have received at least one week of EI regular benefits on their claim.
- Condition 3: The claimant must meet the definition of a long-tenured worker.
Long-Tenured Worker Definition
Service Canada considers a claimant a long-tenured worker if they received fewer than 36 weeks of EI regular or fishing benefits in the three years before the start of their current claim and paid at least 30% of the annual maximum EI premiums for at least 7 of the 10 years before the year their claim starts.
This definition targets workers with a long, consistent history of EI contributions who have not relied heavily on EI benefits in recent years.
How The Extra Weeks Work
The 20 additional weeks are not automatically given to every EI claimant.
Only workers who meet all three qualifying conditions receive the extension.
If a worker qualifies, Service Canada adds the extra weeks automatically and extends the period during which benefits can be received by 20 weeks as well.
Regional unemployment-rate requirements and insurable-hours thresholds continue to apply for the initial EI claim eligibility determination.
The extra weeks add to whatever entitlement the claimant already qualified for under the standard rules.
Measure 4: Expanded Work-Sharing For Tariff-Affected Businesses
The fourth measure is fundamentally different from the first three because it is not a standard EI regular-benefit claim.
Work-Sharing is an EI-supported program that helps employers and employees avoid layoffs when a business experiences a temporary decrease in its normal level of activity that is beyond the employer’s control.
Instead of laying off workers, the employer temporarily reduces working hours for a group of employees, and EI provides income support for the hours those employees are not working.
How Work-Sharing Differs From A Regular EI Claim
In a standard layoff scenario, the worker files an individual EI claim and receives benefits while looking for new employment.
In a Work-Sharing arrangement, the worker remains employed at the same business, works reduced hours, and receives EI benefits to partially replace the lost income from those reduced hours.
All employees participating in the agreement must experience a minimum 10% reduction to their normal weekly earnings.
What The Tariff Special Measures Changed
The tariff-related special measures, originally implemented in response to the U.S. tariff situation, have been extended and now remain in effect through March 31, 2028.
Under the normal Work-Sharing rules, agreements can last up to 26 weeks with a possible 12-week extension, for a maximum of 38 weeks.
Under the tariff special measures, agreements can be extended to a maximum total of 152 weeks.
The minimum agreement duration has been shortened from 6 weeks to 4 weeks.
Mandatory cooling-off periods between successive Work-Sharing agreements are waived while the special measures remain in place.
Expanded Employer Eligibility
Under the tariff special measures, businesses that have been operating in Canada for one year can qualify, compared with the normal Work-Sharing requirement for a year-round business to have operated in Canada for at least two years.
Non-profit and charitable organizations experiencing a reduction in revenue as a direct or indirect result of the tariffs are now included.
Cyclical and seasonal employers are eligible.
Employers experiencing a decrease in work activity over the past six months of less than 10% may qualify, and utilization of Work-Sharing may exceed 60% in those circumstances.
Expanded Employee Eligibility
Seasonal and cyclical employees who are not year-round permanent staff can now participate in Work-Sharing agreements under the tariff special measures.
Employees assisting the employer’s recovery efforts are also eligible.
All participating employees must still be eligible for EI benefits, and the employer needs a minimum of two EI-eligible employees who agree to reduced hours.
Why These Measures Matter Now
Canada’s ongoing trade dispute with the United States has affected multiple sectors of the Canadian economy, including steel, aluminium, automotive, lumber, agriculture, and consumer goods.
The latest round of Canadian counter-tariffs took effect in September 2026, adding further uncertainty to supply chains and businesses on both sides of the border.
Payroll employment data from Statistics Canada showed a combined decline of nearly 70,000 payroll jobs in February and March 2026, with notable losses in accommodation, food services, construction, and retail.
The federal government has extended these temporary EI measures as part of its response to economic uncertainty and tariff-related disruption.
Working in a tariff-exposed sector does not by itself make a worker eligible for EI benefits; standard EI eligibility requirements, including insurable hours and the circumstances of job loss, continue to apply.
Another New EI Support Measure Is Coming
The federal government has announced the Workforce Retention and Retraining Program, which will combine the Work-Sharing Program and the existing Worker Retention Grant into a single program.
Under the proposed WRRP, participating EI-eligible workers whose hours are reduced will receive income support equivalent to 70% of their lost earnings, compared with the standard calculation under current Work-Sharing.
Participating employers may receive up to $1,000 per worker for eligible training and administrative costs.
The WRRP page on canada.ca, published September 4, 2026, uses future-tense language throughout, indicating the program has not yet officially launched.
Until the WRRP comes into effect, the existing Work-Sharing Program and Worker Retention Grant will continue to operate with additional flexibilities, including eligibility for employers that need to transform, retool, or diversify.
The WRRP is not counted among the four measures currently in effect because it has not yet been implemented as of this article’s publication date.
What Canadian Workers Should Do If Their Hours Are Cut Or They Lose Their Job
Apply for EI as soon as employment stops. Do not wait for your Record of Employment; Service Canada says you can apply even if you have not yet received it.
Do not assume severance prevents you from applying. Under the temporary separation-earnings measure, severance pay, vacation pay, and other qualifying separation payments are not deducted from EI benefits for claims within the eligible window.
Check whether your employer participates in Work-Sharing. If your hours are being reduced rather than eliminated, Work-Sharing may allow you to keep your job while receiving EI support for the hours you are not working.
Determine whether you qualify as a long-tenured worker. If you have paid at least 30% of the annual maximum EI premiums for at least 7 of the 10 years before the year your claim starts, received fewer than 36 weeks of EI regular or fishing benefits in the 3 years before your claim, and meet the other conditions, you may receive up to 20 additional weeks of regular benefits.
Complete biweekly reports on time. Missing a report can interrupt or delay your benefit payments regardless of whether you qualified under a temporary measure.
Gather documentation. Have your Social Insurance Number, banking details, and information about any severance or separation payments ready before you apply.
Remember that eligibility is case-specific. Service Canada makes all EI entitlement decisions based on the individual facts of each claim, including regional unemployment rates, insurable hours, and the circumstances of the job loss.
Summary Of The 4 Temporary EI Measures
EI Measure What Changed Who May Benefit Current Effective Period Waiting period waiver The normal 1-week unpaid waiting period is waived. Claimants establishing a new EI claim within the eligible window Claims starting March 30, 2025, to October 10, 2026 Separation earnings suspension Severance, vacation pay, pay in lieu of notice, closure bonuses, and sick leave credits are not deducted from EI benefits. Workers receiving qualifying separation payments Claims or allocation starting March 30, 2025, to October 10, 2026 Extra weeks for long-tenured workers Up to 20 additional weeks of regular benefits, to a maximum of 65 weeks total Long-tenured workers meeting contribution and claim-history requirements Claims starting June 15, 2025, to October 10, 2026 Work-Sharing tariff special measures Agreements up to 152 weeks; expanded employer and employee eligibility; cooling-off periods waived Employers and EI-eligible employees in tariff-affected businesses March 7, 2025, to March 31, 2028 Source: Temporary Employment Insurance measures and Work-Sharing Program, Government of Canada. As Canada continues responding to tariff-related economic uncertainty, these temporary EI measures can provide important income support for workers facing layoffs, reduced hours, or employment disruption.
Workers should check which measure applies to their situation, apply for EI promptly when eligible, and confirm whether their employer is using Work-Sharing before assuming reduced hours automatically qualify for regular benefits.
With several temporary EI measures currently scheduled to end on October 10, 2026, affected workers should stay informed about any further federal extensions or changes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I still have to wait one week before receiving EI in Canada?
Not if your claim starts between March 30, 2025, and October 10, 2026. The temporary measure waives the normal one-week waiting period for all new EI claims within this window, meaning you may start receiving payable benefits sooner.
The one exception is if you have a Supplemental Unemployment Benefit plan from your employer that makes it advantageous to serve the waiting period.Will severance pay delay my EI benefits under the temporary rules?
For claims or allocations starting between March 30, 2025, and October 10, 2026, separation earnings, including severance pay, vacation pay, pay in lieu of notice, closure bonuses, and sick leave credits, are not deducted from your EI benefits.
Under normal rules, these payments are allocated from the week of separation and can push back the start of EI.
Under the temporary measure, that allocation is suspended, so these payments should not delay or reduce your benefits for qualifying claims within the eligible period.Who can receive the additional 20 weeks of EI?
The extra 20 weeks are available to long-tenured workers whose claims start between June 15, 2025, and October 10, 2026, who have received at least one week of EI regular benefits, who used fewer than 36 weeks of EI regular or fishing benefits in the three years before the claim, and who paid at least 30% of the annual maximum EI premiums in at least 7 of the 10 years before the claim year.
Not every EI claimant qualifies; the measure targets workers with a long, consistent contribution history and limited recent EI use.Can I receive EI if my employer reduces my hours because of tariffs?
If your employer has entered into a Work-Sharing agreement with Service Canada, you can remain employed at reduced hours while receiving EI benefits for the hours you are not working.
Your employer must apply and have the agreement approved by Service Canada, and all participating employees must agree to the reduced schedule and share the available work.
If your employer simply reduces your hours without an approved Work-Sharing agreement, that reduction alone does not necessarily make you eligible for EI regular benefits.
Under the general EI rules, a claimant normally needs an interruption of earnings, which generally requires at least seven consecutive days with no work and no earnings from that employer, along with the other eligibility requirements.How long will Canada’s temporary EI tariff measures remain in effect?
The waiting-period waiver applies to new claims starting between March 30, 2025, and October 10, 2026.
The separation-earnings measure applies if the claim or the allocation starts within that period, while the extra-week measure applies to qualifying long-tenured-worker claims starting between June 15, 2025, and October 10, 2026.
The Work-Sharing tariff special measures run on a separate, longer timeline and are currently in effect through March 31, 2028.
No further extension beyond these currently published end dates has been announced as of publication.Fact-checked against the Government of Canada’s Temporary Employment Insurance measures page (updated April 9, 2026), the Work-Sharing Program page (updated September 4, 2026), and the Workforce Retention and Retraining Program page (published September 4, 2026).
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, employment, or financial advice. EI eligibility is determined by Service Canada on a case-by-case basis. Contact Service Canada directly for assistance with your specific claim.
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These International Students In Canada Set To Face Increased Scrutiny
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- These International Students In Canada Set To Face Increased Scrutiny
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is increasing scrutiny on study permit extension applications filed by international students whose original permits were processed through the now-cancelled Student Direct Stream.
The shift follows a 2026 Auditor General performance audit that uncovered significant integrity gaps in how SDS applications were originally screened and how extension requests from those applicants were later handled.
IRCC has agreed to review former SDS extension applicants with what the department describes as a renewed risk lens, using an advanced analytics model to triage cases by risk and complexity.
IRCC’s action plan scheduled the launch of compliance investigations into higher-risk SDS-linked study permit extension cases by September 2026, while several other enforcement measures are scheduled through fall 2026
This article explains who is affected, what the audit found, what IRCC plans to do, and what current international students should do to protect their status.
Table of Contents
What Was The Student Direct Stream
The Student Direct Stream was an expedited study permit processing pathway launched in 2018 and eventually made available to legal residents living in 14 designated countries.
Eligible applicants who met the stream’s documentary and eligibility requirements were processed under a 20-calendar-day service standard.
IRCC cancelled the Student Direct Stream on November 8, 2024, citing integrity concerns and the goal of ensuring all applicants are assessed on an equal footing.
Countries That Were Eligible Under SDS
The 14 countries whose legal residents could apply through the Student Direct Stream were Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, Senegal, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam.
However, the distribution of approved SDS applications was heavily concentrated in one country.
Metric 2022 2023 Indian nationals as share of SDS approvals 96% 96% Total SDS applications approved 152,706 232,764 Indian nationals as share in 2024 87% (of 46,848 total SDS approvals in 2024) Source: Auditor General of Canada, International Student Program Reforms report, Exhibit 9. The figures make clear that while 14 countries were technically eligible, Indian nationals overwhelmingly dominated the SDS in every year it operated.
Why Former SDS Approvals Are Receiving Attention Now
The Auditor General’s performance audit of International Student Program reforms identified specific integrity problems tied to how SDS applications were originally processed.
The Light-Touch Problem
Applications processed under the Student Direct Stream received what the audit described as a light-touch eligibility review by processing officers.
In the case of applicants from India, this light-touch approach did not match the high-risk profile that IRCC’s own risk assessment units had assigned to the country.
IRCC identified integrity risks in the Student Direct Stream as early as 2022 and by August 2023 had flagged that the stream was being targeted by non-genuine students.
Despite these internal warnings, no corrective action was taken during that period.
Approval rates for Indian nationals processed through SDS rose from 61% in 2022 to 98% in 2024, even as the country remained classified as high risk.
Key Auditor General Findings On Fraud And Extensions
The audit produced several findings that explain why IRCC is now tightening its approach to former SDS extension applications.
- Finding 1: In three separate investigations, IRCC identified 800 approved study permits issued between 2018 and 2023 where applicants had used fraudulent documentation or misrepresented information to gain entry to Canada.
- Finding 2: Of those 800 confirmed fraud cases, 541 permits (68%) had originally been approved through the Student Direct Stream.
- Finding 3: Former SDS applicants represented 56% of the 43 sampled extension applications involving students starting new programs.
- Finding 4: They accounted for 17 of 19 approved extensions in the audit sample where indicators of potential ineligibility were present, such as insufficient financial documentation.
- Finding 5: Of the 800 individuals identified as having used fraudulent documents, 92% had applied for or received other immigration permits after arriving in Canada, including 124 permanent residence applications (105 approved) and 110 asylum claims.
The department did not consider acting in any of the 800 cases at the time, and no alerts were placed on these individuals’ immigration files for future applications.
Important Context
These findings do not mean that every student who received a study permit through the Student Direct Stream committed fraud or misrepresentation.
Hundreds of thousands of students were approved through SDS over several years, and the confirmed fraud cases represent a subset of those approvals.
The audit findings do, however, explain why IRCC has concluded that its previous approach to screening extension applications from this group was insufficient.
What IRCC Is Doing About It
IRCC’s management action plan, presented to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, lays out specific timelines and measures.
Renewed Risk Lens For Former SDS Extension Applicants
IRCC agreed to assess extension applications from former Student Direct Stream applicants with a renewed risk lens and ensure assessment is based on study permit requirements.
This means former SDS extension applications will be assessed using a renewed risk lens, while applications identified as higher risk or more complex will be routed to officers assigned to process those cases.
Advanced Analytics Model For Triage
IRCC launched an advanced analytics model in November 2025 that triages study permit extension applications based on risk and complexity.
The model assigns higher-risk or more complex applications to officers with the corresponding level of expertise, rather than routing all extension requests through the same generalized review.
Model updates were scheduled for implementation in summer 2026, with a quality assurance exercise to validate outcomes planned for fall 2026.
Compliance Investigations Launching By September 2026
IRCC’s action plan scheduled the identification of volumes and scope for higher-risk compliance investigations by June 2026.
The launch of study permit compliance investigations targeting higher-risk SDS-linked extension cases was scheduled for September 2026.
Separately, IRCC committed to completing reviews of cases identified in the audit and adding information alerts to the files where applicable by September 30, 2026.
New Program Delivery Instructions on misrepresentation were also scheduled for publication by September 2026.
Other Related Measures
IRCC is centralizing the function responsible for pursuing potential misrepresentation related to letters of acceptance, with full implementation targeted for September 30, 2026.
The department is also working with the Canada Border Services Agency to develop a strategy for increasing enforcement action on non-compliance in the student stream, with implementation planned for December 2026.
Who Is Most Directly Affected
The students most directly affected by these changes are those currently in Canada on study permits that were originally issued through the Student Direct Stream and who need to apply for a study permit extension.
This includes students extending their current program because they need more time to complete it and students starting a new program after finishing an initial one.
Given that 96% of SDS approvals in 2022 and 2023 were Indian nationals, this group will be disproportionately represented among those subject to the renewed risk lens.
However, the policy change applies to all former SDS applicants regardless of nationality, covering all 14 eligible countries.
As of September 2025, an estimated 675,070 international students with post-secondary study permits remained in Canada, according to IRCC data cited in the audit.
What Higher-Risk Triage Does And Does Not Mean
The advanced analytics model triages extension applications by risk and complexity to determine the level of officer review each case receives.
This is a risk-sorting mechanism, not an automatic refusal system.
What It Means
Applications identified as higher risk will be assigned to officers with expertise in reviewing complex or potentially non-compliant cases.
These officers may conduct a more thorough review of financial documentation, enrollment history, academic progress, and compliance with study permit conditions.
Officers may request additional information or documentation before making a decision.
What It Does Not Mean
IRCC has not announced automatic refusals for former SDS applicants. There is no published policy requiring mandatory interviews for all former SDS extension applicants.
A blanket document request to every former SDS student has not been described in any official IRCC communication reviewed for this article.
Being flagged as higher risk through the triage model means the application receives a more detailed review, not that it will be refused.
Does An SDS Approval Automatically Create a Problem?
A big NO!
Having originally been approved through the Student Direct Stream does not, by itself, mean a student committed fraud, misrepresented information, or failed to comply with study permit conditions.
The audit identified systemic weaknesses in how the stream was administered, particularly the mismatch between the light-touch processing approach and the high-risk profile of the primary source country.
The renewed risk lens is intended to apply the scrutiny that should have been applied during the original processing stage, not to presume guilt on the part of every former SDS student.
Students who have genuinely pursued their studies, maintained enrollment at a designated learning institution, and met all permit conditions can demonstrate compliance through their records.
Will Every Study Permit Extension Receive Additional Scrutiny
Not necessarily, the advanced analytics model triages extension applications by risk and complexity so they can be assigned to officers with the corresponding level of expertise.
Separately, IRCC has committed to assessing extension applications from former SDS applicants with a renewed risk lens.
Students whose original permits were not processed through the SDS are not the primary target of this particular measure, though IRCC’s broader integrity reforms affect the entire international student population.
What Current Students Should Do
Current international students in Canada should take three practical steps in response to these developments.
First, confirm your compliance status by verifying that you are actively pursuing studies at the designated learning institution listed on your study permit, that your enrollment is current, and that you are meeting the conditions of your permit.
Second, organize your records now rather than waiting until IRCC contacts you, because producing records on demand is far easier when they have been maintained in an orderly way throughout your studies.
Third, if you are planning to apply for a study permit extension, prepare a complete application with strong supporting documentation showing that you meet all eligibility requirements, including the financial threshold.
If you have already received a procedural fairness letter or a request for information from IRCC, respond carefully within the stated deadline and consider obtaining professional immigration advice.
Helpful Tips For International Students In Canada
The following guidance applies to all international students, not only those who entered through the Student Direct Stream.
In an environment of increased compliance enforcement, maintaining organized and truthful records is one of the most practical ways to demonstrate that you have complied with your study permit conditions.
Why Record-Keeping Matters More Than You Think
Even a completely genuine international student should maintain organized, contemporaneous records showing compliance with study permit conditions.
Simply stating that you are a genuine student may not be sufficient if IRCC later asks for evidence of your academic activity, financial situation, or program history.
Genuine students can still be caught off guard if they assume their compliance will be self-evident and therefore do not keep records readily available.
The safest approach is to maintain truthful, contemporaneous records as events occur so you can demonstrate compliance if IRCC asks for evidence.
Never create, alter or backdate documents simply to make a file appear stronger.
Records You Should Retain
Keep copies of these documents throughout your stay in Canada, organized by date and category.
- Letters of acceptance and enrollment confirmations from your designated learning institution.
- Transcripts and academic records for every term of study.
- Attendance records where your institution makes them available.
- Tuition payment receipts showing amounts paid, dates, and the institution name.
- Course registration records and proof of full-time or authorized part-time status each semester.
- Emails or correspondence with your school regarding academic matters, program changes, or leaves of absence.
- Records explaining authorized leaves, program changes, or gaps in studies, including any written approval from your institution.
- Study permit copies, extension submissions, and IRCC confirmation receipts.
- Proof of address and residence history in Canada, such as lease agreements or utility bills.
- Genuine financial records used for your applications, including bank statements and GIC documentation.
- Co-op or work authorization records where applicable, including employer letters and pay stubs.
- Records relating to school transfers or changes of program, including new letters of acceptance and any communications with IRCC about the change.
- Copies of every document you have submitted to IRCC and any correspondence received from IRCC, including acknowledgement letters and requests for additional information.
What You Should Never Do
Never create, alter, backdate, or manufacture evidence to support an immigration application or respond to an IRCC inquiry.
Submitting fraudulent or misrepresented documents can result in a finding of misrepresentation under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a five-year ban from applying to Canada, refusal of the current application, and potential removal from Canada.
If you realize that a previous application contained an error or omission, consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant or immigration lawyer about how to address it rather than attempting to correct it on your own in a way that could be interpreted as further misrepresentation.
If IRCC Contacts You
If IRCC issues a request for information, a procedural fairness letter, or raises any concern about your eligibility, compliance, or potential misrepresentation, take the communication seriously.
Read the letter carefully and identify exactly what IRCC is asking or alleging. Note the deadline for your response and do not miss it.
Gather the specific documents and evidence that address the concern raised.
Consider obtaining professional immigration advice from a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant or an immigration lawyer before submitting your response.
Respond within the deadline with organized, truthful documentation that directly addresses the points raised by IRCC.
With IRCC’s new risk-based approach and compliance investigations scheduled for September 2026, former SDS students applying to extend their study permits should be prepared for closer review of their eligibility and compliance history.
The key takeaway is simple: genuine students should not panic, but they should keep clear, truthful records and be ready to demonstrate that they have followed their study permit conditions if IRCC asks for evidence.
As Canada continues tightening integrity controls across the international student program, staying compliant, organized, and informed will become increasingly important.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can IRCC refuse my study permit extension solely because my original permit was issued through SDS?
IRCC has not announced a policy of automatic refusals for former SDS applicants. Having an SDS-issued permit means your extension may receive a more detailed review under the renewed risk lens, but the decision still depends on whether you meet the eligibility requirements for an extension, including financial capacity and active pursuit of studies.
A refusal would need to be based on specific grounds under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, not simply on the stream through which the original permit was processed.I entered Canada through SDS and have followed all the rules. Should I be worried?
Students who have maintained the enrollment required by their permit, actively pursued their studies, documented any authorized leave or permitted gap, complied with applicable work limits, and met the requirements for their extension are in the strongest position to demonstrate compliance.
The renewed risk lens means your application may be reviewed more carefully, but meeting all eligibility requirements remains the standard for approval.
The most important step you can take now is to organize your records so that you can readily demonstrate compliance if asked.Does the Auditor General’s 68% fraud finding mean most SDS students used fraudulent documents?
No, The 68% figure means that of 800 specific confirmed fraud cases identified through three IRCC investigations, 541 of those 800 cases involved permits originally approved under the Student Direct Stream. It does not mean that 68% of all SDS students committed fraud.
Hundreds of thousands of study permits were approved through SDS between 2018 and 2024, and the 800 confirmed cases represent a small fraction of total SDS approvals.When will IRCC’s compliance investigations into SDS-linked extensions actually begin?
According to IRCC’s management action plan, the department was scheduled to identify the volume and scope of investigations by June 2026 and launch study permit compliance investigations in September 2026.
The quality assurance exercise to validate the advanced analytics model outcomes is planned for fall 2026.
The advanced analytics model has been in use since November 2025. Separately, IRCC’s action plan scheduled SDS-linked compliance investigations to launch by September 2026 and a quality-assurance exercise on the model for fall 2026.Should I hire an immigration consultant or lawyer right now?
If you have no outstanding compliance concerns, have maintained your records, and are meeting all permit conditions, you may not need professional assistance immediately. However, if you have received any communication from IRCC raising concerns about your eligibility or compliance, if you are aware of any discrepancies in your file, or if you are uncertain about whether your situation could be flagged as higher risk, obtaining professional advice is strongly recommended. You can verify that a consultant is authorized through the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants registry.
Fact-checked against the Auditor General’s International Student Program Reforms report, IRCC’s management action plan presented to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration on May 4, 2026, and IRCC’s management response and action plan overview from April 20, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant or immigration lawyer for advice specific to your situation.
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- 7 Big Express Entry Draw Changes Proposed In New Report
Canada’s flagship immigration selection system is under pressure, and one of the country’s largest banks is calling for a dramatic overhaul.
The Royal Bank of Canada published a sweeping report on September 1, 2026, titled “A Smarter Immigration Strategy,” arguing that Express Entry is no longer working as originally intended.
The central finding is stark: category-based selection rounds are allowing lower-scoring candidates to leapfrog higher-ranking applicants who have been waiting in the EE pool.
RBC found that admission through the Canadian Experience Class requires more than 100 CRS points higher on average than admission through some category-based selections.
The report calls for restoring the original points-based model, prioritizing the highest-scoring Express Entry candidates, and potentially reversing the 2022 legislative changes that first opened the door to additional category-based draws.
We (Immigration News Canada) have grouped the report’s major Express Entry-related proposals into 7 potential changes and explain what each could mean for candidates.
Table of Contents
1. Restore the Points-Based System by Admitting the Highest-Ranking Candidates First
RBC’s first and most direct recommendation is to return Express Entry to its founding purpose: selecting applicants with the highest projected earning potential.
The Comprehensive Ranking System was designed to score candidates on factors including education, language ability, work experience and age, then invite the top scorers first.
RBC’s report notes that Express Entry has delivered strong results when it operates this way.
According to IRCC data cited in the report, immigrants arriving through the Canadian Experience Class earned median incomes of $92,100 after 10 years, compared with $67,400 for the broader economic immigrant group and $47,600 for Canadians overall.
Those outcomes are driven by the points system selecting applicants most likely to thrive economically.
RBC argues that the introduction of category-based draws has eroded this advantage by creating parallel streams where candidates with lower CRS scores receive invitations ahead of higher-scoring applicants.
Under the report’s proposed framework, Express Entry draws would consistently prioritize the highest-ranking candidates in the pool regardless of occupation or category eligibility.
If adopted, this would move federal selection closer to a model in which candidates are primarily prioritized by CRS ranking rather than occupation-specific federal category eligibility.
2. Rein In or Remove Federal Category-Based Express Entry Draws
The second recommendation directly targets the category-based selection framework that IRCC introduced in 2023.
RBC argues that sub-categories within Express Entry are undermining the program by creating lower entry thresholds for specific occupation groups.
The report illustrates this with a concrete example: a teaching assistant selected through the educational occupations category may receive an invitation ahead of an engineer or nurse practitioner with a significantly higher CRS score in the general pool.
This dynamic has played out throughout 2026, with French-language proficiency draws inviting candidates at CRS scores as low as 382, while Canadian Experience Class draws have required scores above 500.
Healthcare and trades occupation draws have similarly invited candidates at CRS cutoffs well below the CEC threshold.
RBC recommends that Canada “refrain from leveraging the Express Entry program to advance short-term aims by adding sub-categories within it or other federal economic immigration categories alongside it.”
IRCC’s spring 2026 consultations separately explored merging the three federal high-skilled programs into a single Federal High Skilled program.
Those consultations explicitly excluded category-based selection, which IRCC reviews through a separate process.
RBC suggests going further by eliminating the category-based draw structure entirely at the federal level.
This is RBC’s recommendation, not an IRCC policy decision.
3. Reverse the 2022 Legislation That Enabled Additional Category-Based Draws
RBC goes beyond recommending administrative changes and suggests that Parliament may need to reverse the legislation itself.
In 2022, the federal government introduced legislative amendments that gave the immigration minister authority to create EE categories beyond the original three programs: the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and Federal Skilled Trades Program.
That legislative change is what enabled IRCC to conduct category-based draws targeting healthcare workers, French-language speakers, STEM professionals, trades workers, transport occupations and education professionals.
RBC notes that the list of the categories has already changed multiple times since 2022 and argues this illustrates “how quickly skill demands change and the futility of designing permanent immigration around them at a national level.”
The 2026 category restructuring announced by Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab in February added five new occupation categories, including physicians, senior managers and military recruits, while modifying work experience requirements for existing categories.
RBC argues that reversing the 2022 authority could end federal category-based draws and return federal Express Entry selection to a much stronger points-based focus, while targeted labour-market selection would largely shift to provinces and territories.
This is the most aggressive of the seven potential changes outlined here and would require Parliamentary action, not simply a ministerial instruction change.
4. Set a Minimum Proportion of Economic Immigration Through Express Entry
RBC recommends that policymakers consider whether guaranteeing a minimum share of permanent economic immigration through Express Entry would strengthen both economic outcomes and public confidence in the system.
The report highlights a striking long-term trend: in 2000, nearly 80% of economic immigrants were admitted through federally managed points-based selection, but that share has dropped to roughly 30% in recent years.
This decline reflects the growth of the Provincial Nominee Program, which now accounts for a significant portion of economic admissions, along with the introduction of other non-points-based federal pathways.
Under the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada has set a 2026 target of 109,000 admissions under Federal High Skilled programs, which include the federal programs managed through Express Entry, within an overall economic immigration target of 239,800.
IRCC separately describes Federal High Skilled admissions as accounting for roughly 45% of economic immigration admissions.
RBC is proposing that policymakers consider establishing a minimum share for the admissions so that points-based federal selection retains a significant role in economic immigration.
5. Re-Introduce a Minimum Core CRS Score for Express Entry
One of the less-discussed recommendations in the report is reintroducing a minimum CRS threshold for Express Entry draws based on core selection factors.
RBC notes that CRS cut-off scores dropped from the mid-400s before the pandemic to as low as 75 in 2021 when Canada sought to meet permanent residency targets during travel restrictions.
Although scores have recovered significantly since then, with CEC draws in 2026 consistently requiring scores above 500 and French-language draws reaching as low as 382, the original points system was built with a formal minimum threshold that had to be met for any admission.
RBC recommends considering a minimum cut-off based on core selection factors, explicitly excluding points awarded for a provincial nomination.
The distinction matters because provincial nominees receive an automatic 600-point CRS boost, which pushes PNP draw cutoffs into the 700-plus range regardless of a candidate’s underlying human capital score.
This change would affect candidates at the lower end of the CRS score distribution and could permanently close the door on the ultra-low cutoffs seen during the pandemic years.
6. Shift Category-Based Selection to Provinces and Territories
Rather than eliminating category-based immigration entirely, RBC recommends relocating it from the federal level to the provincial and territorial level.
The logic is that talent shortages in healthcare, skilled trades and other sectors vary dramatically by region, making provinces better positioned to identify and recruit for specific occupations.
RBC points to the Provincial Nominee Program’s track record of distributing immigration benefits across Canada as evidence that this approach works.
When the PNP launched in 1998, only 11% of economic immigrants settled outside Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia, but by 2024 that proportion had risen to 37%.
However, RBC also flags serious problems with the current PNP landscape, including roughly 80 provincial pathways that vary significantly across provinces despite addressing similar needs.
The report recommends that provinces coordinate to reduce system complexity by moving toward fewer, more stable categories with adjustable criteria.
RBC also notes that provincial nominees selected from the Express Entry pool tend to earn about 30% more after three years than nominees selected through non-EE streams, suggesting provinces should lean more heavily on the pool for their nominations.
Under this model, the federal government would focus on high-CRS selection through Express Entry, while provinces handle occupation-specific recruitment through their own nominee programs.
7. Commit to Regular CRS Recalibration Reviews
The final recommendation addresses the scoring formula itself.
RBC argues that Canada should commit to regular reviews of the Comprehensive Ranking System to ensure it reflects changing labour market dynamics, particularly as artificial intelligence reshapes which skills remain valuable.
This recommendation aligns in part with IRCC’s own spring 2026 consultations, which proposed overhauling the CRS to give more weight to factors most strongly associated with economic success.
IRCC identified strong official-language skills and high temporary-resident earnings as the strongest predictors, while Canadian work experience, job offers, university education and younger age were classified as moderate predictors.
Spousal, sibling, French bonus and Canadian-study points were identified as relatively weaker predictors.
IRCC is considering additional CRS points for Canadian work experience or valid job offers in high-wage occupations.
RBC separately suggests incorporating temporary-worker earnings data directly into Canada’s immigration scoring mechanism, which would strengthen the two-step immigration pipeline by rewarding candidates who have already demonstrated high earning potential in the Canadian labour market.
RBC’s recommendation goes beyond a one-time update by calling for a recurring recalibration process that would keep the CRS formula current as the Canadian economy evolves.
If implemented alongside the other changes discussed above, this would create a system where Express Entry is governed by a regularly updated, evidence-based points formula, with no parallel category-based streams at the federal level.
What the 100-Point CRS Gap Means for Current Candidates
The most striking data point in the entire RBC report is the CRS score gap between different Express Entry pathways.
Canadian Experience Class cutoffs have remained above 500 throughout 2026, ranging from a low of 507 to a high of 523 through September 1.
By contrast, category-based draws have operated at significantly lower thresholds, with the physicians category recording a CRS cutoff of just 169 in February 2026, the lowest category-based cutoff since category-based selection began in 2023.
French-language draws have consistently invited candidates around 382 to 420 throughout the year.
RBC’s finding that CEC admission requires “over 100 points more, on average” than category-based admission quantifies what many Express Entry candidates have observed throughout the 2026 draw cycle.
A candidate with a CRS score of 495 who qualifies only for CEC draws has not received an invitation in 2026, while a candidate at CRS 400 who met the French-language category requirements could have received an invitation in several 2026 French-language rounds.
This gap has created a two-tier dynamic within Express Entry where category eligibility often matters more than overall human capital score.
What Ending Category-Based Draws Could Mean for Specific Groups
If RBC’s recommendations were adopted, the effects would ripple across every candidate profile in the Express Entry pool.
CEC candidates with high CRS scores could be among the biggest beneficiaries if a larger share of federal invitations were issued through CRS-driven selection instead of being allocated to category-based rounds.
French-language candidates currently benefit from dedicated draws that account for a large share of all category-based invitations and offer cutoffs roughly 100 points below CEC thresholds.
Under current CRS rules, French-speaking candidates can receive up to 50 additional CRS points for French proficiency, depending on their English-language results.
If dedicated French-language category draws were eliminated, those candidates would lose that separate selection pathway, while any future treatment of French bonus points would depend on accompanying CRS reforms.
Healthcare workers, skilled trades professionals, education workers and transport occupation candidates who currently qualify for the lower-cutoff category draw would similarly need to compete on overall CRS score alone.
RBC acknowledges this tension directly, noting that “one could argue that all of Canada’s economic immigration should come through Express Entry,” but that doing so “would ignore talent shortages in communities across the country.”
That is precisely why the report proposes shifting category-based selection to the provincial level rather than eliminating it entirely.
Provinces would continue running targeted draws for healthcare, trades and other shortage occupations through their own nominee programs, while the federal EE system would focus on top CRS scorers.
IRCC Has Not Announced These Changes
It is essential that Express Entry candidates understand the distinction between a policy recommendation from a private-sector institution and an official government announcement.
RBC is Canada’s largest bank and its thought leadership reports carry significant weight in public policy discussions.
However, IRCC continues to operate category-based Express Entry draws as of September 2026.
IRCC continues to operate category-based selection in 2026 and has conducted rounds for French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services, trades, physicians, senior managers, transport and skilled military recruits, among others.
The Immigration Levels Plan itself does not publish separate admission targets for each Express Entry category.
IRCC’s own spring 2026 public consultations on Express Entry reform explored significant changes to the CRS formula and program structure, but no final regulations have been published.
The 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan consultations closed in June 2026, and the new plan is expected to be tabled by November 2026.
Implementation would depend on the change.
Some reforms could be made through Ministerial Instructions, regulatory amendments would be published through the Canada Gazette process, and reversing the 2022 statutory authority for category-based selection would require Parliament.
What Candidates Should Watch Next
The RBC report arrives at a moment when Express Entry is already in the middle of its most significant policy discussion in years.
IRCC’s own consultations have proposed merging the three existing programs into a single Federal High Skilled program and overhauling the CRS formula, signalling that the department recognizes some of the same structural problems RBC has identified.
The question now is how far the government is willing to go. Candidates should monitor three developments closely in the months ahead.
The first is the 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan, expected in fall 2026, which will reveal whether Ottawa changes the overall Federal High Skilled allocation and broader economic immigration priorities.
The second is the outcome of IRCC’s Express Entry consultations, which are expected to inform future amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations and Ministerial Instructions.
IRCC has not announced a final implementation timeline.
The third is whether any political momentum builds around reversing the 2022 legislation, which would be the most consequential structural change to Express Entry since the program launched in 2015.
Until official changes are announced, category-based Express Entry draws remain active, and candidates should continue building their profiles accordingly.
RBC’s ‘A Smarter Immigration Strategy’ report makes a detailed private-sector case for fundamentally restructuring how Canada selects economic immigrants through Express Entry.
Whether Ottawa acts on any of these proposals will depend on political will, the upcoming 2027–2029 Levels Plan, and the outcome of IRCC’s own ongoing consultations.
For now, Express Entry candidates should focus on maximizing their CRS scores, exploring provincial nomination pathways and monitoring official IRCC announcements for any confirmed policy changes.
Follow Immigration News Canada for complete coverage of every Express Entry draw result, IRCC policy announcement and immigration reform development as it happens.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Canada ending category-based Express Entry draws?
No, RBC’s September 2026 report recommends removing federal category-based draws and restoring a stronger points-based system, but these are recommendations from a private-sector institution. IRCC continues to conduct category-based draws across healthcare, trades, French-language proficiency, physicians, senior managers and other occupation categories throughout 2026. The Immigration Levels Plan does not publish separate admission targets for each Express Entry category, and IRCC has not announced plans to end them.
How many more CRS points does the Canadian Experience Class require compared to category-based draws?
RBC found that CEC admission requires more than 100 CRS points higher on average than some category-based selections. In 2026, CEC cutoffs have ranged from 507 to 523, while French-language draws invited candidates at CRS scores as low as 382, and the physicians category recorded a cutoff of 169, the lowest category-based cutoff since that type of selection began in 2023.
What would happen to French-language Express Entry draws if RBC’s recommendations were adopted?
Dedicated French-language Express Entry rounds would no longer exist at the federal level. French-speaking candidates can currently receive up to 50 additional CRS points for French proficiency, depending on their English-language results, and provinces could continue targeting Francophone candidates through their own Provincial Nominee Programs. However, the significantly lower CRS cutoffs that French-language draws currently offer would disappear from federal Express Entry.
What 2022 legislation does RBC want reversed for Express Entry?
In 2022, amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act gave the immigration minister authority to create Express Entry categories beyond the original three programs. RBC recommends potentially reversing this authority, which would end federal category-based draws and return federal Express Entry selection to a much stronger points-based focus. Reversing a statutory provision would require Parliamentary action.
When could these Express Entry changes actually take effect?
No timeline exists because these are RBC recommendations, not government proposals. Implementation would depend on the type of change: some reforms could be made through Ministerial Instructions, regulatory amendments would go through the Canada Gazette process, and reversing the 2022 statutory authority would require Parliament. IRCC has not announced a final implementation timeline for its own Express Entry consultation outcomes.
Fact-Checked: All data and recommendations attributed to RBC in this article are drawn directly from the “A Smarter Immigration Strategy” report published on September 1, 2026, by RBC Thought Leadership. CRS cutoff scores and Express Entry draw data referenced throughout are based on official IRCC rounds of invitation results as published through September 2026. This article has been reviewed to ensure no government policy decisions, official quotes, dates or statistics have been fabricated or misrepresented.
Disclaimer: This article is published by Immigration News Canada for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice. RBC’s recommendations have not been adopted by the federal government, and IRCC has not announced any plans to end category-based Express Entry draws. Candidates should consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or licensed immigration lawyer before making decisions based on potential future policy changes.
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- New Canada Tariffs To Make These 629 Items More Expensive Effective September 8
Effective September 8, 2026, Canada is imposing new counter-tariffs on hundreds of U.S.-origin products that touch nearly every aisle of Canadian retail.
The Department of Finance Canada initially published the tariff schedule on August 25 and revised it on August 26.
The current list contains 629 tariff items covering $27.6 billion in annual imports from the United States, down from 874 tariff items in the original version after 254 fish and seafood classifications were removed and nine other items were added.
The number 629 refers to customs tariff items or classifications, not necessarily 629 individual retail products.
The new tariff rates are 15%, 25%, and 50%, depending on the product, and each rate matches the corresponding duty the United States placed on the same Canadian goods.
Canadian shoppers could eventually notice price increases on everything from cheese and clothing to refrigerators, smartphones, plywood, and toilet paper if retailers pass the added import costs through to store shelves.
This article breaks down the full list of affected products by category, explains which tariff rate applies to each group, and identifies the items most likely to affect everyday household spending in Canada.
Table of Contents
What Changes On September 8, 2026?
The counter-tariffs take legal effect at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, as confirmed in the official government backgrounder.
The tariffs cover $27.6 billion in U.S. goods entering Canada and apply at three distinct rates.
Products in the 50% band include steel, aluminum, furniture, clothing and apparel, concentrated dairy products, plastics, paper and pulp products, cosmetics, smartphones, and several sporting and recreational goods.
The 25% band covers cheese, major household appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines, softwood lumber, certain steel and aluminum derivative products, insulated wiring, toilet paper, kitchen furniture, and certain dishwasher parts.
Products at the 15% rate include certain dies and moulds, HVAC equipment, forklifts, agricultural machinery, and some electronics.
Ottawa framed the action as a dollar-for-dollar response to Washington’s August 22 decision to impose 50% Section 338 tariffs on $27.6 billion of Canadian exports.
For steel and aluminum specifically, existing Canadian counter-tariffs that have been in place since March 2025 will increase from 25% to 50% to match the higher American rate.
Existing counter-tariffs on U.S. automobiles remain separately in effect and are not part of the September 8 list.
U.S. goods that are already in transit to Canada when the tariffs take effect are exempt from the new duties.
Full List Of Items To Become More Expensive In Canada
The following categories are drawn from the revised August 26 tariff schedule published by the Department of Finance Canada, reorganized into consumer-friendly groupings.
Clothing And Apparel
Tariff rate: 50%
The September 8 list includes cotton T-shirts, knitted pullovers and cardigans made from cotton or synthetic fibres, women’s dresses and trousers of synthetic materials, men’s suits and blazers of wool, men’s and women’s overcoats and jackets of man-made fibres, synthetic gloves and mittens, and garments made from coated or laminated fabrics.
At a 50% tariff, covered U.S.-origin apparel faces the steepest new duty of any consumer category, which could put upward pressure on retail prices for affected clothing imported into Canada.
Beauty And Personal Care Products
Tariff rate: 50%
Perfumes and toilet waters, lip makeup products, eye makeup preparations, manicure and pedicure products, and certain hair preparations all appear on the September 8 list at the highest rate.
American-made cosmetics brands that ship U.S.-origin products to Canadian retailers could see meaningful cost increases at the border, though brands sourcing from manufacturing facilities outside the United States would not be affected by these specific duties.
Refrigerators And Freezers
Tariff rate: 25%
Household refrigerators and freezers of various sizes and configurations are included at a 25% counter-tariff under HS heading 8418.
Major kitchen appliance purchases are among the clearest areas where Canadians could see price movement, since many popular refrigerator brands manufacture in the United States.
Cooking And Kitchen Appliances
Tariff rate: 25%
Electric stoves, ranges, ovens, cookers, rice cookers, bread makers, grills, and cooking plates are included at 25%.
Certain household dishwasher parts, including water-containment chambers and door assemblies, are also subject to a 25% tariff, though the finished household dishwasher itself does not appear on the revised list.
For families shopping for new kitchen equipment, the tariff could add a notable premium to covered U.S.-origin appliances, particularly in categories where a handful of American manufacturers dominate the Canadian market.
Household Products
Tariff rates: 25% to 50%
Toilet paper and paper towels are on the list at 25%, while disposable paper tablecloths, serviettes, and other paper-based household items appear at 50%.
Plastic tableware, kitchenware, and other household articles made from plastics carry a 50% tariff.
Household washing machines and clothes dryers are listed at 25%.
Chandeliers, pendant lights, and other light fixtures appear in the 50% bracket.
Carpets, rugs, and textile floor coverings of nearly all materials and construction methods are subject to tariffs ranging from 25% to 50%.
Food And Dairy Products
Tariff rates: 25% to 50%
Concentrated milk and cream in powder or granule form, whey protein concentrates, powdered whey, milk albumin, and casein products all carry a 50% counter-tariff.
Every variety of cheese on the list, including cheddar, mozzarella, brie, gouda, provolone, Swiss, parmesan, havarti, romano, blue-veined cheese, and processed cheese, is subject to a 25% tariff.
Natural honey imported from the United States faces a 50% duty, and molasses carries the same rate.
Baking mixes and prepared doughs containing butterfat are also listed at 50%.
Canadians who regularly purchase U.S.-origin specialty cheeses or dairy ingredients could see some of the most visible grocery price pressures from this category.
Plastics And Packaging
Tariff rate: 50%
Plastic floor coverings and wall coverings made from vinyl chloride polymers, self-adhesive plastic film and tape, polyethylene bags and packaging, and disposable plastic plates, cups, and trays are all included at 50%.
Businesses that rely on U.S.-sourced plastic packaging for food service or shipping could face higher input costs, potentially flowing through to consumers.
Home Renovation And Construction Materials
Tariff rates: 25% to 50%
Softwood lumber, including pine, fir, spruce, and hemlock varieties, is subject to a 25% counter-tariff.
Plywood and veneered panels of all types, including bamboo, hardwood, and coniferous plywood, carry a 50% rate.
Gypsum drywall boards faced with paper are listed at 50%.
Glass containers and jars used in construction and packaging are subject to a 50% tariff.
Copper wire, added to the list on August 26, also faces a 50% duty.
Anyone planning a home renovation using U.S.-sourced lumber, plywood, or drywall should be aware that these materials may cost considerably more after September 8.
Furniture
Tariff rates: 25% to 50%
Wooden household furniture is subject to a 50% counter-tariff, while kitchen furniture items such as cabinets are listed at 25%.
Seating with wooden or metal frames appears at rates between 25% and 50% depending on the specific tariff classification.
Steel And Aluminum Products
Tariff rate: 50% (increased from existing 25%)
Steel ingots, semi-finished steel, flat-rolled steel products in every width and coating type, steel bars, rods, wire, angles, shapes, sections, structural steel, pipes, tubes, and fittings all move to 50%.
Aluminum bars, rods, wire, foil, plates, and structural profiles also face the 50% rate.
Prefabricated steel structures such as bridges, towers, scaffolding, and door and window frames are included.
Steel, aluminum, and other metal products make up a substantial share of the revised 629-item schedule, making metals the largest overall group covered by the September 8 measures.
The cost increase could ripple through Canadian construction and manufacturing sectors over the coming months.
Tools And Equipment
Tariff rates: 15% to 50%
Tool rates vary substantially by classification. Certain powered hand tools, including saws and chain saws, carry a 25% tariff, while several hand-tool classifications reach 50%. Some specialized dies, moulds, and machinery-related tools fall within the 15% band.
Tradespeople and contractors who depend on specific American tool brands could feel the cost difference on large orders, particularly for items in the higher tariff brackets.
Agricultural Equipment
Tariff rates: 15% to 25%
Rider-type counterbalanced forklifts and certain agricultural mowers are listed at 15%, while powered horizontal-blade lawn mowers carry a 25% rate.
Forklifts and works trucks also appear at 15% to 25% depending on the specific classification.
Canadian farmers and landscaping businesses that purchase American-made equipment could see a moderate increase in acquisition costs.
Paper, Pulp And Packaging Products
Tariff rates: 25% to 50%
Chemical wood pulp, tissue stock, coated paper and paperboard, envelopes, notebooks, binders, folders, corrugated cartons, and paper bags are all on the list.
Many of these products carry a 50% rate, while certain kraft paper and paperboard items fall at 25%.
Office supply costs and commercial packaging expenses could rise for businesses sourcing these materials from the United States.
Electronics And Electrical Equipment
Tariff rates: 15% to 50%
Smartphones are listed at a 50% counter-tariff, one of the most consumer-visible items on the entire September 8 schedule.
Video game consoles, including major platforms like PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo systems, also face a 50% duty on U.S.-origin units.
Insulated electric wiring and conductors are listed at 25%, while certain electronic components and telecommunications equipment appear across the 15% to 50% range depending on the specific product.
Air conditioning units and parts fall at 15% to 25%.
Sporting And Recreational Goods
Tariff rate: 50%
Golf clubs and golf equipment, fishing rods, and exercise equipment are all subject to a 50% counter-tariff.
Wood charcoal, added to the list on August 26, also faces a 50% rate, which could affect the cost of barbecue supplies sourced from the United States.
Full List Of All 629 Tariff Items Effective September 8
The table below summarizes every product group on the revised August 26 schedule by HS chapter, with the number of tariff items in each group, the applicable rates, and common product descriptions.
For individual tariff-item-level lookup, the complete line-by-line schedule is published on the Department of Finance Canada website.
HS Ch. Product Group Items Rate What It Covers 04 Dairy: milk, cream, whey 16 50% Concentrated milk powder, cream, whey protein, powdered whey 04 Cheese and curd 30 25% Cheddar, mozzarella, brie, gouda, provolone, Swiss, parmesan, havarti, romano, processed cheese, blue-veined cheese, fresh cheese 04 Natural honey 1 50% All natural honey 17 Molasses 4 50% Cane molasses and other molasses in powder or liquid form 19 Baking mixes and doughs 10 50% Mixes and doughs containing butterfat for bakery preparation 33 Cosmetics and perfumes 5 50% Perfumes, lip makeup, eye makeup, manicure/pedicure products, hair preparations 35 Dairy-derived proteins 5 50% Casein, milk albumin, milk protein substances, peptones 39 Plastics and packaging 6 50% Vinyl floor/wall coverings, self-adhesive film, polyethylene bags, plastic tableware, kitchenware, household articles 44 Wood and lumber 5 25% Softwood lumber: pine, fir, spruce, hemlock, S-P-F 44 Plywood and panels 12 50% All plywood types: bamboo, tropical, hardwood, coniferous, LVL, blockboard 44 Wood charcoal 2 50% Wood charcoal, agglomerated or not 47 Wood pulp 1 50% Chemical dissolving-grade wood pulp 48 Paper and tissue stock 3 25–50% Tissue/towel stock (50%), kraft paper (25%), coated paper (50%) 48 Household paper products 4 25–50% Toilet paper (25%), facial tissues and towels (25%), paper tablecloths (50%), other paper household items (50%) 48 Packaging and stationery 7 50% Corrugated cartons, paper bags, envelopes, notebooks, binders, folders, paper trays/plates 49 Printed matter 1 50% Printed pictures, designs, photographs 57 Carpets and floor coverings 32 25–50% Knotted, woven, tufted, and felt carpets in wool, nylon, synthetic, and other materials 61 Knitted apparel 6 50% Cotton T-shirts, cotton/synthetic pullovers and cardigans, synthetic dresses and trousers, synthetic gloves 62 Woven apparel 17 50% Men’s wool suits/blazers/trousers, women’s synthetic dresses, overcoats, protective garments, cotton and synthetic garments 68 Plaster/drywall 1 50% Gypsum drywall boards reinforced with paper 70 Glass containers 1 50% Glass bottles, jars, and packing containers 72 Iron and non-alloy steel ~134 50% Steel ingots, semi-finished steel, flat-rolled products (hot/cold, all widths, coated/uncoated), bars, rods, wire, angles, shapes, sections, rails, piles, tubes, pipes, fittings 73 Steel articles and structures ~80 25–50% Structural steel, bridges, towers, scaffolding, doors, windows, fasteners, springs, stoves, radiators, kitchen sinks, sanitary ware 74 Copper products ~6 50% Copper wire of various cross-sections 76 Aluminum products ~40 50% Aluminum bars, rods, wire, plates, sheets, foil, tubes, pipes, structures, fittings 83 Base metal fittings ~4 25% Hinges, clasps, mountings, and fittings for furniture, doors, vehicles 84 Machinery and appliances ~50 15–25% Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dishwasher parts, forklifts, mowers, cranes, jacks, hoists, certain machinery components 85 Electrical equipment ~16 25–50% Electric ovens/cookers/ranges (25%), insulated wiring (25%), smartphones (50%), electric accumulators, telecom equipment 87 Vehicles ~2 50% Motorcycles, goods/livestock trailers 94 Furniture and lighting ~22 25–50% Wood/metal household furniture (50%), kitchen cabinets (25%), seating (25–50%), chandeliers and light fixtures (50%) 95 Sporting goods and consoles ~5 50% Video game consoles, golf clubs, fishing rods, exercise equipment Note: Item counts marked with “~” are approximate for chapters with large numbers of closely related sub-classifications. The definitive line-by-line reference is the revised August 26 Finance Canada schedule linked above.
September 8 Canada Tariffs At A Glance
Product Category Examples New Tariff Rate Potential Consumer Impact Steel and aluminum Flat-rolled steel, rebar, aluminum foil, structural steel 50% Higher construction, manufacturing, and renovation costs Clothing and apparel T-shirts, sweaters, overcoats, suits, gloves 50% Pricier U.S.-origin clothing at retail Furniture Wood household furniture, cabinets, seating 25% to 50% Costlier home furnishing purchases Dairy products Cheddar, mozzarella, brie, milk powder, whey 25% to 50% Higher cheese and dairy ingredient prices Beauty and cosmetics Perfumes, lipstick, eye makeup, nail products 50% More expensive U.S. beauty brands Appliances Refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, stoves, cooking appliances, certain dishwasher parts 25% Increased cost for major kitchen and laundry purchases Smartphones and consoles U.S.-origin smartphones, gaming consoles 50% Potential price hikes on consumer electronics Plastics and packaging Plastic bags, tableware, film, packaging 50% Higher costs for food service and shipping supplies Paper and pulp Toilet paper, tissues, envelopes, notebooks 25% to 50% Gradual increase in paper product prices Construction materials Lumber, plywood, drywall, copper wire 25% to 50% More expensive renovation and building projects Tools Powered hand tools, saws, dies, moulds 15% to 50% Varies by classification, significant for some items Agricultural equipment Mowers, forklifts, farm machinery 15% to 25% Higher equipment costs for farmers Sporting goods Golf clubs, fishing rods, exercise equipment 50% Pricier recreational gear from U.S. brands Honey and sweeteners Natural honey, molasses 50% Costlier imported honey at grocery stores Does A 25% Tariff Mean Prices Will Rise 25%?
No, and this is one of the most common misconceptions in tariff coverage.
A 25% counter-tariff is charged on the declared customs value of the imported goods at the Canadian border, not on the final retail price a consumer pays.
The retail price of any product includes the original import cost, shipping, warehousing, distributor markups, retailer margins, and applicable sales taxes.
As a simplified illustration, consider a U.S.-made kitchen appliance that costs $400 at the border before any tariff.
A 25% counter-tariff adds $100 to the landed cost, bringing it to $500.
If the retailer previously sold that appliance for $600, the tariff-adjusted cost could push the shelf price to roughly $650 to $700, depending on how much of the increase the retailer absorbs and how competition affects pricing decisions.
In practice, the actual retail increase depends on several factors: how much inventory was imported before September 8, whether the retailer can switch to a non-U.S. supplier, how aggressively competitors price the same category, and what margins the business can afford to compress.
This example is an illustration and not a prediction of any specific product’s price trajectory.
Will Canadian-Made Products Get More Expensive Too?
The September 8 counter-tariffs apply exclusively to goods originating in the United States, so a product manufactured entirely in Canada from Canadian-sourced materials is not directly subject to these duties.
However, Canadian manufacturers that rely on U.S.-sourced raw materials or components listed on the tariff schedule could face higher production costs.
A Canadian furniture maker that imports U.S.-origin plywood, a bakery that uses U.S. milk powder, or a contractor that buys American steel could all see input prices rise, and some of that cost increase may eventually reach the consumer.
Companies that source domestically or from non-U.S. trading partners may be less directly affected, though competitive pricing dynamics in a given market can still cause broader price movement.
The federal government’s $7.5 billion support package for affected workers and businesses, announced alongside the counter-tariffs, includes financing through regional development agencies and the Business Development Bank of Canada to help companies manage the transition.
What Canadians Should Know Beginning September 8
Products that were already imported into Canada and sitting in retail or warehouse inventory before September 8 will not be retroactively tariffed, so price changes on store shelves may not appear immediately.
Retailers have the option to absorb some or all of the tariff cost rather than passing it to consumers, particularly in competitive categories where rival brands are sourced from non-U.S. countries.
The tariffs apply only to goods that qualify as U.S.-origin under the CUSMA country-of-origin marking regulations, meaning not every product of a given type sold in Canada is affected.
Simply shipping a product through a U.S. warehouse does not automatically make it subject to the tariff. What matters is whether the product qualifies as U.S.-origin under the applicable marking rules.
Some businesses may accelerate sourcing from alternative countries such as Mexico, the European Union, or Asia-Pacific trading partners to reduce exposure.
Price effects are expected to emerge gradually rather than overnight, as existing inventory cycles through and new import costs begin to flow into the supply chain.
The September 8 counter-tariffs represent the latest major expansion of Canadian trade measures against the United States in the current dispute.
Consumers should expect gradual rather than overnight changes, and the degree of price impact will vary sharply by product category, by retailer, and by how quickly supply chains adjust.
Watching for shifts in pricing on high-visibility items such as appliances, cheese, clothing, and construction materials over the next several weeks will provide the clearest early signal of how deeply these tariffs are reaching Canadian households.
The Department of Finance product list remains the definitive reference, as the government has already revised the schedule once since the initial announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What new Canada tariffs take effect September 8, 2026?
Canada is imposing counter-tariffs of 15%, 25%, and 50% on 629 U.S. tariff items totalling $27.6 billion in annual imports, effective 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. The rates match the corresponding U.S. duties on equivalent Canadian goods, targeting sectors including steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, furniture, clothing, cosmetics, and electronics.
Which products could become more expensive in Canada?
Products on the September 8 tariff list that could see price increases include cheese, milk powder, refrigerators, washing machines, stoves, smartphones, video game consoles, clothing, furniture, plywood, drywall, steel, aluminum, toilet paper, cosmetics, honey, plastic packaging, office supplies, and tools. The actual price change depends on whether retailers pass the added import cost through to consumers.
Will prices rise by the full tariff amount?
Not necessarily. Tariffs are applied to the customs value of imported goods, not to the final retail price. The amount consumers ultimately pay depends on retailer decisions, available inventory, the ability to source from non-U.S. suppliers, competitive pressure, and exchange rate conditions. A 25% tariff does not automatically translate to a 25% retail price increase.
Do the tariffs apply to Canadian-made products?
No, the September 8 counter-tariffs apply only to goods that originate in the United States under the CUSMA country-of-origin marking regulations. Products manufactured in Canada are not subject to these duties. However, Canadian producers that use U.S.-origin raw materials or components from the tariff list may face higher production costs.
Are all U.S. products subject to the new tariffs?
No, the counter-tariffs cover a specific list of 629 tariff items published by the Department of Finance Canada. Many U.S. products are not on the list. U.S. automobiles are covered by separate existing counter-tariffs and are not part of the September 8 measures. Energy products are also excluded.
Fact-Checked: This article was fact-checked against the revised August 26, 2026, Department of Finance Canada product list, the government backgrounder on Canada’s targeted countermeasures, and supplementary reporting from the Canadian Press. All tariff rates, effective dates, and product classifications cited in this article are sourced from Canada.ca or verified secondary reporting that references the official schedule. The original August 25 list contained 874 tariff items; the revised August 26 list contains 629 tariff items after the removal of 254 fish and seafood classifications and the addition of nine other items. Reviewed and published on September 7, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or trade compliance advice. Tariff classifications are determined at the individual product level and importers should consult a licensed customs broker for specific guidance. Retail price impacts described in this article reflect potential outcomes and are not guarantees of specific price changes. Immigration News Canada is not affiliated with the Government of Canada.
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- 10 New Ontario Laws and Rules In September 2026
September 2026 is delivering one of the busiest months for new provincial rules, policy shifts, and program changes Ontario has seen in years.
Transit fares, rental laws, school grading, university funding, highway speeds, and healthcare access are all changing within the same four-week window.
Some of these changes took effect on September 1, others land on September 8 or September 21, and a few carry deadlines at the end of the month.
Whether you rent an apartment, ride the TTC, drive a 400-series highway, or have a child starting high school, at least one of these items will directly affect your daily life.
Ontario also saw a heavy round of new provincial rules take effect in July 2026, and several new federal laws arrived alongside them in September.
Here is a full breakdown of 10 major Ontario laws, rules, and changes taking effect this month.
Table of Contents
1. New Ontario School Rules Begin
Ontario’s Ministry of Education has overhauled secondary school assessment and evaluation practices for the 2026-27 school year, and the changes are among the most substantial in over two decades.
Most secondary courses will now include a mandatory written final exam as a fixed percentage of the final grade.
For Grades 9 and 10, the final mark is now composed of 65% classroom work, 20% final evaluation, and 15% attendance and participation.
For Grades 11 and 12, the breakdown shifts to 65% classroom work, 25% final evaluation, and 10% attendance and participation.
In core subjects like math, English, and science, the written exam accounts for the full 20% or 25% final-evaluation weight.
Other courses generally follow a split of 10% exam and 15% culminating task, or a 15% exam and 10% task combination, depending on the subject.
Exemptions exist for specific course types, including locally developed compulsory credit courses, workplace-preparation and open courses, co-operative education, and interdisciplinary studies.
The Grade 9 EQAO mathematics assessment will now serve as the written final exam and count for 20% of the final course grade.
Attendance and participation are graded together on a five-level scale.
A student who misses more than 10% of classes for unexcused absences falls below level 1, which directly affects their final mark.
Teachers will assess whether students contribute to discussions, ask relevant questions, and support a positive classroom culture.
Students who began Grade 9 in 2025-26 or later must complete the new financial literacy graduation requirement, generally through the compulsory Grade 10 Career Studies course.
Students need a mark of 70% or higher on the financial literacy modules, which make up 5% of their final Career Studies grade.
Ontario also updated the kindergarten curriculum for the first time in several years as part of the broader education overhaul.
These education changes arrive alongside new immigration-linked benefit eligibility rules that Ontario introduced in August 2026.
2. Ontario Tuition And OSAP Rules Change
Ontario’s seven-year freeze on domestic tuition officially ended this fall.
Public colleges and universities can now raise tuition by up to 2% annually for the next three years under a new framework announced on February 12, 2026.
After the initial three-year period, future increases will be capped at 2% or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower.
Even with these increases, the provincial government says Ontario tuition will remain below 2019 levels until at least 2030.
The bigger shift for students is the restructuring of the Ontario Student Assistance Program.
Starting with the 2026-27 academic year, students will receive a maximum of 25% of their provincial OSAP funding as non-repayable grants.
At least 75% of OSAP funding will now be issued as repayable loans.
This is a dramatic reversal from the previous structure, where a much larger share of provincial aid could be delivered as grants.
For eligible study periods beginning on or after August 1, 2026, students at private career colleges are no longer eligible for the Ontario Student Grant, although other OSAP assistance may still depend on individual eligibility.
Alongside the OSAP restructuring, Ontario committed $6.4 billion in additional funding over four years to public universities, colleges, and Indigenous Institutes.
Annual operating support is rising to $7 billion, which the province describes as the highest level in its history.
The province also enhanced the Student Access Guarantee, a needs-based program designed to help low-income students cover tuition, books, and mandatory fees when OSAP falls short.
Students and families planning for post-secondary education can review the full OSAP eligibility requirements before applying.
Major New Landlord And Tenant Rules Take Effect
September 21, 2026, marks the second wave of amendments to Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act under Bill 60 and Bill 97.
These changes follow the first wave that took effect on July 1, 2026, which included shortened review deadlines, doubled maximum fines for landlord misconduct, and a mandatory payment agreement form.
The most significant September 21 change is the reduction of the N4 non-payment notice period from fourteen days to seven days for monthly and yearly tenancies.
Under the current rules, a tenant who misses rent and receives an N4 has fourteen days to pay before the landlord can file an L1 eviction application with the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Starting September 21, that window drops to seven days.
The tenant can still void the notice by paying in full within that seven-day period, but the timeline before a landlord can proceed to the Board is now cut in half.
Ontario is also introducing a statutory definition of persistent late payment for the first time.
The new regulation expressly includes situations where a tenant fails to pay rent within seven days of the due date on at least three occasions within any six-month period, subject to limited exceptions.
A landlord may rely on that pattern in seeking termination through the LTB.
Renoviction protections are also being strengthened with new written communication requirements.
Landlords who issue an N13 for renovations must now provide an estimated completion date, notify the tenant of changes, confirm when the unit is ready, and give tenants at least sixty days to exercise their right of first refusal.
Tenants seeking to raise certain issues during non-payment eviction hearings will now need to pay half of the claimed rent arrears no later than seven days before the hearing.
A separate change allows landlords who serve an N12 personal-use notice with at least 120 days’ notice to waive the standard one-month compensation requirement.
Under Ontario Regulation 240/26, the person named in an N12 must move in within sixty days of the tenant vacating, or a rebuttable presumption of bad faith takes effect.
The 2026 Ontario rent increase guideline remains at 2.1% for units subject to rent control.
4. Ontario Launches Another Major Family-Doctor Expansion
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones announced on August 18, 2026, that Ontario is opening a new call for proposals in September to create or expand approximately 78 primary care teams.
The stated goal is connecting another 600,000 people to a family doctor or primary-care provider.
This $250 million investment is part of the province’s broader $3.4 billion Primary Care Action Plan, which aims to connect every person in Ontario to primary care by 2029.
Communities across Ontario will be eligible to apply for funding through the September call for proposals.
All Ontario Health Teams will receive guidance in September before the call officially launches.
Primary care teams bring together doctors, nurse practitioners, registered and practical nurses, physiotherapists, social workers, dietitians, and other professionals under one roof.
Separately, 124 successful applicants from the 2026-27 funding round are already receiving funding for new or expanded primary care teams.
Those teams are expected to connect another 500,000 patients to primary care, including people currently waiting through the Health Care Connect registry.
The government says more than 20,000 physicians have been added to Ontario’s health-care workforce since 2018, including a 14% increase in the number of family doctors.
Ontario is also developing a province-wide primary care medical record system intended to integrate patient information and reduce administrative demands on providers.
The province has been making substantial investments across healthcare and social services in 2026, including changes to ODSP payment schedules and new CRA benefit payment timelines for Ontario residents.
5. More Ontario Highways Move To 110 km/h
Ontario is completing the latest phase of its highway speed-limit expansion, with the goal of posting 110 km/h on nearly 89% of the provincial highway network by the end of September 2026.
The province is raising the limit from 100 km/h to 110 km/h on an additional 938 kilometres of highways, with the rollout occurring in stages from late June through September 30.
Currently, approximately 873 kilometres of provincial highways carry a posted speed limit of 110 km/h.
Once all September changes take effect, roughly 89% of the network will operate under the higher limit, up from 43% before the expansion began.
The sections moving to 110 km/h by September 30 include Highway 403 from QEW to Highway 401, Highway 404 from Highway 401 to Mulock Drive, Highway 406 from Westchester Avenue to Highway 58, Highway 407 from Brock Road to Highway 35/115, Highway 412 from Highway 401 to Highway 407, Highway 418 from Highway 401 to Highway 407, the QEW from Freeman Interchange to Highway 403, and two additional QEW stretches in the Niagara region.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said drivers travelling between Sarnia and Toronto could save nearly 20 minutes under the new limits.
Those driving from Toronto to Ottawa could save close to half an hour.
The expansion builds on previous speed-limit increases introduced on six highway sections in 2022 and ten sections in 2024.
All affected highway sections underwent detailed engineering and technical assessments before the increases were approved.
Newly constructed freeways, including Highways 413 and 425, are being designed with a posted speed limit of 110 km/h from the start.
The stunt-driving threshold remains unchanged at 40 km/h or more over the posted limit, meaning drivers on an 110 km/h highway who reach 150 km/h face vehicle impoundment and licence suspension.
Ontario introduced new driving licence rules linked to immigration status verification under the same Bill 60 legislation that also delivered the rental law changes.
6. Medical Schools Must Reserve At Least 95% Of Seats For Ontario Residents
Starting with the fall 2026 admissions cycle, all Ontario medical schools must allocate at least 95% of their undergraduate seats to residents of Ontario.
Under the new framework, the remaining seats are generally limited to eligible applicants from elsewhere in Canada, which effectively eliminates the traditional international-applicant pathway for undergraduate medical-school admission in Ontario, subject to the legislation and any prescribed exceptions.
The law does provide an exception if there are insufficient qualified Ontario applicants to fill the reserved seats.
The policy was announced by Premier Doug Ford on October 25, 2024, as part of Ontario’s response to the province’s family-doctor shortage.
More than 2.5 million Ontarians currently lack a primary care provider, and the province says locally trained graduates are significantly more likely to remain and practice in Ontario.
Ontario now has seven operating medical schools, with York University expected to bring the total to eight when its program opens by 2028.
The new legislation formalizes a seat-allocation structure and makes it a binding requirement across all Ontario medical schools.
The province also expanded the Learn and Stay Grant, investing $88 million to cover tuition and educational costs for 1,360 undergraduate medical students who commit to practicing family medicine in Ontario.
Ontario’s broader immigration-linked policy changes in 2026 also include a redesigned Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program with new workforce-priority pathways.
7. Permanent Flashing School-Zone Warning Signs Due
Ontario municipalities that previously operated automated speed enforcement cameras in school zones must have permanent large warning signs with flashing lights installed by September 2026.
This deadline stems from Bill 56, the legislation that banned municipal speed cameras across Ontario effective November 14, 2025.
When the province repealed speed camera authority, it required municipalities to install interim large signs by mid-November 2025 and permanent flashing-light signage by September 2026.
The replacement signs read “Maximum 40 km/h” and “School Zone” and are meant to serve as the primary visual deterrent for speeding drivers near schools.
Several municipalities reported logistical issues with the initial signs, with both Toronto and Ottawa noting that the province-supplied signs were physically too large for existing poles.
The province provided a $210 million fund to help affected municipalities cover the cost of alternative traffic-calming measures, including the flashing signs, speed bumps, raised crosswalks, and curb extensions.
Safety advocates and multiple municipal councils have criticized the speed camera ban, citing research showing cameras reduced speeding by 45% in Toronto school zones.
The permanent flashing-light deadline coincides with the start of the new school year across Ontario.
Parents with school-age children may also want to review Ontario’s 2026 statutory holidays and long weekends to plan around the fall schedule.
8. Major GO Train And Bus Schedule Changes
Metrolinx began rolling out service changes across four GO Train lines on September 5, with additional adjustments starting September 8 and September 12.
The Lakeshore East, Lakeshore West, Barrie, and Stouffville lines are all affected, primarily during off-peak hours.
Rush-hour rail service remains unchanged, but weekend and evening train frequencies are being reduced on several corridors.
Weekend service on the Lakeshore East and Lakeshore West lines is returning to 30-minute intervals, down from the 15-minute service that was in place during the summer and the FIFA World Cup period.
Midday and evening service to and from Niagara Falls on weekdays is also being adjusted.
On the Barrie line, several weekday evening trains have been removed from the schedule, and weekend train service will run every two hours between 2:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
The Stouffville line will have no weekend train service until after 3:00 p.m., with replacement buses operating on routes 65, 68, and 71.
Metrolinx attributed the changes to seasonal demand adjustments, train-crew training and certification needs, and recovery from elevated ridership during the FIFA World Cup.
The transit agency said the interim measures are expected to remain in place until spring 2027.
GO bus schedules are also changing, with the return of service to post-secondary campuses on several routes and the addition of a new Route 43 between Mount Pleasant GO Station in Brampton and McMaster University in Hamilton.
These schedule changes arrive in the same month as several new CRA benefit payments for Ontario families and ongoing provincial benefit payment adjustments.
9. New TTC Fare-Capping Rules Now In Effect
As of September 1, 2026, the Toronto Transit Commission has introduced monthly fare capping for all riders who pay electronically.
Adults, youth, seniors, and Fair Pass customers who consistently use the same PRESTO card, debit or credit card, or mobile-wallet device will ride free after 47 paid trips within the calendar month.
The trip count resets at the beginning of each new month, and riders do not need to sign up or opt in.
Only the first tap of each new trip counts toward the 47-fare cap, because additional taps within the existing two-hour transfer window remain free.
Riders must tap the same card or device every time for their fares to accumulate toward a single cap.
A physical PRESTO card and the same card loaded into a mobile wallet are treated as separate payment methods.
If a rider switches between devices mid-month, neither device will reach the cap on its own.
The TTC simultaneously discontinued several existing fare products on August 31, 2026.
The adult monthly pass, youth monthly pass, senior monthly pass, Fair Pass monthly pass, youth twelve-month pass, and senior twelve-month pass are no longer available for purchase.
Adult twelve-month passes and post-secondary student monthly passes remain active and continue to offer the lowest per-ride cost for riders who use them daily.
Toronto’s 2026 operating budget approved the fare-capping program alongside a third consecutive fare freeze, with current adult pay-as-you-go fares remaining at $3.30 by PRESTO debit or credit and $3.35 by cash.
The TTC says the monthly cap will drop from 47 paid trips to 40 in 2027.
The Ontario One Fare Program that launched in 2024 continues to operate alongside the new TTC fare cap for riders connecting between TTC and regional transit agencies.
10. GO Transit And UP Express Fare-Evasion Fines Increase
Metrolinx is dramatically increasing fines for fare evasion on GO Transit and the UP Express, effective September 8, 2026.
A first-time offence will now carry a $200 fine, up from the previous $35 penalty.
That represents a 471% increase for passengers caught travelling without valid proof of payment.
Subsequent offences escalate sharply: $300 for a second offence, $400 for a third, and $500 for a fourth.
A fifth offence will result in a Provincial Offence Notice carrying a $600 set fine, while a sixth or subsequent offence can lead to a court summons and a fine of up to $1,000 upon conviction.
Metrolinx says fare evasion costs the transit system approximately $21 million in lost revenue each year.
The agency urged commuters to avoid fines by tapping their PRESTO, debit, or credit card at the start and end of each trip.
Riders who transfer between GO trains and buses, or between GO Transit and connecting transit agencies, should tap the same card every time.
Anyone using a discounted fare, including students and veterans, must carry valid identification in case of an inspection.
The increased fines follow a 2022 graduated-penalty structure that started at just $35 for first offences.
September 2026 is reshaping daily life for millions of Ontarians across transit, housing, education, healthcare, and transportation.
Many of these changes carry specific deadlines and compliance requirements that make it essential to understand the exact dates and rules before they take effect.
Residents should bookmark official provincial and municipal sources and review how each change applies to their specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will TTC fare capping apply to cash-paying riders?
No, monthly fare capping only applies to electronic payments made with a PRESTO card, debit card, credit card, or mobile wallet. Cash fares are exact-fare, one-way trips that do not count toward the 47-trip cap. Riders who regularly pay with cash and want to benefit from capping will need to switch to one of the accepted electronic payment methods and use the same card or device consistently throughout the month.
Can a landlord serve a 7-day N4 notice before September 21, 2026?
No, any N4 notice served before September 21 must use the existing fourteen-day termination period to be legally valid. A landlord who serves a seven-day N4 before the effective date risks having the notice declared void by the Landlord and Tenant Board. The new timeline applies only to notices served on or after September 21, regardless of when the rent arrears originally accrued.
Do the new OSAP grant-to-loan ratios affect students who are already enrolled and receiving OSAP?
Yes, the restructured 25% maximum grant and 75% minimum loan ratios apply to all OSAP recipients beginning with the 2026-27 academic year, regardless of whether the student is newly enrolled or continuing. Students who received their OSAP for the 2025-26 year under the old structure will see the new ratios reflected in their next funding cycle. The 2026-27 OSAP application already reflects these changes.
What happens if a municipality misses the September 2026 deadline for installing flashing school-zone signs?
The province established the deadline when it banned speed cameras under Bill 56, and municipalities were provided provincial funding through a $210 million traffic-calming fund to help cover installation costs. The Ontario government has not publicly detailed specific enforcement actions for municipalities that miss the deadline, though the requirement is tied to provincial legislation. Affected municipalities have been working with the Ministry of Transportation throughout 2026 to meet the installation schedule.
Will GO Transit rush-hour service be affected by the September schedule changes?
No, Metrolinx has confirmed that rush-hour rail service on all affected lines remains unchanged. The September service reductions apply exclusively to off-peak periods, including weekday evenings and weekends on the Lakeshore West, Lakeshore East, Barrie, and Stouffville lines. Replacement GO bus service is available on routes 65, 68, and 71 during periods when trains are not operating, though buses are subject to road traffic conditions.
Fact-Checked: All information in this article has been verified against official sources as of September 5, 2026, including the TTC’s official September 2026 fare-capping update, Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act regulations and related Bill 60 and Bill 97 amendments, the Ontario government’s postsecondary funding and OSAP changes, the Ministry of Education’s Growing Success assessment and evaluation framework, the Ontario Newsroom’s highway speed-limit expansion announcement, Ontario’s medical-school admissions legislation, Metrolinx’s September GO rail and bus service changes and new GO Transit and UP Express fare-evasion fine schedule, the Ontario government’s September primary-care expansion, and the province’s school-zone speed-camera replacement framework.
Disclaimer: This article is published by Immigration News Canada for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Policies, programs, and regulations described in this article are subject to change. Readers should consult official Ontario government sources, their local municipality, or a qualified professional for guidance specific to their individual circumstances.
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