Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)
In Canada’s immigration department, new data indicate a significant increase in hiring. However, the processing continues to be slow. The operational capacity of Canada’s immigration department, IRCC has increased by 45 per cent from pre-pandemic levels, according to never-before-published data.
Canada has already received nearly as many applications for temporary and permanent residents as it did in 2019 before the pandemic in only eight months of 2022.
After a two-year slowdown, the country’s immigration system is already operating 45 percent above capacity in 2019. As a result, the number of applications for permanent and temporary residents processed through the system is expected to surpass the 3.2 million recorded last year before the pandemic.
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IRCC increased workforce, yet processing times continue to grow
Unprecedented data shows that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada now employs 8,104 front-line operations employees, up from 5,583 in March 2019, with the majority of the new employees hired since the start of 2022. This is true even if the number of employees on leave increased gradually from 559 in March 2019 to 733 in October.
Additionally, the number of workers who continued to telework decreased from about 100 per cent at the start of the pandemic to 71.8 per cent last month.
Richard Kurland, an immigration attorney and policy analyst, says more employees can process more files. As a result, it should lead to higher volumes of decisions when combined with the artificial intelligence decision-making system.
“You are using the A.I. to do the strenuous labour. Now that the files that require human contact are on track and heading in the correct direction, you have more people to handle them.
However, Immigration officials would prefer to see the following numbers in check, though:
- Web forms have become the primary method for applicants to contact the department, increasing from 1.61 million in 2020 to 2.26 million in 2021 and 2.42 million as of September this year;
- Another important inquiry tool is access-to-information requests, which increased from 98,042 before the pandemic to 204,549 in 2021 before falling to 122,016 so far this year;
- By 2022, there will have been 963 lawsuits filed against the immigration department, up from just 112 in 2019. These lawsuits sought a court order compelling authorities to process files.
Therefore, not all critics agree that the immigration system has stabilized.
Lack of clarity for the reasons for processing delays
Vancouver immigration attorney Steven Meurrens questioned why there were still backlogs despite having 45 percent more employees processing applications. He says he is confused why processing times “keep getting worse” in multiple programs and certain visa offices.
Further, he questioned if there are bugs with new technology or if certain visa postings have I.T. issues. Or other Technology-related concerns due to working from home. Unfortunately, since the department won’t reveal, it isn’t easy to deduce what’s happening from the statistics.
According to Ravi Jain of the Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association, the department’s increased staffing levels did not correspond to the enormous delay in how people were experiencing the online immigration system. He wants a royal commission to investigate the backlogs and delays in immigration.
In my opinion, they weren’t really doing much, says Jain. But nevertheless, they cannot get away with this. Because it’s harming individuals in so many ways, it just seems “criminal” to me, said Jain.
Through the main immigration programs, Canada had received more than 2.9 million new applications for permanent and temporary residents as of August 31. Those figures will undoubtedly raise the total above the 3.2 million files in 2019, with four months left in 2022.
In comparison to the total of 3,225,130 (235,257 permanent and 2.99 million temporary residents) reported in 2019, immigration officers processed 2.25 million immigration petitions throughout the time period—207,590 permanent and 2.04 million temporary immigrants.
Source: Toronto Star
- New Canada Benefit Payments Still Coming In August 2026
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)The final week of August 2026 is delivering one of the busiest stretches of benefit payments in the entire month for millions of Canadians from coast to coast.
Federal pensions, provincial disability support, and income assistance programs are all scheduled to deposit between August 25 and August 31, putting a combined total of billions of dollars into Canadian bank accounts before September arrives.
Service Canada will issue CPP, OAS, GIS, and Allowance payments on August 27, continuing the quarterly rates from the 1.2% OAS increase that took effect in July.
This is the eighth month under the 2% annual CPP indexation that began in January, and the second month at the elevated July-to-September 2026 OAS rates.
Provincial governments across Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island are also issuing disability and income assistance payments this week.
Earlier in August, the Canada Child Benefit and Ontario Trillium Benefit were already delivered through the CRA, while Service Canada issued the Canada Disability Benefit on August 20.
This article focuses on the major federal and provincial benefit payments with published payment dates still scheduled before August ends, including exact dates, current maximum amounts, how those maximums are calculated, and the remaining payment dates through December 2026.
Table of Contents
CPP Payments
The next Canada Pension Plan payment is confirmed for Thursday, August 27, 2026, verified against the official benefits payment calendar published by the Government of Canada.
CPP amounts for 2026 reflect a 2% annual indexation that took effect with the January 28 deposit and applies to every monthly payment throughout the calendar year.
This indexation was calculated by comparing the average Consumer Price Index for the 12 months ending October 2025 against the same period one year earlier.
Unlike OAS, which adjusts quarterly, CPP adjusts only once each January.
Maximum New CPP Benefit Amounts Beginning January 2026
CPP Benefit Type Maximum Monthly Amount Retirement pension (starting at age 65) $1,507.65 Disability benefit $1,741.20 Survivor’s pension (age 65 and older) $904.59 Survivor’s pension (under age 65) $803.54 Children’s benefit $307.81 Post-retirement benefit (at age 65) $54.69 Death benefit (one-time lump sum, up to $5,000 in limited cases) $2,500 Source: Government of Canada CPP pensions and benefits monthly amounts These are the published maximums for new benefits beginning in January 2026, though maximum new-benefit amounts can increase during the year as the CPP enhancement phases in.
The $1,507.65 maximum applies only to individuals who begin a new CPP retirement pension at age 65 with a full contribution history at the maximum pensionable earnings level for approximately 39 years.
Most Canadians receive closer to the $877.01 average for new beneficiaries at age 65 because contribution gaps from school, unemployment, caregiving, or part-time work reduce the calculated amount.
The Year’s Maximum Pensionable Earnings for 2026 is $74,600, and the Year’s Additional Maximum Pensionable Earnings sits at $85,000 for the CPP2 second additional contribution tier.
Workers earning above $74,600 also contribute to CPP2, which will eventually increase future benefit amounts as the enhancement continues phasing in.
Remaining CPP Payment Dates In 2026
Payment Date Notes September 25, 2026 Ninth month at 2% indexed rate October 28, 2026 Tenth month at 2% indexed rate November 26, 2026 Eleventh month at 2% indexed rate December 22, 2026 Early December deposit before holidays OAS, GIS, And Allowance Payments
The next OAS deposit arrives on Thursday, August 27, 2026, on the same day as CPP, reflecting the July-to-September 2026 quarterly rates confirmed by the Government of Canada.
OAS benefits are adjusted quarterly in January, April, July, and October to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index.
The 1.2% July increase followed a 0.3% January adjustment and a 0.1% April adjustment, and was the largest quarterly increase at the time it was applied.
The Government of Canada has already confirmed a 1.4% increase for the October-to-December 2026 quarter, which will push OAS and GIS rates even higher starting with the October 28 deposit.
Maximum OAS And GIS Amounts For July To September 2026
Benefit Maximum Monthly Amount Key Eligibility OAS pension (age 65 to 74) $751.97 40 years Canadian residence after age 18 OAS pension (age 75 and older) $827.17 Includes 10% enhancement since July 2022 GIS (single, widowed, or divorced) $1,123.17 Annual income below $22,800 excl. OAS GIS (spouse receives full OAS) $676.09 Combined income below $30,096 Allowance (age 60 to 64) $1,428.06 Spouse receives OAS and GIS Allowance for the Survivor $1,702.34 Widowed, age 60 to 64, income below $30,696 A single senior aged 65 to 74 with no other income could receive a combined OAS and GIS payment of approximately $1,875.14 per month ($751.97 plus $1,123.17).
A single senior aged 75 and older with no other income could receive approximately $1,950.34 per month ($827.17 plus $1,123.17), representing the highest combined monthly amount the program has reached.
For a single recipient, GIS generally declines as countable income rises, with the supplement reaching zero once annual income other than OAS exceeds $22,800. The exact reduction rate and income threshold vary by marital situation, and employment or self-employment earnings receive partial exemption treatment in the calculation.
Published OAS rates do not decrease solely because the CPI falls, though an individual’s payment can still change due to income, residency, or eligibility factors.
The OAS recovery tax begins when 2025 net world income exceeds $93,454 for the July 2026 to June 2027 repayment period.
Remaining OAS, GIS, And Allowance Payment Dates In 2026
Payment Date Quarterly Rate Period September 25, 2026 July to September 2026 rates (1.2% increase) October 28, 2026 October to December 2026 rates (1.4% increase) November 26, 2026 October to December 2026 rates December 22, 2026 October to December 2026 rates All The Provincial Benefit Payments In August 2026
ODSP Payments For Ontarians
The next ODSP payment is confirmed for Monday, August 31, 2026, the last business day of the month.
This is the second ODSP payment at the higher rates following the 1.9% inflation-based adjustment that took effect on July 1, 2026.
The 1.9% increase pushed the single-person maximum to $1,436 per month in combined basic needs and shelter support.
Ontario has formally exempted the federal Canada Disability Benefit from ODSP income calculations, meaning eligible recipients can collect both the maximum $204.20 CDB and full ODSP without any provincial reduction.
A single ODSP recipient who also qualifies for the maximum CDB can receive up to $1,640.20 per month from those two programs combined.
Ontario Works recipients will also receive their payment on August 31, covering September 2026 living expenses under the standard provincial schedule.
A single person on Ontario Works receives up to $733 per month at maximum, and Ontario Works rates have remained frozen since 2018, with no inflation indexation applied.
Ontario Works families with children may also receive the Ontario Child Benefit separately, which adds up to $1,759.92 per child per year through the CRA.
ODSP and Ontario Works payment dates are published by the Ontario government on the official Ontario Disability Support Program page, while federal benefits follow separate federal payment calendars.
Recipients should bookmark their MyBenefits account to track individual payment status and confirm deposit amounts before each scheduled date.
British Columbia Income And Disability Assistance
B.C.’s income and disability assistance payment for September 2026 is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
A single person with the Persons with Disabilities designation receives up to $1,483.50 per month, combining the support allowance and shelter allowance into one deposit.
B.C. maintains an Annual Earnings Exemption of $16,200 for single PWD recipients, and employment income up to that amount does not reduce provincial benefits.
B.C. has confirmed that federal Canada Disability Benefit payments are fully exempt from PWD income calculations, allowing recipients to collect both without any reduction.
A single PWD recipient also receiving the maximum $204.20 CDB can collect up to $1,687.70 per month from provincial and federal disability support combined.
Recipients can verify their payment information through the My Self Serve portal or by calling the Ministry phone line at 1-866-866-0800.
Alberta’s AISH, ADAP, Income Support, And ACFB
Alberta’s next AISH, ADAP, and Income Support payment is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, 2026, covering the September 2026 assistance period.
AISH payments are issued four business days before the first of each month, covering the following month’s living expenses.
The maximum monthly AISH living allowance remains $1,940 for a single recipient.
In July 2026, existing AISH clients transitioned to the Alberta Disability Assistance Program, commonly known as ADAP, except for specified groups that remained on AISH unless they chose ADAP.
ADAP provides $1,740 per month as the base rate, and clients who transitioned from AISH receive a $200 monthly transition benefit that maintains their payments at the $1,940 level through December 31, 2027.
AISH and ADAP child benefit rates are $300 for the first child, $117 for the second, $88 for the third, $59 for the fourth, and $30 for each additional child.
Starting with the August 2026 benefit period, households where two adults both receive disability income assistance will each receive 88% of the maximum individual benefit.
Alberta claws back CDB payments dollar-for-dollar from AISH and ADAP, meaning the federal $204.20 CDB does not result in additional net income for Alberta disability recipients.
The Alberta Child and Family Benefit will also issue its next quarterly payment on August 27 at the newly indexed rates, administered by the CRA on behalf of Alberta.
Recipients can verify their payment information through the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992 or through their local AISH office.
Manitoba’s Employment And Income Assistance
Manitoba’s Employment and Income Assistance direct deposit payment is scheduled for Thursday, August 27, 2026.
EIA provides financial assistance for basic needs and shelter to eligible Manitoba residents who are unable to meet their essential living costs through employment or other sources.
The program serves both general assistance recipients and persons with disabilities, with higher rates available for those assessed as having a disability.
Manitoba has confirmed that federal Canada Disability Benefit payments are exempt from EIA income calculations for eligible recipients.
Recipients who receive payments by cheque should allow additional processing time beyond the August 27 direct deposit date.
Saskatchewan’s SIS And SAID
Saskatchewan direct deposits for the Saskatchewan Income Support and Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability programs are scheduled for Friday, August 28, 2026.
SAID provides higher income support for eligible residents with significant and enduring disabilities, while SIS covers eligible residents who need help with basic living costs.
Mailed cheques are typically sent several business days before the direct deposit date to allow for postal delivery time.
Recipients should confirm their account details through the provincial online portal or contact their local office if their payment has not arrived within two business days.
Nova Scotia’s Income Assistance
Nova Scotia Income Assistance payments for September 2026 are expected to arrive between August 27 and August 31, 2026.
The exact deposit date within this window depends on whether recipients use direct deposit or receive payments by cheque.
Nova Scotia Income Assistance supports eligible residents who need financial help to cover basic needs including food, shelter, and personal expenses.
Recipients should contact their local Department of Community Services office if their payment has not arrived by the end of the expected window.
Newfoundland And Labrador’s Disability Benefit
The next Newfoundland and Labrador Disability Benefit payment is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, 2026, making it the earliest provincial payment in this final August stretch.
The NLDB provides up to $400 per month, which works out to $4,800 annually, for eligible residents aged 18 to 64 who hold a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate on file with the CRA.
The full $400 per month is paid when adjusted family net income is below $29,402. A partial benefit is available from $29,402 to $42,404 for an individual or a couple where one person qualifies for the DTC, and up to $55,404 where both members of a couple qualify.
In families where both spouses qualify for the DTC, each partner can receive the NLDB, but the combined household benefit of $800 per month applies only when income is low enough to support the full amount for both recipients.
The NLDB is fully funded by the provincial government but administered and paid through the CRA. No separate application is required beyond holding a valid DTC certificate and filing your income tax return.
PEI Social Programs
PEI Social Programs payments for September 2026 are scheduled for Monday, August 31, 2026, covering the following month’s living expenses.
PEI’s social assistance program provides financial support for basic needs to eligible Island residents who are unable to meet their essential costs through other means.
Recipients receiving payments by direct deposit should see funds arrive on the morning of August 31, while cheque recipients should allow standard postal delivery time.
Summary Of Remaining August 2026 Benefit Payments
Date Benefit Program Administered By August 25 Newfoundland and Labrador Disability Benefit Provincial (paid by CRA) August 26 Alberta AISH, ADAP & Income Support Provincial (Alberta) August 26 B.C. Income Assistance & Disability Assistance Provincial (B.C.) August 27 CPP Retirement, Disability, Survivor & Children’s Benefits Federal (Service Canada) August 27 OAS, GIS, Allowance & Allowance for Survivor Federal (Service Canada) August 27 Alberta Child and Family Benefit Provincial (paid by CRA) August 27 Manitoba EIA (direct deposit) Provincial (Manitoba) August 27–31 Nova Scotia Income Assistance Provincial (Nova Scotia) August 28 Saskatchewan SIS & SAID (direct deposit) Provincial (Saskatchewan) August 31 Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) Provincial (Ontario) August 31 Ontario Works (September benefit) Provincial (Ontario) August 31 PEI Social Programs (September benefit) Provincial (PEI) Direct deposit recipients will typically see funds in their bank accounts on the morning of each scheduled date listed above.
Canadians who receive payments by cheque should allow five to ten additional business days for mail delivery after each official date.
How To Verify Your Payment Amounts Before Each Deposit
Filing your 2025 income tax return was the single most important step for the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year.
For income-tested tax-based benefits calculated using 2025 income, including the CCB, CDB, OTB, CGEB, ACWB, and NLDB, an unassessed return is the most common cause of paused or reduced payments.
CRA-administered benefits including the CCB, OTB, CGEB, ACWB, and NLDB can all be reviewed through CRA My Account.
Service Canada payments, including CPP, OAS, GIS, the CDB, and the Allowances, can be reviewed through My Service Canada Account.
Provincial disability recipients should check their respective portals: MyBenefits for ODSP in Ontario, My Self Serve for B.C., or the Alberta Supports Contact Centre for AISH and ADAP.
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit and the Advanced Canada Workers Benefit do not have scheduled payments in August.
The next CGEB quarterly deposit lands on October 5, 2026, and the next ACWB advance payment arrives on October 9, 2026, as confirmed in our ACWB payment increase guide.
OAS rates will increase again for the October-to-December 2026 quarter, with the Government of Canada already confirming a 1.4% adjustment that represents the largest quarterly increase of the year.
The first payment at October-to-December rates will arrive on October 28, 2026, applying to OAS, GIS, the Allowance, and the Allowance for the Survivor.
Eligible CDB recipients will receive a one-time supplemental payment of $150 starting in September 2026, designed to help offset the cost of obtaining a Disability Tax Credit certification.
The next Canada Child Benefit deposit is September 18, 2026, continuing the 2% indexed rates that took effect in July with maximums of $679.75 per month for children under six and $573.58 for children aged six to 17.
Mark August 25, 26, 27, 28, and 31 on your calendar to track every remaining benefit payment this month.
Verify your payment amounts through CRA My Account or My Service Canada Account before each deposit date to confirm your calculations match expectations.
If a payment does not arrive on its scheduled date, allow normal processing time before contacting the administering agency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I receive CPP and OAS on the same day?
Yes, CPP and OAS are separate programs that deposit on the same monthly date, and most Canadian seniors receive both on August 27, 2026.
CPP is based on employment contributions during your working years, while OAS is based on years of Canadian residence after age 18, as detailed in our July 2026 benefit payments guide.
Will the October 2026 OAS increase apply to GIS as well?
Yes, the confirmed 1.4% quarterly adjustment for October-to-December 2026 applies to all OAS benefit categories, including the basic pension, GIS, the Allowance, and the Allowance for the Survivor.
The first payment at the higher rates will arrive on October 28, 2026.
Does the Canada Disability Benefit reduce my provincial disability payments?
Treatment varies by province. Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba exempt the CDB from relevant provincial income-assistance calculations, while Alberta treats the CDB as non-exempt income and deducts it dollar-for-dollar from AISH and ADAP.
Check with your province or territory to confirm how the CDB is treated under your specific income assistance program before assuming full stacking.
Why is there no CGEB or ACWB payment in August 2026?
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit follows a quarterly schedule with the next deposit on October 5, 2026, while the Advanced Canada Workers Benefit pays three times per year with the next installment on October 9, 2026.
Both programs are administered by the CRA, and eligibility is determined automatically from your most recent income tax return.
What should I do if my benefit payment does not arrive on the scheduled date?
For CRA-administered benefits, the CRA advises waiting five working days for the CCB and ACFB, but ten working days for programs such as the OTB, CGEB, ACWB, and NLDB. For Service Canada payments including CPP, OAS, and CDB, allow several business days before calling.
Check with your bank first to confirm there are no processing delays, and then log into CRA My Account or My Service Canada Account to verify your payment status and banking details.
Fact-Checked: All payment dates, benefit amounts, indexation rates, income thresholds, and eligibility information in this article are verified against official Government of Canada sources, including the canada.ca benefits payment calendar, the OAS payment amounts page, the CPP and OAS monthly amounts page, and published provincial government payment schedules as of August 2026.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Contact Service Canada, the CRA, or a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
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- New US Visa Early Appointments Now Available Across Canada
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)The United States Department of State has launched a paid expedited US visa appointment option at the U.S. Embassy and all U.S. consulates in Canada.
Starting August 18, 2026, eligible applicants for B-category visitor and business visas can now pay an additional fee to schedule a consular interview within 10 business days, subject to availability.
The program is voluntary, optional, and separate from the standard visa application process that every applicant must still complete.
Canada is one of six participating locations or missions currently listed in the pilot, which runs through December 31, 2026.
This announcement arrives at a time when travel rules between Canada and the United States have been evolving rapidly throughout 2026.
Here is a complete breakdown of what the expedited appointment costs, who qualifies, how the booking process works, and what applicants in Canada need to know before deciding whether to pay.
Table of Contents
What Is the U.S. Visa Expedited Appointment Pilot
The U.S. Department of State is testing a nonimmigrant visa expedited appointment program at select U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide.
The pilot allows eligible B visa applicants to pay US$750 per appointment on top of the standard US$185 MRV application fee.
In exchange, the applicant gains access to schedule a consular interview within the next 10 business days, subject to availability.
The program does not change how applications are evaluated or how security screening is conducted.
Every applicant who pays the expedited fee still undergoes the same rigorous vetting that applies to all U.S. visa applications.
Paying the fee secures an earlier appointment only and does not guarantee that a visa will be approved.
The pilot is set to run through December 31, 2026, and the Department of State may add more locations during that period according to the official announcement on travel.state.gov.
Which Locations Are Participating in the Pilot
Six participating missions or embassy locations are currently listed in the expedited appointment pilot, with launch dates confirmed by the Department of State.
- Mission Canada, which includes the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa and all consulates, launched on August 18, 2026.
- Embassy Bogota in Colombia also launched on August 18, 2026.
- Embassy Guatemala City in Guatemala launched on the same date.
- Embassy San Jose in Costa Rica launched on August 18, 2026, as well.
- Embassy Tegucigalpa in Honduras launched alongside the other four new locations on that date.
- Mission Mexico, which includes the embassy and all consulates, was the first location to launch the pilot on July 21, 2026, nearly a month before Canada joined the program.
The Department of State has indicated that additional pilot locations may be announced throughout the testing period.
How Much the Expedited Appointment Costs
The expedited appointment fee is US$750 per applicant, charged in addition to the standard US$185 MRV nonimmigrant visa application fee.
This means the total minimum cost for an expedited B visa appointment in Canada is US$935 before any other expenses.
The US$750 fee is per person, so a family of four applying together would pay US$3,000 in expedited fees plus US$740 in standard MRV fees for a combined total of US$3,740.
The system does allow group applicants to separate their booking so that only some members pay the expedited fee.
The expedited appointment fee is not refundable under any circumstances, including visa refusal.
If an applicant misses the expedited appointment, the fee is forfeited entirely with no option to reschedule.
Payment must be completed within 10 minutes of selecting an expedited appointment slot, or the reservation expires.
Who Qualifies for the Paid Expedite Option
The expedited appointment option is currently limited to applicants applying for B visas, which cover tourist and business travel to the United States.
Applicants must first complete the standard process of paying the US$185 MRV fee and scheduling a regular interview appointment at a participating post.
Only applicants who already hold a future interview appointment and have an unexpired MRV fee receipt can access the Paid Expedite option.
The option appears inside the applicant’s online scheduling account under a tab labelled “Request Expedite” followed by “Paid Expedite.”
If the Paid Expedite option does not appear, the program may not be available at that location, expedited slots may not currently be available, or the applicant may not meet all eligibility criteria.
Applicants who were denied a regular emergency appointment request can still access the Paid Expedite if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Renewal applicants who qualify for the interview waiver process cannot use the Paid Expedite because they do not have a scheduled interview.
How To Book an Expedited Appointment in Canada
The booking process begins with the standard visa application steps that every B visa applicant must follow.
First, the applicant completes the DS-160 online nonimmigrant visa application form and receives a confirmation page.
Next, the applicant pays the US$185 MRV fee and schedules a regular interview appointment at a U.S. consular post in Canada.
After the regular appointment is confirmed, the applicant signs into their scheduling account and clicks “Continue.”
The applicant then selects “Request Expedite” and looks for the “Paid Expedite” option on the next screen.
If expedited appointments are available, a list of open dates and times within the next 10 business days will appear.
The applicant selects one slot and must complete the US$750 payment within 10 minutes to lock in the appointment.
Once confirmed, the expedited appointment date and time cannot be changed, which makes it essential to choose carefully before paying.
Applicants who secure an expedited appointment may also select one of the premium passport delivery options at no additional cost, if available.
What the Expedited Appointment Does Not Guarantee
The Department of State has emphasized multiple times that the US$750 fee purchases an earlier interview slot and nothing more.
Paying the expedited fee does not guarantee that a visa will be issued at the interview.
Every applicant must still demonstrate eligibility to the consular officer under U.S. immigration law, regardless of what they paid.
The same thorough screening and vetting process applies to expedited applicants as it does to everyone in the regular queue.
If the visa is refused, the US$750 expedited fee is not refundable and cannot be transferred to another application.
This distinction matters for applicants who may assume that paying a premium fee signals preferential treatment during the adjudication process.
The Department of State has framed the pilot as a tool for managing appointment demand rather than a priority processing lane.
Strict Cancellation and No-Show Rules Apply
Expedited appointments come with significantly stricter rules than standard appointment bookings.
Once an expedited appointment is scheduled, it cannot be rescheduled to a different date or time.
If an applicant misses a Paid Expedite appointment and the MRV fee was paid less than one year ago, they may be able to reschedule into a regular appointment slot without paying another MRV fee.
To schedule another Paid Expedite appointment after a missed one, another US$750 expedited fee is required.
Cancelling a Paid Expedite appointment also forfeits the expedited fee entirely.
In both cases, the US$750 is non-refundable and non-transferable regardless of the reason for the cancellation or absence.
These rigid policies make it critical for applicants to confirm their travel plans, gather all required documentation, and verify their availability before committing.
Why the Pilot Launch Matters for Applicants in Canada
The Department of State has not publicly stated why Canada was selected for the pilot.
However, the launch comes while regular B1/B2 appointment waits at several Canadian consular posts remain exceptionally long.
As of the Department of State’s August 17 update on global visa wait times, the next available B1/B2 appointment was approximately 24 months away in Toronto, 16 months in Vancouver, and 13.5 months in Ottawa.
A paid appointment potentially within 10 business days compared to a regular next-available appointment listed at 24 months in Toronto illustrates the scale of the gap this pilot addresses.
Canadian citizens generally do not need a U.S. nonimmigrant visa for tourism or temporary business travel, although certain purposes of travel still require a visa according to the State Department’s guidance for citizens of Canada and Bermuda.
This exemption is separate from the U.S. Visa Waiver Program and applies specifically to Canadian and Bermudian nationals.
However, permanent residents of Canada who hold passports from visa-required countries must still apply for a U.S. B visa through the standard consular process.
International students, temporary foreign workers, and other temporary residents in Canada also frequently require U.S. visitor visas for cross-border travel.
The demand for appointments at U.S. consular posts in Canada has been especially high throughout 2026, with multiple policy changes affecting border crossing procedures and documentation requirements.
For eligible applicants who need to travel sooner, the US$750 option can provide access to an appointment within the next 10 business days when Paid Expedite slots are available.
The option may be particularly useful for applicants with time-sensitive travel that does not meet the regular emergency-appointment criteria, as well as eligible applicants whose emergency appointment requests were denied.
Applicants should weigh the US$750 cost against the urgency of their travel and the likelihood of securing a regular appointment within their needed timeline.
Those without urgent travel needs may prefer to wait for standard appointment availability, especially given the strict no-refund and no-reschedule policies attached to the expedited option.
How To Succeed With the Paid Expedite Application
Preparation is essential because the 10-minute payment window and no-reschedule policy leave zero room for error during the booking process.
Complete and submit the DS-160 form accurately before attempting to schedule any appointment, since errors on the form can delay the interview itself.
Pay the US$185 MRV fee and schedule a regular appointment first, because the Paid Expedite option only becomes visible after this step.
Have your payment method ready before clicking on the expedited appointment screen, since you have only 10 minutes to finalize.
Choose a date and time you are absolutely certain you can attend, because the appointment cannot be moved once confirmed.
Follow the document instructions provided by the U.S. embassy or consulate handling your application.
Additional evidence may be requested regarding the purpose of your trip, your intent to depart the United States after the visit, and your ability to cover your travel costs.
Remember that the consular officer evaluates your case on its merits, and the expedited fee has no bearing on the outcome.
If your visa is refused, you forfeit the US$750 with no appeal of the fee itself, though you may reapply for a visa under standard procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can Canadian citizens use the expedited appointment pilot?
Canadian citizens generally do not need a U.S. visa for tourism or business travel under a separate exemption from the nonimmigrant visa requirement, as outlined in the State Department’s guidance for citizens of Canada and Bermuda. The Paid Expedite option applies specifically to B visa applicants, which typically means permanent residents or temporary residents in Canada who hold passports from visa-required countries.
Is the US$750 expedited fee refunded if my visa is denied?
No, the expedited appointment fee is non-refundable under all circumstances, including visa refusal, cancellation, or a missed appointment. The fee covers the scheduling of an earlier interview only and is completely separate from the visa adjudication decision.
Can I reschedule my Paid Expedite appointment to a different day?
No, paid expedited appointments can only be scheduled once and cannot be rescheduled or changed after confirmation. If you cancel or miss the appointment, you forfeit the US$750 fee and must pay again if you want another expedited slot.
Does paying for the expedited appointment improve my chances of getting a visa?
No, the fee only moves the interview date forward and has no effect on how the consular officer evaluates the application. All applicants undergo the same security screening and eligibility review regardless of whether they booked a standard or expedited appointment.
How long will the expedited appointment pilot run in Canada?
The pilot is scheduled to run through December 31, 2026, at all U.S. consular posts in Canada. The Department of State has not announced whether the program will be extended, made permanent, or expanded to additional visa categories beyond B visas after the pilot period ends.
Fact-Checked: All information in this article has been verified against the official U.S. Department of State announcement published on travel.state.gov as of August 18, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is published by Immigration News Canada for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice; consult a licensed immigration professional for guidance specific to your situation.
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- New CRA Rule For Disability Tax Credit Coming In September 2026
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced a major change to the Disability Tax Credit application process that takes effect on September 8, 2026.
Starting on that date, versions of Form T2201 from before 2023 will no longer be accepted by the CRA for any new DTC applications.
Canadians who submit a pre-2023 version of the form after the September 8 cutoff will have their application not accepted and will need to submit a new one.
This rule was published in the official tax tips bulletin on June 16, 2026, alongside a second change that restricts how applicants can upload DTC documents through their online CRA account.
Both changes are designed to speed up processing times and reduce the number of incomplete or outdated submissions clogging the system.
These updates arrive at a critical moment because the DTC certificate is a mandatory gateway to several federal programs that millions of Canadians depend on for monthly income support.
Table of Contents
What Changes On September 8, 2026
The revenue agency will stop accepting any version of Form T2201 that was published before 2023.
This means applicants who use a pre-2023 version after the cutoff will have their form not accepted and will need to submit a new application using the current version.
They will then need to download the latest version of Form T2201 from the official canada.ca website, have their medical practitioner complete and sign the form again, and resubmit the entire package.
The latest version includes updated sections that meet current requirements, which is why the agency is phasing out older editions.
Older versions lack these updated fields, which is why the CRA has set a firm cutoff date to phase them out entirely.
CRA Restricts DTC Uploads Through Online Accounts
A second change took effect even earlier, on July 14, 2026, and applies to the Submit Documents feature inside CRA My Account.
Starting on that date, Canadians can no longer use the Submit Documents section to upload new DTC applications or supporting documents on their own initiative.
The Submit Documents portal is now reserved exclusively for situations where the CRA contacts you directly and requests additional information about an existing case.
If the agency needs more details to process your application, it will send a letter through your online account or by mail with a specific case reference number.
That case reference number must be included when you respond through the Submit Documents section, so they can match your response to your existing file.
This restriction means that anyone who had been uploading new DTC applications through the Submit Documents portal will need to switch to the dedicated online DTC application form or submit a paper application by mail instead.
How To Apply Using The Online DTC Form
The CRA strongly recommends using the online DTC application form through My Account because digital submissions are processed faster than paper applications.
The online form automatically uses the latest version, which eliminates any risk of submitting an outdated form that could be rejected after September 8.
It also prevents applicants from accidentally skipping required sections by guiding them through each part of the application step by step.
Both the applicant and their medical practitioner can access the form directly online, which removes the need to print, sign, scan, and mail physical documents.
Canadians who apply online can track the status of their application through their account and receive updates electronically instead of waiting for a letter in the mail.
The Disability Tax Credit web page provides step-by-step instructions for using the digital form.
Paper Applications Still Accepted With The Latest Form
Canadians who prefer to apply by mail can still submit a paper version of Form T2201, but only if they use the 2023 version or a more recent edition.
The latest version is available as a free download from the official canada.ca forms page.
Once the form is fully completed and signed by both the applicant and a qualified medical practitioner, it must be mailed to the nearest tax centre for processing.
Processing times for paper applications typically run longer than digital submissions, so applicants who need their DTC certificate quickly should consider the online option.
Anyone who has already submitted a paper application on an older form before September 8 should not be affected, as the cutoff applies to submissions received after that date.
Why The DTC Certificate Matters For Benefits
A valid DTC certificate is the mandatory entry point for several federal benefit programs that provide monthly income support.
The Canada Disability Benefit requires an approved DTC certificate before any payments can begin, and eligible recipients can currently receive up to $204.20 per month.
A separate one-time supplemental payment of $150 has been confirmed for September 2026 to help offset the cost of obtaining a DTC certificate in the first place.
The Child Disability Benefit, which provides up to $3,480 per year for families with a child who qualifies, also requires a valid DTC certificate on file.
The Registered Disability Savings Plan is another program that depends on DTC approval, offering long-term savings and government matching contributions for eligible Canadians.
In Ontario alone, a successful DTC applicant could receive a combined federal and provincial tax reduction worth hundreds of dollars per year, with the exact amount depending on your taxable income and applicable provincial rates.
Statistics Canada’s Canadian Survey on Disability identified about eight million Canadians aged 15 and older with a disability, and approximately 84% of them did not claim the DTC or receive CPP/QPP disability benefits.
The federal government has backed its reform commitment with $42.5 million in new funding over five years to improve the application experience.
Key Dates To Mark On Your Calendar
July 14, 2026, was the date when the Submit Documents section in My Account stopped accepting voluntary DTC uploads.
September 8, 2026, is the hard deadline after which Form T2201 versions from before 2023 will no longer be accepted.
The next CDB payment after the September 8 cutoff is scheduled for September 17, 2026, which is the third Thursday of the month.
The Canadian benefit payments in August 2026 are already landing in bank accounts under the new 2026-27 benefit year amounts, making timely DTC approval more important than ever.
How To Succeed With Your DTC Application
Download the latest version of Form T2201 from the official canada.ca page or use the online application through your My Account before September 8.
Ask your medical practitioner to complete Part B of the form as thoroughly as possible, because incomplete medical sections are one of the most common reasons for DTC application delays.
Do not use the Submit Documents section in your account to upload a new DTC application, as the system will reject it.
File your 2025 income tax return if you have not already done so, because your tax return data is used to calculate benefit payments for the 2026-27 year.
Keep copies of all submitted documents and any correspondence from the CRA so you can respond quickly if the agency requests additional information.
The service standard is 8 weeks for DTC processing, so applying early gives you the best chance of having your certificate approved before the next round of benefit payments is calculated.
What This Means For Newcomers To Canada
Newcomers who meet the Canada Disability Benefit’s eligibility requirements, including DTC approval and the applicable 2025 tax-filing requirements, may qualify for the benefit.
Temporary residents, including work permit holders and international students, may qualify for the CDB if they have lived in Canada throughout the previous 18 months and meet all other requirements.
New permanent residents may be eligible for some benefits upon arrival, but each program has its own eligibility rules, including tax filing, residency, and age requirements.
Filing your first Canadian tax return is the most important step for newcomers because this information is used to assess eligibility for all federal and provincial benefits.
The DTC application process is the same for newcomers as it is for all other Canadian residents, but newcomers should confirm eligibility directly with the CRA or Service Canada before applying.
The September 8 deadline leaves limited time for Canadians still using older versions of Form T2201 to switch to the current edition.
Applying online through online My Account is the fastest way to avoid delays and ensure your form meets the updated requirements.
A valid DTC certificate remains the single most important document for accessing the Canada Disability Benefit and other federal disability programs.
Canadians who act before the cutoff can protect their eligibility and avoid the added cost and time of having a medical practitioner complete the form a second time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I still submit a paper DTC application after September 8, 2026?
Yes, paper applications are still accepted after September 8 as long as you use Form T2201 version 2023 or later, which is available for free download on the official canada.ca forms page.
What happens if I already submitted an older form before the deadline?
Applications submitted on older forms before September 8, 2026, should be processed normally, as the rejection rule applies only to submissions received on or after that date.
Why can I no longer upload DTC documents through the Submit Documents section?
The CRA restricted this feature starting July 14, 2026, because it was being used to submit new DTC applications, which the section was never designed to handle and which slowed down processing for everyone.
How long does the CRA take to process a DTC application?
The official service standard is eight weeks, and online submissions generally move through the system faster than paper applications mailed to a tax centre.
Do I need a DTC certificate to receive the Canada Disability Benefit?
Yes, an approved DTC certificate is mandatory for the Canada Disability Benefit, the Child Disability Benefit, and the Registered Disability Savings Plan, making it one of the most important documents for Canadians with disabilities.
Fact-check: All dates, eligibility rules, and procedural changes referenced in this article are verified against the official CRA tax tips bulletin published on canada.ca on June 16, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this information.
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- Canada’s Family Sponsorship Special Public Policy Ends Next Month
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)A special public policy that has allowed eligible Canadian permanent residents to sponsor family members to Canada they never declared on their original immigration applications is set to expire on September 10, 2026.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will stop accepting applications under this public policy for undeclared family members once the deadline passes, and there is no guarantee that the federal government will issue another extension.
Eligible sponsors who have not yet submitted their applications have about three weeks to act before this pathway closes.
The stakes are high for affected families because without this policy, a lifetime ban on sponsoring those undeclared relatives snaps back into effect under federal immigration regulations.
Table of Contents
What Is This Public Policy
Under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, anyone applying for permanent residence must declare all family members at the time of their application, even if those family members are not travelling to Canada.
The declared family members must also complete medical examinations and pass background and security checks before the principal applicant can receive permanent resident status.
If a permanent resident failed to declare a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child during their original application, paragraphs 117(9)(d) and 125(1)(d) of the Regulations impose a permanent lifetime ban on ever sponsoring that person to Canada through the family class.
Stakeholders and the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration raised serious concerns about the disproportionate impact of this lifetime bar, particularly on children who had no say in their parent’s application decisions.
In response, IRCC introduced a pilot project through a public policy on September 9, 2019, creating a temporary exemption from the lifetime sponsorship bar for eligible applicants.
A second public policy followed in September 2021 to maintain the exemption during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The current consecutive public policy took effect on September 10, 2023, signed by then-Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Marc Miller under section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
This consecutive policy carries the same eligibility criteria as its predecessors and was designed to allow the department to gather comprehensive data on the population using the exemption while considering potential amendments to immigration legislation.
The policy applies to applications IRCC receives between May 31, 2019, and September 10, 2026, covering the full span of all three consecutive policies.
Who Is Eligible To Sponsor Under This Policy
The public policy exempts specific categories of sponsors from the lifetime bar, but it does not open the door for everyone who failed to declare a family member.
To qualify, the undeclared family member must be applying to be sponsored as a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent child.
The sponsor must have originally obtained their permanent residence through one of four specific pathways.
The first eligible category covers sponsors who were admitted as Convention refugees or persons in similar circumstances under Canada’s resettlement programs.
The second covers sponsors who received permanent residence after being determined to be a protected person through Canada’s asylum and refugee protection system.
The third applies to sponsors who were themselves sponsored as a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent child under the family class.
The fourth covers sponsors who came to Canada as a sponsored spouse or common-law partner under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class.
IRCC selected these categories because they represent the most vulnerable populations affected by the sponsorship bar and pose minimal risk to program integrity.
The department’s reasoning is that undeclared family members of these sponsors would not have been subject to the excessive demand provisions on health or social services under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in most cases.
These family members would also generally not have been subject to income requirements, meaning their existence would have had limited impact on whether the sponsor’s original permanent residence application succeeded.
Who Cannot Be Sponsored Under This Policy
The policy draws a firm line against cases where the undeclared family member’s existence would have made the sponsor ineligible to immigrate to Canada under the program they originally used.
A sponsor who came to Canada as someone else’s spouse but was actually married to or in a common-law relationship with the undeclared family member at that time cannot use this policy.
A sponsor who arrived as a dependent child on a parent’s application but was married or in a common-law relationship at the time of that application is also excluded.
Sponsors who obtained permanent residence through a program that required them to be single with no dependents cannot sponsor previously undeclared family members under this policy either.
These exclusions exist because declaring the family member at the time of the original application would have disqualified the sponsor entirely, and the policy is not intended to override that fundamental eligibility barrier.
All standard admissibility requirements that are not specifically exempted by this policy continue to apply in full, including criminal inadmissibility, medical inadmissibility, and security screening.
How To Apply Before The Deadline
IRCC has confirmed that there is no separate or special application process for sponsoring undeclared family members under this public policy.
Eligible sponsors must submit their applications through the normal process to sponsor a spouse, partner, or child, and IRCC officers will determine eligibility for the public policy exemption during processing.
The critical factor is that IRCC must receive the application by September 10, 2026.
Spouse, partner and child sponsorship applications must generally be submitted online through the Permanent Residence Portal.
Paper applications are available only where IRCC approves an alternate-format request, including for applicants requiring accommodation. Standard family sponsorship fees apply.
The Right of Permanent Residence Fee increased to $600 on April 30, 2026, for applicants who are required to pay it, while dependent children are exempt from the RPRF.
Sponsors who reside in Quebec must also obtain a sponsorship undertaking from the provincial government, as that requirement is not waived by this federal public policy.
What Happens To Applications Already In Process
Applicants who have already submitted a sponsorship application for an undeclared family member do not need to take any additional action.
IRCC has confirmed that all applications pending on the day the policy expires will be processed in accordance with the public policy provisions, regardless of whether a final decision is reached before September 10.
This means that spousal sponsorship applications currently sitting in the processing queue will still receive the benefit of the exemption even if processing extends well beyond the expiry date.
Current IRCC processing times for spousal sponsorship outside Quebec stand at 17 months for outland applications and 27 months for inland applications, meaning many applications filed now will not receive a decision until 2028.
The fact that pending applications are grandfathered under the policy is significant because it removes the urgency of obtaining a decision before the deadline and shifts the focus entirely to getting the application filed in time.
What Happens If Your Previous Application Was Refused
Sponsors whose applications to sponsor undeclared family members were refused before the original policy took effect on May 31, 2019, are eligible to submit a new application under the current public policy.
This provision gives a second chance to sponsors who were previously barred under the lifetime ban and whose family members now meet the eligibility conditions of the public policy.
However, the new application must still be received by IRCC by September 10, 2026, or the sponsor will lose this opportunity.
Why The September 10 Deadline Matters
This public policy has been extended twice since its original launch in 2019, but there is no official indication from IRCC or the current immigration minister that a fourth consecutive policy will follow.
The federal government’s current immigration priorities are focused on reducing temporary resident numbers, tightening asylum processing under Bill C-12, and meeting the 380,000 annual permanent residence target under the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan.
IRCC’s own policy document states that the department intended to use this consecutive policy period to gather data on the population utilizing the exemption and to consider potential amendments to immigration legislation.
If the government concludes that a regulatory amendment to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations is warranted, the lifetime bar under paragraphs 117(9)(d) and 125(1)(d) could be permanently modified or removed.
But if no regulatory change is made and no new public policy is issued, the lifetime ban on sponsoring undeclared family members returns in full force on September 11, 2026.
The original policy document also carries a standard clause noting that this public policy may be cancelled at any time, which means the government retains the discretion to end it even before the scheduled expiry date.
How To Succeed With Your Application Before The Deadline
The single most important step is filing your complete sponsorship application by September 10, 2026.
Confirm that you meet the sponsor eligibility requirements before submitting, because an incomplete or ineligible application will be returned and may not be resubmitted in time.
Gather all required supporting documents, including proof of your original permanent residence pathway and evidence of your relationship with the undeclared family member.
For this public policy, the critical factor is the receipt date, because IRCC must receive an eligible application by September 10, 2026.
Online submission is required for these applications unless IRCC has provided an alternate application format as an accommodation.
Sponsors in Quebec should contact the provincial immigration ministry immediately to initiate the Quebec undertaking process, as that provincial requirement runs on its own timeline independent of the federal deadline.
Consider consulting a regulated Canadian immigration consultant or lawyer if you are unsure whether your specific circumstances qualify under the policy, especially given the new regulatory framework governing immigration professionals that took effect in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the deadline to apply under the undeclared family members public policy?
IRCC must receive your sponsorship application by September 10, 2026, for it to be processed under the public policy exemption.
Will IRCC extend this public policy again after September 10, 2026?
There is no official confirmation from IRCC or the immigration minister that a fourth consecutive policy will be issued, so applicants should treat September 10 as a firm deadline.
Do I need to use a special application form to sponsor an undeclared family member?
No, you apply through the standard spousal, partner, or child sponsorship process and IRCC determines public policy eligibility during processing.
What happens to my application if it is still being processed after September 10?
Applications received before the deadline will continue to be processed under the public policy provisions even if a decision is not reached until after the policy expires.
Can sponsors who obtained permanent residence through Express Entry or the Federal Skilled Worker Program use this policy?
No, the policy only applies to sponsors who received permanent residence as refugees, protected persons, or through family class sponsorship as a spouse, partner, or dependent child.
Fact-Checked: All information in this article has been verified against the official IRCC public policy document published on canada.ca, the IRCC undeclared family members guidance page, and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations as of August 20, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is published by Immigration News Canada for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration rules change frequently, so verify all requirements directly on canada.ca before applying.
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- New IRCC Processing Times As Of August 2026
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released its latest processing time data on August 19, 2026, and the headline number is impossible to ignore.
Citizenship certificate processing has now reached 25 months, climbing by another six months in a single reporting cycle, while the queue added 22,300 applicants to reach approximately 121,800 people.
That figure stood at just three months in March 2026, meaning this category has added roughly 22 months of processing time in barely five months.
On the other side of the ledger, the Federal Skilled Worker Program improved to six months for the first time this year, and the CEC queue shrank by 1,800 applicants even as the processing time held steady at six months.
The most alarming reversal in the weekly data is visitor record extensions, which spiked to 419 days, a jump of 103 days from the last week’s update and 268 days above January 28.
IRCC calculates these timelines using actual applicant outcomes, reporting the window within which 80% of applicants received a decision.
Monthly categories like citizenship, permanent residency, and family sponsorship were refreshed on August 10.
Weekly categories like visitor visas, study permits, work permits, and PR cards were last updated on August 19.
The August data arrives amid a busy month for Canadian immigration, including the opening of the Ontario Workforce Priority stream on August 4 and a new Express Entry draw cluster that began the same week.
Applicants who submit incomplete documentation remain one of the leading refusal reasons across all the immigration categories, making thorough preparation essential during these processing windows.
Below is a full breakdown of every processing time in the August 2026 release.
Table of Contents
Citizenship Processing Times (Updated monthly)
Application Type People Waiting (Change) Processing Time (August 10, 2026) Change Since Last Month Citizenship grant ~328,200 (+2,000) 12 months No change Citizenship certificate* ~121,800 (+22,300) 25 months +6 months Resumption of citizenship Not available Not enough data No change Renunciation of citizenship Not available 4 months -3 months Search of citizenship records Not available 17 months No change IRCC is currently sending acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) notices for citizenship applications that were submitted on or around March 19, 2026.
* Applicants residing outside Canada or the United States may face longer processing windows.
Permanent Resident Card Processing Times (Updated weekly)
Application Type Processing Time (August 19, 2026) Change since last week Change Since January 21 New PR card 40 days -1 day -22 days PR card renewal 41 days -1 day +12 days Family Sponsorship Processing Times (Updated monthly)
Category People Waiting (Change) Processing Time (August 10, 2026) Change Since Last Month Spouse/common-law outside Canada (non-Quebec) ~58,000 (+3,900) 17 months No change Spouse/common-law outside Canada (Quebec) ~19,000 (+400) 33 months No change Spouse/common-law inside Canada (non-Quebec) ~56,800 (-100) 27 months No change Spouse/common-law inside Canada (Quebec) ~14,000 (+300) 32 months No change Parents/grandparents (non-Quebec) ~39,000 (-1,400) 29 months -1 month Parents/grandparents (Quebec) ~10,400 (-100) 64 months -1 month Humanitarian and Compassionate And Protected Persons (Updated monthly)
Category People Waiting (Change) Processing Time (August 10, 2026) Change Since Last Month H&C outside Quebec ~55,800 (+1,300) More than 10 years No change H&C in Quebec ~20,100 (+400) More than 10 years No change Protected persons inside Canada (outside Quebec) ~92,200 (-6,100) About 13 months -1 month Protected persons inside Canada (in Quebec) ~41,900 (+1,000) More than 120 months No change Dependents of protected persons (outside Quebec) ~60,700 (-100) About 40 months +2 months Dependents of protected persons (in Quebec) ~22,400 (+300) More than 10 years No change Canadian Passport Processing Times
Application Type Current Processing Time Change New passport (in person, Canada) 10 business days No change New passport (mail, Canada) 20 business days No change Urgent pickup Next business day No change Express pickup 2–9 business days No change Passport mailed from outside Canada 20 business days No change Permanent Residency Processing Times (Updated monthly)
Category People Waiting (Change) Processing Time (August 10, 2026) Change Since Last Month Canadian Experience Class (CEC) ~59,700 (-1,800) 6 months No change Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) ~52,400 (-3,400) 6 months -1 month Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) Not available Not enough data No change PNP (Express Entry) ~11,800 (-300) 7 months No change Non-Express Entry PNP ~102,400 (-1,400) 13 months +1 month Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) ~21,200 (-1,000) 11 months No change Quebec Business Class ~3,700 (No change) 75 months No change Federal Self-Employed ~8,000 (-100) More than 10 years No change Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) ~12,100 (-200) 26 months No change Start Up Visa ~47,600 (+100) More than 10 years No change Temporary Visa Processing Times (Updated weekly)
IRCC updates temporary residence processing times on a weekly basis, and the figures below reflect data as of August 19, 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 (August 19, 2026) Change since last week Change Since January 28, 2026 India 31 days +4 days -51 days United States 21 days No change -4 days Nigeria 76 days +8 days +36 days Pakistan 75 days +27 days +19 days Philippines 21 days +5 days +5 days Visitor Visa From Inside Canada
Visitor visa applications filed from inside Canada now take 12 days, 9 days lower compared to the last week.
Visitor Record Extension
Visitor record extensions continue to remain high at 419 days, 103 days higher compared to the last week.
This dramatic spike reverses months of gradual decline in this category and signals renewed processing pressure for visitors who have applied to extend their stay in Canada.
Super Visa Processing Times
Country Processing Time (August 19, 2026) Change since last week Change Since January 28, 2026 India 56 days No change -194 days United States 138 days +12 days -49 days Nigeria 53 days +10 days +15 days Pakistan 176 days -9 days +52 days Philippines 107 days +7 days -9 days The super visa timeline for India remains 194 days below its January 2026 level, continuing the strongest sustained improvement in any temporary category this year.
Study Permit Processing Times
Country Processing Time (August 19, 2026) Change since last week Change Since January 28, 2026 India 5 weeks No change No change United States 5 weeks No change No change Nigeria 9 weeks +2 weeks +4 weeks Pakistan 7 weeks No change +3 weeks Philippines 4 weeks -1 week -1 week Study Permit From Inside Canada: Inland study permit applications take 7 weeks; no change since the last week.
Study Permit Extension: Study permit extensions now take 64 days, 6 days lower when compared to the last update and 40 days less than January 28, 2026.
Work Permit Processing Times
Country Processing Time (August 19, 2026) Change Since July 23, 2026 Change Since January 28, 2026 India 9 weeks No change No change United States 2 weeks -1 week -1 week Nigeria 9 weeks +2 weeks +2 weeks Pakistan 7 weeks -18 weeks -13 weeks Philippines 6 weeks No change No change Work Permit From Inside Canada (Initial and Extension): Inland work permits, including extensions, have dropped to 117 days, 2 days lower than the last week, 89 days fewer than the May 20 update, 135 days below March 31, and 119 days below January 28, 2026.
The sustained decline in this category continues to be one of the most significant positive trends in the 2026 processing data.
Other Work Permit Categories
The Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program is now at 94 days, 23 days higher than the last week and 83 days higher than the May 20 update.
International Experience Canada (IEC) work permits sit at 7 weeks, no change since the last week, but 4 weeks above March 31.
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) approvals continue to arrive within roughly 5 minutes for most travellers, with up to 72 hours required for applicants flagged for additional screening.
The August 2026 IRCC processing times paint a system making steady gains in economic immigration while citizenship certificate processing spirals further out of control.
Inland work permits at 117 days, FSWP improving to six months, CEC queues shrinking, and parents and grandparents sponsorship declining for the fourth straight month are all encouraging signs that IRCC is clearing backlogs in targeted categories.
However, the 419-day visitor record extension spike and the citizenship certificate queue approaching 122,000 applicants suggest that capacity constraints are deepening in several high-volume streams, a pattern that first emerged in the May data and has accelerated since.
August also brings a new CRA benefit payment cycle and the launch of Ontario’s redesigned immigration pathway, adding both financial and policy dimensions to the landscape for newcomers and permanent residents.
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 reached 25 months when it was only 3 months in March 2026?
The explosive growth in this category is driven by the Bill C-3 citizenship by descent provisions that came into effect in December 2025. Tens of thousands of Americans and other foreign nationals with Canadian ancestry have filed applications under the expanded eligibility rules, overwhelming a processing stream that was not staffed for this volume. The queue has grown from approximately 50,900 in March to 121,800 in August, adding more than 70,000 applicants in just five months. IRCC processes these applications in the order they are received, and the current staffing allocation has not kept pace with the sustained intake surge.
What is happening with visitor record extensions, and why did they spike to 419 days?
Visitor record extensions jumped by 103 days in a single weekly cycle, reversing months of gradual decline in this category. This spike is likely tied to a seasonal surge in applications from visitors who arrived during the spring and summer travel season and are now seeking to extend their stays. IRCC processes visitor record extensions alongside other temporary residence applications, and competing priorities like study permit season and work permit renewals can divert processing resources away from this category. Visitors waiting for a decision on their extension maintain legal status under implied status rules as long as they applied before their current authorization expired.
Why did Pakistan work permit processing jump from 10 weeks to 25 weeks in the last update?
Single country processing time spikes of this magnitude typically reflect one or more of several factors, including an increased volume of applications requiring additional security screening, a batch of complex cases that required extended review, or a reallocation of processing resources between visa offices. IRCC processes work permit applications through specific visa offices, and processing capacity at the office handling Pakistan applications can fluctuate based on staffing levels and competing application volumes. It is also possible that a temporary processing pause or quality review at the responsible office contributed to the backlog.
How does the FSWP improvement to six months affect Express Entry candidates currently in the pool?
The Federal Skilled Worker Program processing time improvement from seven months to six months signals that IRCC is clearing its FSWP pipeline more efficiently, which is encouraging for candidates who have already received an invitation to apply. The FSWP queue also shrank by 3,400 applicants to approximately 52,400, indicating that IRCC is finalizing more applications than it is receiving in this category. For candidates still in the Express Entry pool waiting for an invitation, the processing time improvement does not directly affect their CRS score or draw eligibility. However, the faster processing pace means that once you receive an invitation and submit your permanent residence application, you can expect a decision in approximately 6 months rather than the 7-month timeline that was in place since April.
Will IRCC update temporary visa processing times again this week?
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 August 5 data release, and we will update the temporary visa sections as soon as IRCC publishes the next weekly refresh. Weekly updates cover visitor visas, study permits, work permits, super visas, electronic travel authorizations, PR cards, and all related sub categories 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 September 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 August 10, 2026 (monthly categories) and August 5, 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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- 7 New Ontario Rent Rules Coming In September 2026
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)Ontario tenants who miss a rent payment will face a dramatically shorter window to act starting September 21, 2026.
On that date, the minimum termination period on an N4 notice for non-payment of rent drops from 14 days to 7 days for monthly and yearly tenancies.
The change is part of a second wave of amendments under Bill 60, the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025, which received Royal Assent on November 27, 2025.
But the 7-day N4 is only one piece of a much larger September 21 package.
The same proclamation brings a new statutory definition of persistent late payment, a requirement for tenants to pay 50% of arrears before raising certain issues at a non-payment hearing, and a compensation waiver for personal-use evictions with extended notice.
Tribunals Ontario confirmed the September 21, 2026 effective date in its operational update released on June 30, 2026.
This is the same legislation that already delivered a round of changes on July 1, 2026, including the 15-day LTB order review deadline and doubled maximum fines for landlord misconduct.
Table of Contents
7-Day Termination Period Replaces the 14-Day Timeline
The headline change arriving on September 21 is the reduction of the N4 termination period from 14 days to 7 days for monthly and yearly tenancies.
The N4 is the formal Notice to End a Tenancy for Non-Payment of Rent that a landlord must serve before filing an eviction application with the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Under the current rules, a tenant who misses a rent payment receives the N4 and has 14 days before the termination date, at which point the landlord becomes eligible to file an L1 application.
Starting September 21, that termination period shrinks to 7 days.
If the tenant pays the full amount of rent owed before the termination date, the N4 notice becomes void and the landlord cannot proceed.
That core protection remains unchanged. The payment right does not disappear after the termination date.
Under section 74 of the Residential Tenancies Act, a tenant who pays all arrears and any newly due rent before the landlord files the L1 application still voids the notice.
Even after an L1 is filed, payment can still stop the proceeding, subject to the additional amounts required at that stage.
The 7-day change affects the minimum time before a landlord can file, not the tenant’s ability to resolve the matter through payment.
The practical difference is speed in reaching the filing threshold.
Under current rules, a tenant who misses rent on the first of the month and receives an N4 on the second faces a termination date of the sixteenth, and the landlord cannot file the L1 until the seventeenth at the earliest.
Under the new 7-day timeline, the termination date would be the ninth and the earliest L1 filing date would be the tenth.
That is a full week shaved off the process before the hearing backlog even begins.
Landlords who serve a 7-day N4 before September 21, 2026, risk having the notice declared void.
Every N4 served before the effective date must still use the 14-day termination period to be legally valid.
The change applies to all notices served on or after September 21, regardless of when the rent arrears originally accrued.
New Persistent Late Payment Definition
One of the most significant but under-reported changes arriving on September 21 is the new statutory definition of persistent late payment of rent.
O. Reg. 241/26 adds section 8.1 to Ontario Regulation 516/06, establishing for the first time a prescribed definition of what constitutes persistent failure to pay rent on time.
Under the new definition, persistent late payment includes circumstances where a tenant has failed to pay rent within 7 days of the date it becomes due on at least 3 occasions within any 6-month period.
The regulation includes one important exception.
A late payment does not count toward the three-strike threshold if it was solely attributable to the landlord applying a rent payment to another amount owed by the tenant, such as prior arrears.
This definition matters because persistent late payment is a separate ground for eviction under paragraph 1 of subsection 58(1) of the Residential Tenancies Act, served through an N8 notice.
Before this regulation, the LTB had no prescribed definition of what counted as persistent lateness.
Adjudicators used their own discretion, and outcomes varied widely from one hearing to the next.
Some tenants who were late 3 times in 12 months were found persistent, while others who were late 5 times were not.
The new regulation does not eliminate that discretion entirely.
Section 8.1(2) expressly states that persistent late payment may arise in circumstances not set out in the regulation.
The prescribed definition sets a mandatory floor, meaning the LTB must find persistent late payment when the three-strike threshold is met, while still allowing it to make that finding in other fact patterns.
Tenants who pay rent even a few days late on a recurring basis should treat this change as an urgent warning.
Three late payments exceeding 7 days past due within any rolling 6-month window will now meet the statutory test for an N8 notice.
50% Arrears Payment Required Before Raising Tenant Issues
The September 21 package also activates the 50% arrears prepayment requirement under section 82 of the Residential Tenancies Act.
Under the current rules, tenants facing a non-payment hearing can raise their own issues at the hearing, such as maintenance failures, harassment, or illegal entries, without any financial precondition.
Starting September 21, 2026, a tenant who wants to raise these issues at a non-payment hearing must first pay half of the rent arrears that were claimed in the L1 application when it was filed.
O. Reg. 241/26 further specifies that the required payment must be made no later than 7 days before the hearing date.
The right to raise issues is not eliminated.
Tenants can still file separate T2 or T6 applications for maintenance and other complaints independent of the non-payment hearing.
The change adds a financial gate to raising those issues as a defence within the non-payment proceeding itself.
Landlord groups have argued that some tenants raised section 82 issues primarily as a delay tactic rather than a legitimate defence.
Tenant advocacy groups, including the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario, have countered that the prepayment requirement makes it harder for low-income tenants to defend themselves against non-payment claims in the same proceeding where the issues are most relevant.
Tenants who receive an L1 hearing notice after September 21 should calculate 50% of the claimed arrears immediately and arrange payment at least 7 days before the scheduled hearing to preserve their right to raise section 82 issues.
N12 Personal-Use Eviction Compensation Waiver
The next major change affects personal-use evictions under section 48 of the Residential Tenancies Act.
Currently, a landlord who serves an N12 notice for their own use or a family member’s use must provide the tenant with at least 60 days of notice and pay one month’s rent as compensation before the termination date.
Starting September 21, 2026, landlords who give at least 120 days of notice on an N12 under section 48 will no longer be required to pay the one-month compensation.
The termination date must still fall on the last day of the tenancy period or the last day of a fixed term.
This waiver applies only to landlord-own-use evictions under section 48.
It does not apply to purchaser-use N12 notices under section 49, which remain subject to the one-month compensation requirement in section 49.1.
This creates a strategic choice for landlords between speed and cost.
A landlord renting a Toronto unit at $3,400 per month saves $3,400 by choosing the 120-day path instead of the standard 60-day path.
A Hamilton landlord charging $1,800 per month saves $1,800 under the same calculation. The tradeoff is timing.
Landlords who choose the 120-day no-compensation path wait an additional 60 days compared to the standard timeline before the tenant is required to vacate.
Until September 21, 2026, the one-month compensation requirement applies to every N12 eviction regardless of notice length.
The good-faith requirement under section 48 of the Residential Tenancies Act remains fully intact.
A landlord cannot use the N12 process to displace a tenant simply to re-rent the unit at a higher price.
The intended occupant must genuinely plan to live in the unit as their primary residence for at least 12 months.
Bad-faith N12 evictions remain subject to T5 applications by displaced tenants at the LTB.
New 60-Day Occupancy Rule
Ontario filed O. Reg. 240/26 on July 21, 2026, introducing a strict deadline that strengthens tenant protections against bad-faith personal-use evictions.
Effective September 21, 2026, the person identified in an N12 eviction notice must occupy the rental unit within 60 days.
If they do not, a rebuttable presumption of bad faith is triggered under a new subsection added to section 57 of the Residential Tenancies Act.
The regulation establishes two different starting points for the 60-day countdown depending on when the tenant actually vacates.
If the tenant vacates on or before the termination date stated in the N12 notice, the 60-day clock starts from that termination date.
If the tenant vacates after the termination date, the 60-day clock starts from the date the tenant actually leaves the unit.
A landlord who triggers the bad-faith presumption carries the burden of proving that the eviction was nevertheless served honestly and in compliance with the Act.
Under section 57, general compensation for a tenant who successfully proves bad faith is capped at the equivalent of 12 months of the former tenant’s last rent, plus other potential remedies.
The LTB can also impose an administrative fine of up to $50,000 in bad-faith eviction cases.
These LTB administrative fines are separate from the maximum court fines of $100,000 for individuals and $500,000 for corporations that apply upon conviction for RTA offences.
This rule was designed to address a longstanding complaint from tenant advocacy groups that landlords were using N12 notices with no genuine intention of occupying the unit.
The 60-day deadline gives tenants a concrete and measurable standard against which to evaluate whether their eviction was legitimate.
Renovation Eviction Rules Add New Notification Requirements
The September 21 changes also strengthen tenant protections in renovation and demolition evictions under the N13 notice.
Landlords seeking to end a tenancy for repairs, renovations, or demolition will be required to provide written notifications to the tenant at multiple stages of the project.
These notifications must cover the estimated completion date of the renovations, any changes to that estimated date, and the final date that the unit is ready for re-occupancy.
Tenants will also receive a guaranteed 60-day period to re-occupy the unit after renovations are completed.
If the landlord fails to provide the required notifications or does not give the tenant the full 60 days to return, the tenant can file an application at the LTB for a remedy.
The application would be based on a failure to afford the right of first refusal, a new enforcement mechanism added under Bill 60.
These renovation eviction protections build on earlier municipal efforts, including Toronto’s Rental Renovation Licence requirement that took effect in July 2025.
N13 notices have their own existing compensation rules under sections 52, 54 and 55 of the Residential Tenancies Act, which vary depending on the reason for the eviction and the size of the building.
Those N13 compensation obligations are separate from the N12 compensation waiver and remain unchanged by the September 21 amendments.
Landlords managing active renovation projects should create a written communication log documenting every notification, timeline change, and completion update to protect against future LTB disputes.
What Already Changed In 2026
The September 21 changes are the second wave of a two-part rollout that began on July 1, 2026.
Several significant amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act already took effect on that date.
The window to request a review of an LTB order dropped from 30 days to 15 days on July 1, meaning landlords and tenants now have half the previous time to challenge a board decision.
The document service window for above-guideline increase applications was reduced from 14 days to 7 days, with a certificate of service now due within 5 days after service.
The LTB introduced a mandatory Payment Agreement Form for all repayment plans filed with the board.
Tenants gained the legal right to install a window or portable air conditioning unit with written notice to their landlord, courtesy of Bill 97, the Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act.
Maximum fines for RTA offences doubled to $100,000 for individuals and $500,000 for corporations.
Ontario previously doubled the RTA offence maximums in 2020, from $25,000 and $100,000 to $50,000 and $250,000.
The July 2026 increase doubled them again to the current levels.
The full breakdown of Ontario law changes that took effect in July 2026 covers every provision that landlords and tenants are now operating under.
What Has Not Changed
Despite the scope of these reforms, several core tenant protections under the Residential Tenancies Act remain fully intact.
A landlord still cannot evict a tenant without a valid legal reason and a formal order from the Landlord and Tenant Board.
An eviction notice alone does not end a tenancy in Ontario.
The tenant always has the right to a hearing before any eviction order can be enforced.
Security of tenure, the legal principle that allows tenants to remain in their homes as long as they follow their lease terms and the Act, remains the foundation of Ontario rental law.
When a fixed-term lease expires, it continues to convert automatically to a month-to-month tenancy under the existing framework.
The 2026 rent increase guideline of 2.1% remains the maximum a landlord can raise rent in a 12-month period without LTB approval for rent-controlled units.
Units first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018, remain exempt from rent control, meaning landlords of post-2018 units can raise rent by any amount with 90 days’ written notice.
The right to a safe and well-maintained unit, essential services like heat and water, and the requirement for 24-hour written notice before landlord entry are all unchanged.
What Ontario Tenants Should Do Before September 21
Tenants who are currently behind on rent or at risk of falling behind should prioritize clearing arrears before the September 21 deadline.
Under the new 7-day termination rule, a missed rent payment followed by an N4 notice leaves very little time before a landlord becomes eligible to file at the LTB.
Setting up automatic rent payments through your bank or financial institution eliminates the risk of accidental late payment.
Automatic payments are especially important under the new persistent-late-payment definition, where being more than 7 days late on 3 occasions within 6 months now meets the statutory test for an N8 notice.
Tenants who receive an N4 notice after September 20 should pay the full arrears as quickly as possible to void the notice, ideally before the termination date and certainly before the landlord files the L1.
Any tenant who receives an N12 personal-use eviction notice should immediately verify whether the landlord has paid the required one-month compensation or provided at least 120 days of notice to qualify for the new waiver under section 48.
The new 60-day occupancy rule provides tenants with a concrete timeline to monitor whether the person named in the N12 actually occupies the unit.
Tenants facing renovation evictions under an N13 notice should request written confirmation of the estimated completion date and document every communication with their landlord from this point forward.
Anyone receiving Ontario Works or ODSP payments should speak with their caseworker immediately if they receive any eviction notice, as housing disruption can trigger changes to benefit eligibility.
Ontario tenants receiving ODSP or Ontario Works benefits should be especially vigilant, as losing housing can disrupt support services.
ODSP recipients now receive up to $1,436 per month for a single person after the 1.9% inflation adjustment that took effect on July 1, 2026.
What Ontario Landlords Should Do Before September 21
Landlords should update every internal procedure and template related to N4 notices to reflect the 7-day termination period for any notice served on or after September 21.
Serving a 7-day N4 before the effective date will void the notice and force the landlord to start over.
Landlords should also review their rent collection records for the past 6 months to identify tenants who may already meet the new persistent-late-payment threshold.
Three instances of rent arriving more than 7 days past due within a rolling 6-month window now satisfy the statutory definition for an N8 notice.
Landlords planning personal-use evictions should evaluate whether the 60-day standard path with compensation or the new 120-day no-compensation path is more advantageous for their specific situation.
The financial savings must be weighed against the additional 60 days of waiting before the tenant is required to vacate.
Under the new 60-day occupancy rule, landlords must ensure the intended occupant identified in the N12 occupies the unit within the prescribed period.
Failure to meet this requirement creates a rebuttable presumption of bad faith that the landlord must actively overcome at the LTB.
Landlords pursuing renovation evictions should establish a written communication log tracking every notification, timeline estimate, and completion date sent to the tenant.
Every landlord should confirm that their property management software, notice templates, and filing calendars are updated before September 21 to avoid procedural errors.
Bill 60 and Bill 97 Drive the 2026 Overhaul
The September 21 changes are driven by two separate pieces of Ontario legislation working together.
Bill 60, formally known as the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025, was introduced in the fall of 2025, passed third reading on November 24, 2025, and received Royal Assent on November 27, 2025.
Schedule 12 of Bill 60 contains the Residential Tenancies Act amendments, which have been proclaimed in waves through Orders in Council.
Bill 97, the Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act, 2023, provides the tenant-protective provisions that complement the procedural speedups in Bill 60.
The tenant air conditioning installation right and the doubled maximum fines both come from Bill 97.
The political framing from the Ontario government emphasizes shorter delays, tighter procedures, and clearer rules for both parties.
Tenant advocacy groups argue that the balance tilts toward faster evictions and narrower defences.
Landlord organizations have welcomed the shorter notice periods and more predictable outcomes.
The full statutory text of Bill 60’s RTA amendments is published at Schedule 12 on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario site.
Residents can also check 2026 statutory holidays to confirm whether any holidays fall within their 7-day N4 window, since business days may affect processing and payment timelines.
Disabled tenants covered by Ontario’s disability support programs should verify that any rent increase applied to their unit complies with the 2.1% guideline or confirm whether their unit is exempt.
Summary of New Ontario Rent Changes
Change Details N4 Termination Period Drops from 14 days to 7 days for monthly and yearly tenancies Persistent Late Payment More than 7 days late at least 3 times within any 6-month period meets statutory threshold (N8 notice) 50% Arrears Prepayment Tenants must pay half of L1 arrears at least 7 days before hearing to raise section 82 issues N12 Compensation Waiver (s. 48) One-month compensation waived when landlord gives 120+ days notice; does not apply to purchaser-use (s. 49) 60-Day Occupancy Rule Intended N12 occupant must occupy within 60 days or rebuttable bad-faith presumption applies N13 Renovation Notifications Written notification required at every stage including completion date and re-occupancy Right of First Refusal Tenants can file LTB application if landlord fails renovation notification requirements Key Dates for Ontario Landlords and Tenants in 2026
Date What Changed or Changes November 27, 2025 Bill 60 received Royal Assent July 1, 2026 Wave 1: 15-day LTB reviews, doubled fines, tenant AC rights, mandatory payment form September 21, 2026 Wave 2: 7-day N4, persistent late payment threshold, 50% arrears rule, N12 compensation waiver (s. 48), 60-day occupancy rule, N13 notification requirements September 21, 2026 marks the single largest day of changes to Ontario eviction and rental law procedures in years.
The combination of the 7-day N4, the three-strike persistent late payment threshold, the 50% arrears prepayment requirement, the N12 compensation waiver, and the 60-day occupancy rule fundamentally reshapes the timeline and the stakes for both landlords and tenants.
The rules are set, the dates are confirmed, and the clock is already running toward September 21.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does the 7-day N4 mean a tenant has only 7 days to avoid eviction?
The 7 days are the minimum termination period before a landlord can file an L1 application, not an absolute eviction deadline. A tenant who pays all arrears and any newly due rent before the landlord files the L1 still voids the notice, and payment can still resolve the matter even after filing under section 74 of the Act.
What triggers the new persistent late payment threshold?
Under O. Reg. 241/26, failing to pay rent within 7 days of the due date on at least 3 occasions within any 6-month period meets the statutory definition of persistent late payment, which is a separate ground for an N8 eviction notice.
What happens if the person named in an N12 does not occupy the unit within 60 days?
Under O. Reg. 240/26, a rebuttable presumption of bad faith is triggered, meaning the landlord must prove the eviction was genuine or face compensation of up to 12 months of the former tenant’s last rent plus a potential LTB administrative fine of up to $50,000.
Does the 120-day N12 compensation waiver apply to all types of N12 notices?
The waiver applies only to landlord-own-use evictions under section 48 of the Act, and purchaser-use N12 notices under section 49 remain subject to the one-month compensation requirement in section 49.1.
Do tenants still need to pay 50% of arrears to raise maintenance issues at a hearing?
Starting September 21, tenants must pay half of the L1 arrears at least 7 days before the hearing to raise section 82 issues at a non-payment proceeding, but they can still file separate T2 or T6 applications for maintenance complaints outside the non-payment hearing.
Fact Check: All information in this article has been verified against the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006; Bill 60 (Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025); Bill 97 (Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act, 2023); O. Reg. 240/26; O. Reg. 241/26; and the Tribunals Ontario operational updates.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice; consult a licensed paralegal or lawyer for guidance specific to your situation.
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- Latest Express Entry Draw On August 19 Sent 5,000 PR Invitations
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued 5,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence through the latest Express Entry draw on August 19, 2026 for French category.
The Comprehensive Ranking System cutoff for the lowest-ranked candidate invited was 382 points, a 9-point drop from the 391 recorded on August 6 and the lowest French-language cutoff of 2026.
This draw closes the second August draw cluster that began with the Provincial Nominee Program draw on August 17 and continued with the Canadian Experience Class draw on August 18.
The CRS cutoff of 382 marks the first time a French-language draw has broken below 391 in 2026, expanding the qualifying window for candidates with moderate French-language test results and lower base CRS profiles.
Below is a full breakdown of the draw results, the complete 2026 French-language draw tracker, how this CRS drop affects candidate strategy, and what comes next for Express Entry.
Table of Contents
August 19 French-Language Proficiency Draw Results
The table below summarizes every official detail of the August 19 French-language proficiency Express Entry draw as published by the IRCC.
Draw Detail Value Category French-Language Proficiency 2026-V2 Date and Time August 19, 2026 at 12:35:37 UTC Number of Invitations Issued 5,000 CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate 382 Rank Needed 5,000 or above Tie-Breaking Rule March 1, 2026 at 18:34:05 UTC Candidates who scored exactly 382 only received invitations if they submitted their Express Entry profiles before March 1, 2026, at 18:34:05 UTC.
Anyone with a CRS score above 382 who qualified under the French-language proficiency category received an invitation regardless of when their profile was submitted.
The tie-breaking date of March 1, 2026, is approximately five and a half months before the draw, which indicates a deep pool of candidates holding exactly 382 CRS points.
Invited candidates now have exactly 60 calendar days to submit a complete permanent residence application to IRCC.
Why the CRS Cutoff Dropped to a New 2026 Low of 382
French-language proficiency draw cutoffs had ranged between 391 and 420 across the first nine rounds of 2026 before this draw broke through the floor to a new yearly low.
The nine-point drop from 391 on August 6 to 382 on August 19 is the third-largest single-round CRS decline recorded in a French-language draw this year, after the 21-point drop on July 22 and the 19-point drop on April 29.
This decline occurred despite IRCC maintaining the same 5,000-invitation volume used in the August 6 French draw, which means the drop is driven entirely by changes in pool composition rather than draw size.
The most likely explanation is that the August 6 draw removed 5,000 French-qualified candidates near the top of the pool, and the replacement candidates who entered the pool over the following two weeks had lower base CRS scores.
The contrast with the CEC cutoff of 523 recorded just one day earlier highlights the structural advantage French-language draws offer, with a gap of 141 points between the two pathways.
A candidate with a total CRS score of 382 who holds qualifying French-language test results received an invitation in this round, while the same profile would need 141 additional points to qualify through a CEC draw at current volumes.
Every French-Language Draw in 2026: The Full Invitation Tracker
The table below tracks every French-language proficiency draw conducted in 2026 and shows how CRS cutoffs have shifted as IRCC adjusted invitation volumes across the year.
Date ITAs CRS Cutoff Change August 19, 2026 5,000 382 -9 August 6, 2026 5,000 391 — July 22, 2026 5,000 399 -21 July 9, 2026 5,000 420 +11 May 28, 2026 4,500 409 +9 April 29, 2026 4,000 400 -19 April 15, 2026 4,000 419 +26 March 18, 2026 4,000 393 — March 4, 2026 5,500 397 -3 February 6, 2026 8,500 400 — French-language invitations now total 50,500 across 10 draws in 2026, making French-language proficiency the largest Express Entry draw category so far this year, narrowly ahead of the Canadian Experience Class.
The CRS cutoff trend shows two distinct phases in 2026: an upward climb from 393 on March 18 to a peak of 420 on July 9, followed by a sustained decline to the current low of 382 from the record 8,500-invitation draw in February that set the early benchmark at CRS 400.
The downward phase suggests that the most competitive French-language candidates were captured during the high-volume period from April through July, leaving a less competitive applicant pool for recent August draws.
Second August Draw Cluster Now Complete
The August 19 French-language draw completes the second draw cluster of August 2026, following the same PNP, CEC, and French-language sequence that IRCC has used in every cluster since March.
The three draws in this cluster issued a combined 6,442 invitations: 442 through the PNP draw on August 17 at CRS 760, 1,000 through the CEC draw on August 18 at CRS 523, and 5,000 through the French draw on August 19 at CRS 382.
French-language proficiency invitations accounted for 77.6% of all invitations issued in this cluster, reinforcing the category’s role as the highest-volume draw type within each cluster window.
The total number of Express Entry invitations issued in 2026 now stands at approximately 119,865 across 49 draws, well past the 113,998 invitations issued across all of 2025.
CEC and French-language draws together continue to account for over 82% of all invitations in 2026, confirming these two categories as the dominant Express Entry pathways under the current system.
Who Qualifies for French-Language Proficiency Draws
Candidates must demonstrate French-language ability at NCLC 7 or higher in all four skills, including speaking, listening, reading, and writing, using an approved test such as TEF Canada or TCF Canada.
Test results must be less than two years old at the time an immigration officer receives the complete permanent residence application, so candidates should verify their test expiry dates before relying on existing scores.
Candidates must also hold an active Express Entry profile and be eligible under at least one of the three federal programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, or the Canadian Experience Class.
Processing Times for Express Entry Applications
The latest IRCC processing time data from August 10, 2026, shows Express Entry permanent residence applications processing at approximately six months for decisions.
Candidates who receive invitations in the August 19 draw can expect their permanent residency approvals to arrive in early to mid-2027 based on the current processing window.
Applicants who submit incomplete documentation remain one of the leading causes of processing delays and refusals across all economic immigration categories.
IRCC’s 9% francophone immigration target outside Quebec under the 2026 to 2028 Immigration Levels Plan is a policy commitment that is expected to sustain French-language draws regardless of how the broader Express Entry system is restructured.
The August 19 French-language draw sets a new 2026 CRS low of 382, nine points below the previous floor, confirming that French-language proficiency remains the most accessible high-volume Express Entry pathway.
The second August draw cluster is now complete, and candidates should prepare for the next cluster expected in the first week of September.
Follow Immigration News Canada for verified draw results, CRS score analysis, and Canadian immigration news as they are released by IRCC.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the CRS cutoff for the August 19, 2026, Express Entry draw?
The CRS cutoff was 382 points for the French-language proficiency draw on August 19, 2026, with 5,000 invitations to apply issued to candidates who demonstrated NCLC 7 or higher in French across all four language skills.
Why did the French-language CRS cutoff drop to 382?
The 9-point decline from 391 on August 6 reflects a less competitive pool of French-language candidates following the removal of 5,000 top-ranked profiles in the previous round, while replacement candidates who entered the pool over the subsequent two weeks had lower base CRS scores.
What French-language tests qualify for these draws?
TEF Canada and TCF Canada are the two approved French-language tests accepted by IRCC for Express Entry French-language proficiency draws, and candidates must achieve NCLC 7 or higher in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
How many French-language invitations has IRCC issued in 2026?
IRCC has issued 50,500 French-language proficiency invitations across 10 draws in 2026, making French-language proficiency the largest Express Entry draw type by invitation volume so far this year, narrowly ahead of the Canadian Experience Class.
When is the next Express Entry draw expected?
The second August cluster is now complete, and the next round of Express Entry draws is expected in the first week of September if IRCC maintains the biweekly cluster pattern used throughout 2026.
Fact-Checked: All data in this article was verified against the official Express Entry rounds of invitations page published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on August 19, 2026, and cross-referenced with pool snapshot data released on August 16, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is published for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional immigration advice.
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- 5 Major Canada Immigration Shifts In 2026 Revealed In New IRCC Data
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has released new data across 4 separate open-data portals on August 18, 2026, and the combined picture reveals a Canadian immigration system undergoing its most significant recalibration in a decade.
The datasets cover permanent residence admissions, Express Entry landings, study permit holders and International Mobility Program work permits, and all four now align on the same January-through-June 2026 reporting window.
Five distinct shifts emerge when the data is read together, and they tell a story that no single dataset could capture on its own.
Some of these trends follow the direction Ottawa signalled in the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, which set annual permanent residence targets at 380,000 and pledged to reduce temporary residents below 5% of the population by late 2027.
Others are arriving with a force and speed that no policy document anticipated.
Here is what the data shows across every major immigration stream, what is driving each trend, and what it means for applicants, employers and policymakers in Canada.
Table of Contents
Permanent Resident Admissions Are Down 12.3% In The First Half
Canada admitted 182,185 permanent residents from January through June 2026, compared with 207,850 during the same six months of 2025.
That is a decline of 25,665 admissions and represents a 12.3% year-over-year drop in new permanent residents.
The monthly trajectory reveals a system that started the year at its lowest point and has been steadily regaining momentum.
January recorded just 24,220 landings, down 28.9% from January 2025.
By April, admissions reached 29,885, surpassing the April 2025 figure of 28,055 for the first month of positive year-over-year growth in 2026.
May climbed to 34,410, and June reached 34,750, meaning the last two months of the first half are both running close to the pace required to meet the annual target.
At the current trajectory, Canada needs to admit approximately 197,815 permanent residents across July through December to reach the 380,000 target in the Immigration Levels Plan, which works out to roughly 33,000 per month.
June’s figure of 34,750 shows that pace is achievable, but sustaining it through the second half without interruption would require consistent processing velocity across all categories.
Month H1 2025 H1 2026 Change % Change January 34,055 24,220 -9,835 -28.9% February 35,275 29,290 -5,985 -17.0% March 34,990 29,630 -5,360 -15.3% April 28,055 29,885 +1,830 +6.5% May 36,430 34,410 -2,020 -5.5% June 39,045 34,750 -4,295 -11.0% H1 Total 207,850 182,185 -25,665 -12.3% Ontario absorbed the largest absolute decline, dropping from 91,390 to 78,110, a 14.5% reduction that accounts for more than half of the national shortfall.
Quebec posted the steepest provincial percentage decline at 23.5%, falling from 28,530 to 21,820.
British Columbia fell 17.6% from 27,670 to 22,795, while Alberta dipped more modestly at 5.6% from 26,250 to 24,770.
Manitoba and Saskatchewan were notable exceptions, rising 3.8% and 4.0%, respectively, making them the only major provinces to admit more permanent residents in the first half of 2026 than in the same period of 2025.
Economic Immigration Is Down 22.8%
The decline in permanent resident admissions is not evenly distributed across immigration categories, and economic immigration is bearing a disproportionate share of the reduction.
Canada admitted 100,930 economic-class permanent residents from January through June 2026, down from 130,770 during the same period in 2025.
That 22.8% decline reflects reduced volumes across every major economic stream, with the Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Worker program absorbing the steepest cuts.
Economic Stream H1 2025 H1 2026 Change % Change Canadian Experience 32,730 23,670 -9,060 -27.7% Skilled Worker 35,865 26,820 -9,045 -25.2% Provincial Nominees 50,585 41,820 -8,765 -17.3% Economic Total 130,770 100,930 -29,840 -22.8% The 27.7% decline in Canadian Experience Class admissions reflects how IRCC has managed Express Entry draws throughout 2026, with smaller draw sizes and higher CRS cutoffs limiting how many in-Canada workers convert invitations into permanent residence.
The Provincial Nominee Program decline of 17.3% is notable given that the Levels Plan increased PNP allocations to 91,500 for 2026, a substantial rebound from the 55,000 target in 2025.
The gap between the higher allocation and the lower actual landing volume suggests that processing timelines and provincial nomination throughput have not yet caught up to the restored targets.
Ontario’s economic admissions dropped from 52,910 to 36,135, a decline of 31.7% that accounts for more than half of the national economic-class reduction on its own.
The composition of Canada’s immigration intake is shifting as a result.
Economic immigration’s share of total admissions fell from 62.9% in H1 2025 to 55.4% in H1 2026.
Meanwhile, refugee and protected person admissions surged 35.1% from 24,355 to 32,915, increasing their share of total admissions from 11.7% to 18.1%.
Sponsored family admissions dipped only 4.1% from 46,950 to 45,020, holding relatively steady while economic streams contracted sharply.
Asylum claims moved in the opposite direction from refugee admissions, declining 48.9% in H1 2026 from 57,440 to 29,365.
Express Entry PR Admissions Plunged 32.7% In The First Half
The dedicated Express Entry admissions dataset confirms an even sharper contraction than the broader economic category numbers suggest.
IRCC recorded 47,430 Express Entry permanent resident admissions in the first half of 2026, compared with 70,445 during the first half of 2025.
That is a decline of 32.7%, and it represents the sharpest first-half contraction in Express Entry admissions since the system launched in 2015.
The monthly data shows the drop was steepest in the early months and has begun to stabilize, though at a permanently lower level.
February and March 2026 each recorded fewer than 7,700 Express Entry landings, compared with more than 12,500 in each of those months during 2025.
By June the monthly figure had recovered to 8,420, but that is still 26% below June 2025.
Ontario’s Express Entry admissions fell from 42,710 in H1 2025 to 27,170 in H1 2026, a decline of 36.4% that removes over 15,500 skilled workers from the province’s permanent resident intake.
British Columbia dropped 39.0% from 12,355 to 7,535, Alberta declined 22.8% from 7,270 to 5,615, and Manitoba fell 32.0% from 2,640 to 1,795.
For candidates in the Express Entry pool, these numbers explain the elevated CRS cutoffs that have defined every CEC draw in 2026.
Fewer admissions means IRCC is converting a smaller share of invitations into landings, which keeps the pool saturated with applicants competing for a diminished number of spots.
The proposed Express Entry overhaul that IRCC consulted on through May 2026 would restructure the system entirely, but those changes will not take effect until at last 2027, leaving the current dynamics in place for the rest of this year.
Study Permit Numbers Suddenly Rebounded In Q2 2026
While permanent resident and Express Entry volumes contracted, new study permit activity moved sharply in the opposite direction during the second quarter.
IRCC recorded 80,485 study permit holders whose permits became effective in Q2 2026, compared with 55,215 in Q2 2025.
That is a 45.8% increase, reversing a trend that had defined the international student space since Ottawa imposed study permit caps for 2026 and restricted new allocations.
June alone surged to 32,700 from 18,170, an 80.0% year-over-year increase and the single largest monthly study permit figure in the 2026 dataset.
The broader picture is more mixed, with Q1 2026 down 24.5% at 70,860 versus 93,880 in Q1 2025, before Q2 rebounded 45.8% to 80,485 from 55,215.
Country Q2 2025 Q2 2026 Change % Change India 17,545 16,555 -990 -5.6% China 5,640 12,605 +6,965 +123.5% Ukraine 640 5,890 +5,250 +820.3% Nigeria 3,950 5,145 +1,195 +30.3% Philippines 3,980 3,885 -95 -2.4% South Korea 930 2,370 +1,440 +154.8% France 650 1,510 +860 +132.3% All Countries 55,215 80,485 +25,270 +45.8% China’s 123.5% Q2 surge is the headline number among major source countries, while India actually declined 5.6% despite remaining the largest single source of international students in Canada.
Ukraine’s 820.3% increase from a low base of 640 to 5,890 stands out as the most dramatic percentage shift in the entire dataset, likely reflecting humanitarian policy accommodations and demand from displaced students.
South Korea, France and Vietnam all posted Q2 increases exceeding 80%, indicating that the rebound is broad-based and not driven by a single source country.
The divergence between India and virtually every other major source nation is significant, because any sustained decline from India while other countries surge would fundamentally reshape the demographic composition of Canada’s international student population.
International Mobility Program Work Permits More Than Doubled
The most dramatic finding in the entire data release comes from the International Mobility Program work permit dataset.
IRCC recorded 258,765 IMP work permit holders in Q2 2026, compared with 126,415 in Q2 2025.
That is an increase of 104.7%, meaning IMP volumes more than doubled in a single year.
The 170,000 IMP target in the Levels Plan is not directly comparable with these permit-holder figures because the target covers new arrivals and excludes Post-Graduation Work Permits and in-Canada work permit applications.
Ontario’s Q2 IMP volume jumped from 47,900 to 110,555, an increase of 130.8%.
Quebec rose 103.1% from 14,655 to 29,765, Alberta climbed 118.3% from 12,925 to 28,220, and British Columbia increased 108.6% from 20,975 to 43,755.
Even smaller provinces saw their IMP volumes roughly double, with New Brunswick up 145.1% and Saskatchewan up 134.3%.
Post-Graduation Work Permits Are The Engine Behind The Surge
The single largest driver of the IMP explosion is post-graduation employment.
IRCC data shows 116,935 post-graduation work permit holders recorded in Q2 2026, compared with 27,645 in Q2 2025.
That is a 323.0% increase in a single quarter.
June 2026 alone recorded 42,470 PGWP holders, compared with 9,780 in June 2025, an increase of 334.3%.
Month PGWP 2025 PGWP 2026 Change % Change January 19,665 47,135 +27,470 +139.7% February 14,055 47,980 +33,925 +241.3% March 13,150 36,015 +22,865 +173.8% April 9,705 34,140 +24,435 +251.7% May 8,150 40,390 +32,240 +395.6% June 9,780 42,470 +32,690 +334.3% The PGWP share of total IMP activity tells its own story.
In Q2 2025, post-graduation employment accounted for 21.9% of IMP work permit activity. In Q2 2026, that share surged to 45.2%, meaning nearly half of all IMP activity during the quarter was driven by post-graduation employment.
In H1 2026, that share surged to 49.2%, meaning nearly half of all International Mobility Program activity in Canada is now driven by international graduates entering the labour market on post-graduation permits.
Ontario absorbed the largest share of this PGWP surge, jumping from 16,620 in Q2 2025 to 64,695 in Q2 2026.
British Columbia went from 4,115 to 20,700, Quebec from 2,425 to 12,235 and Alberta from 1,685 to 8,385.
What Is Driving The PGWP Explosion
The 323% Q2 surge in post-graduation work permits is a delayed consequence of Canada’s earlier international student boom.
In 2022 and 2023, Canada issued record volumes of study permits as post-pandemic enrollment surged across colleges and universities.
Those students who enrolled in two-year and three-year programs are now graduating in large numbers and applying for PGWPs upon completion.
The timing aligns with the typical graduation cycle, because a student who began a two-year diploma in September 2023 would complete studies by spring 2025 and receive a PGWP that became effective in late 2025 or early 2026.
This creates a paradox at the centre of Canadian immigration policy.
Ottawa has simultaneously tightened study permit caps, restricted PGWP-eligible fields of study and imposed new language requirements for post-graduation work permits.
But the pipeline of students admitted under the previous, more permissive rules is still producing graduates at peak volumes, and those graduates are entering the labour market in unprecedented numbers.
The policy tightening will eventually reduce PGWP volumes as the smaller post-2024 student cohorts begin to graduate, but that effect is still at least two to three years away.
In the meantime, the 116,935 PGWP holders recorded in Q2 2026 represent a massive cohort of workers competing for permanent residence through Express Entry, provincial nominee programs and other pathways.
With Express Entry admissions down 32.7% and CRS cutoffs remaining elevated, many of these PGWP holders face uncertain prospects and tightening timelines.
IRCC data has shown that over 300,000 work permits were set to expire in Q1 2026 alone, and the continued flow of new PGWP holders into the system means the total volume of temporary workers seeking permanence is growing even as the number of available PR spots contracts.
A separate IRCC dataset tracking permanent resident admissions of former study permit holders shows that 11,730 former international students received permanent residence in H1 2026, compared with 11,195 in H1 2025.
That 4.8% increase means former students now represent 6.4% of all PR admissions, up from 5.4% a year earlier.
The contrast between the 248,055 PGWP holders entering the labour market and the 11,730 former students actually converting to permanent residence in the same period illustrates the scale of the bottleneck facing international graduates in 2026.
What The Combined Data Tells Us About Canadian Immigration In 2026
These five shifts form a coherent pattern that reveals the structural tension at the core of Canadian immigration policy.
Ottawa is deliberately reducing permanent resident volumes, cutting Express Entry conversions and slowing economic immigration to meet the lower targets in the 2026–2028 Levels Plan.
At the same time, the temporary resident population is being reshaped by forces set in motion years ago, and the PGWP surge demonstrates that policy changes on the input side take years to filter through to the output side.
The study permit rebound in Q2 adds another layer of complexity, because it suggests that the caps and restrictions Ottawa introduced have not eliminated demand but may have redirected it across source countries and timing patterns.
IRCC’s latest backlog data shows more than 1.5 million immigration files still awaiting decisions, and the new transparency dashboard reveals that a significant share of permanent residence applications are not being processed but are simply waiting for space under the annual levels cap.
For applicants, the takeaway is that 2026 is a year of tighter competition for permanent residence, elevated CRS thresholds in Express Entry, and record-high volumes of PGWP holders competing for a shrinking pool of PR spots.
For employers, the labour market now contains a historically large pool of PGWP holders who are already in Canada, authorized to work and actively seeking positions that could support a future permanent residence application.
For policymakers, the data raises a fundamental question about whether the current approach of cutting PR admissions while inheriting a massive temporary-to-permanent pipeline can be sustained without creating a growing population of workers in legal status with no realistic path forward.
The In-Canada Workers Initiative targeting up to 33,000 workers is already operational, while the proposed Express Entry overhaul has not yet been implemented.
The record emigration figures and declining non-permanent resident population provide the other side of the ledger, as Canada is simultaneously losing temporary residents at historically high rates while the PGWP pipeline continues adding new ones.
If the second half of 2026 sustains June’s pace of roughly 34,750 PR landings per month, Canada would finish the year near the 380,000 target.
However, the immigration mix reaching that number will look fundamentally different from what the Levels Plan envisioned, with a smaller economic share, a larger humanitarian share, and a quarter-million PGWP holders sitting outside the permanent residence pipeline altogether.
Follow Immigration News Canada for complete coverage of every IRCC data release, Express Entry draw result, provincial program update and processing time change affecting immigration to Canada in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many permanent residents has Canada admitted in 2026 so far?
IRCC data shows 182,185 permanent residents were admitted from January through June 2026, down 12.3% from 207,850 during January through June 2025. Canada needs approximately 33,000 landings per month from July through December to reach the 380,000 annual target.
Why are Express Entry admissions declining when IRCC is still running draws?
IRCC has been issuing invitations at a steady pace in 2026, but the lag between receiving an invitation and landing as a permanent resident means that reduced draw sizes and higher CRS cutoffs from late 2025 through early 2026 are now showing up in the admissions data with a delay of several months.
What is causing the post-graduation work permit surge in 2026?
The record number of study permits issued in 2022 and 2023 created a large pipeline of international students who are now completing their programs and transitioning to PGWPs. The current surge reflects the graduation timing of those earlier cohorts, and the policy restrictions Ottawa introduced in 2024 and 2025 will not meaningfully reduce PGWP output until 2027 or 2028.
Will study permit numbers continue to rise in the second half of 2026?
The Q2 rebound brought the first-half total to only 1.8% above 2025 levels, and IRCC has confirmed that the 2026 national study permit cap of approximately 408,000 remains in effect, so the second-half trajectory will depend on how many allocations remain under provincial quotas.
What does the PGWP surge mean for permanent residence competition?
The 248,055 PGWP holders recorded in H1 2026 represent a historically large pool of workers who will seek permanent residence through Express Entry, provincial nominee programs and other pathways. Only 11,730 former international students actually received permanent residence in the same period, illustrating the scale of the bottleneck and the intense competition PGWP holders face for limited PR spots.
Fact-Checked: All permanent resident admissions figures are sourced from the IRCC Open Data Portal datasets current as of June 30, 2026, updated by the department on August 18, 2026. Immigration level targets are sourced from the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan published by IRCC in November 2025 and the IRCC Departmental Plan 2026 published March 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Readers should consult a licensed immigration professional for guidance on their individual circumstances.
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- New Ontario Car Insurance Rate Cuts Coming In September 2026
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)Ontario drivers insured with some of the province’s largest carriers are about to see approved rate reductions flow through to their renewal premiums this fall.
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario has approved average rate decreases for at least eight insurer filings covering renewals that begin as early as September 1, 2026.
These cuts arrive barely two months after Ontario overhauled its auto insurance accident benefits structure on July 1, giving drivers a second reason to open their renewal paperwork carefully this season.
The approved reductions range from a modest 0.23% average decrease at one insurer to a 5.30% average cut at another, with effective dates staggered across September and November.
One additional insurer secured a 4.62% reduction that already took effect on August 15, offering immediate relief to policyholders renewing through that carrier.
Not every filing moved in the same direction, however, and one insurer under a major corporate umbrella received approval for a rate increase starting on the same September 1 date.
The full breakdown of every approved change, which insurers are cutting rates, what the approved averages mean for individual drivers, and what the one exception means follows below.
Table of Contents
Every Approved Rate Cut by Insurer and Effective Date
FSRA publishes every approved rate change in its public rate approval database, giving Ontario consumers advance notice before adjusted premiums appear on their renewal documents.
The following table lists every insurer with an approved average rate decrease that takes effect between August and November 2026.
Insurer / Group Approved Avg. Change Renewal Effective Heartland Farm Mutual -4.62% Aug. 15, 2026 Aviva General -1.64% Sept. 1, 2026 Definity -1.31% Sept. 1, 2026 Wawanesa -0.23% Sept. 1, 2026 Allstate -1.64% Sept. 15, 2026 Pembridge (Allstate) -1.45% Sept. 15, 2026 Certas Direct (Desjardins) -2.00% Nov. 28, 2026 Certas Home & Auto (Desjardins) -2.00% Nov. 28, 2026 The Personal (Desjardins) -5.30% Nov. 28, 2026 Heartland Farm Mutual secured the earliest effective date with a 4.62% average reduction that applied to renewals starting August 15.
Aviva General followed with a 1.64% average decrease for renewals beginning September 1.
Definity and Wawanesa round out the September 1 cohort with approved average decreases of 1.31% and 0.23%, respectively, which will be incorporated into renewal pricing from that date.
Allstate and its subsidiary Pembridge both secured rate reductions effective September 15, coming in at 1.64% and 1.45%.
The deepest cuts belong to the Desjardins group, which filed three separate reductions under its Certas Direct, Certas Home & Auto, and The Personal brands.
Certas Direct and Certas Home & Auto each received approval for a 2.00% average decrease, while The Personal landed the largest single reduction at 5.30%.
All three Desjardins filings carry a November 28 effective date, which means policyholders with those carriers will wait until late fall before the adjusted rates appear on their renewals.
What These Approved Percentages Actually Mean for Your Premium
FSRA specifically states that each approved percentage represents the expected average premium change across that insurer’s entire Ontario customer base upon renewal, as explained on the regulator’s auto insurance consumer hub.
That distinction matters because individual premiums are calculated using a combination of factors unique to each policyholder.
Your vehicle type, where you park it overnight, your personal driving record, your claims history, and the specific coverages you carry all feed into the rate calculation, as FSRA outlines on its rating factors page.
A driver living in Brampton with a recent at-fault claim could see a different outcome than a driver in Ottawa with a clean record, even if both are insured with the same carrier, something the regulator’s average premium page reinforces.
The approved average decrease is a portfolio-wide figure that reflects the net effect of all the rating-factor adjustments within a single filing.
Some policyholders within a carrier’s book of business may still see a premium increase at renewal even when the overall approved change is negative.
Other policyholders may receive a reduction that exceeds the published average because their specific risk profile improved relative to the rest of the insurer’s pool.
Drivers with recent traffic convictions or impaired-driving offences should also expect their driving record to affect their individual renewal premium despite any portfolio-wide rate decrease.
One Insurer Approved for a Rate Increase
Not every filing that FSRA processed during this cycle moved rates downward.
S&Y Insurance, which operates under the Aviva corporate umbrella, received approval for a 1.19% average rate increase effective September 1, 2026.
Insurer / Group Approved Avg. Change Renewal Effective S&Y Insurance (Aviva) +1.19% Sept. 1, 2026 This means that two entities under the same parent company are moving in opposite directions on the same date, a pattern that reflects how Ontario’s insurance regulatory framework treats each licensed insurer as a separate filing entity with its own claims experience and rate justification.
Drivers insured through S&Y should review their renewal documents carefully when they arrive, because the 1.19% average increase will flow through to premiums calculated under the new filing.
How These Rate Changes Connect to the July 1 Auto Insurance Reform
Ontario’s auto insurance system underwent a fundamental restructuring on July 1, 2026, shifting from a standardized accident benefits package to an optional model where drivers choose which protections to keep.
Only medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care benefits remain mandatory under the new framework.
Income replacement, caregiver benefits, non-earner benefits, housekeeping expenses, death benefits, and funeral benefits all became optional coverages, a change that was flagged months in advance in the May 2026 Ontario laws roundup and the June 2026 preparation guidance.
Existing policyholders generally retain their previous accident-benefit selections at renewal unless they agree in writing to change or decline the newly optional benefits.
The rate reductions approved by FSRA for September and November are separate filings that reflect each insurer’s updated claims projections and operating costs, as detailed in the regulator’s reform Q&A for insurers.
Some of the approved decreases may partially reflect insurers adjusting their pricing models to account for lower expected claims costs under the new optional benefits structure.
However, FSRA has not publicly attributed any specific rate filing to the reform, and each insurer’s actuarial justification is assessed independently.
Drivers who opted out of previously mandatory coverages at their July renewal should compare the resulting premium with what these September or November rate changes would deliver, because the two pricing effects are distinct.
How to Check Whether Your Renewal Is Affected
The simplest way to confirm whether a rate change applies to your policy is to look at the renewal date printed on your current insurance documents.
If your policy renews on or after the effective date listed for your insurer in the table above, the approved rate change should be reflected in your new premium.
Drivers whose policies renewed before the effective date will not see the adjustment until their next annual renewal cycle, which could be up to 10-12 months away.
Ontario residents managing multiple financial deadlines this fall should add their auto insurance renewal date to the calendar alongside those deposit dates.
Ontario law generally requires at least 30 days’ written notice to the named insured when an insurer proposes not to renew a policy or to renew it on varied terms, giving drivers time to review their options.
If the renewal shows a premium increase despite your insurer appearing on the rate-cut list, the explanation almost certainly lies in a change to your individual risk profile, and you can contact your broker or insurer for a detailed breakdown of which rating factors drove the change.
How to Succeed When Shopping Your Renewal
An approved rate decrease at your current insurer does not automatically mean you are getting the best available price in the market.
Ontario law requires insurers to follow the Take-All-Comers rule, which means any insurer whose acceptability criteria you meet must offer you coverage at the lowest rate available for your risk profile.
Collecting quotes from at least three insurers before accepting a renewal gives you a baseline comparison that your current carrier’s rate decrease may or may not beat.
Drivers who recently moved within Ontario should pay particular attention because location is one of the most heavily weighted rating factors and a move from a higher-risk postal code to a lower-risk one can produce savings that dwarf any portfolio-wide rate cut.
Bundling auto insurance with home or tenant insurance through the same carrier often unlocks a multi-policy discount that stacks on top of any approved rate decrease, a savings strategy worth exploring.
Reviewing your coverage limits and deductibles during the renewal window is equally important, especially now that the July 2026 accident benefits reform made several previously mandatory protections optional and changed the baseline coverage that every policy includes.
Drivers insured through the Desjardins group should note that their rate cuts do not take effect until November 28, which means shopping for competitive quotes now could secure a lower rate months before the approved decrease would apply.
Maintaining a clean driving record remains one of the most important ways to control long-term insurance costs, particularly because driving convictions and at-fault claims are factors insurers use directly when calculating individual premiums.
FSRA continues to process rate filings on a rolling basis throughout the year, and additional approvals for reductions or increases could appear in the rate approval database at any time.
The interaction between the July 1 accident benefits reform and insurer pricing models will take several quarters to fully materialize, and Ontario drivers should monitor their renewal documents closely through the remainder of 2026 as the market adjusts to the new regulatory landscape.
Meanwhile, Ontario households are navigating a dense fall calendar of financial changes, from provincial benefit rule changes tied to immigration status to rising consumer costs to deadline-driven claims processes like the CRA data breach settlement, making it more important than ever to review every renewal and payment notice that arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will my auto insurance premium automatically decrease on the effective date listed for my insurer?
The approved rate change applies to renewals that fall on or after the effective date, not to policies already in force. If your policy renewal lands before September 1 or September 15, the decrease will not appear until your next annual renewal cycle, which could be up to 12 months later.
Can my premium still increase even if my insurer received an approved rate decrease?
Yes, the approved percentage is an average across the insurer’s entire Ontario customer base. Changes to your individual risk profile, such as adding a new vehicle, moving to a higher-risk postal code, filing a claim, or receiving a traffic conviction, can push your personal premium higher even when the overall rate filing is a decrease.
Are the September rate cuts related to the July 1 auto insurance accident benefits reform?
FSRA has not publicly attributed any specific rate filing to the accident benefits reform. Each insurer files its rate change based on its own actuarial analysis of claims costs, operating expenses, and projected loss experience. Some filings may reflect expectations of lower claims costs under the new optional benefits framework, but the regulator assesses each filing independently.
Do I automatically lose my current accident benefits when my policy renews after July 1?
No, existing policyholders generally retain the accident-benefit coverages they had before July 1 at renewal unless they and their insurer agree in writing to change or decline specific optional benefits. Drivers purchasing a brand new policy after July 1 receive only the mandatory minimums by default and must actively select any additional optional coverages.
Does Ontario regulate how much an insurer can raise or lower auto insurance rates in a single filing?
Ontario does not set a fixed cap on rate increases or decreases. FSRA reviews every filing to ensure the proposed rates are actuarially justified, not excessive for consumers, and sufficient for the insurer to meet its future claims obligations. If FSRA determines that a proposed change is unreasonable, it can require the insurer to revise the filing before granting approval.
Fact-Checked: All rate change data in this article is sourced from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario’s public rate approval database, accessed on August 18, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance, legal, or financial advice. Readers should contact a licensed insurance broker in Ontario for guidance specific to their policy and coverage needs.
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- New Express Entry Draw On August 18 Sent 1,000 PR Invitations
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued 1,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence through a new Express Entry draw on August 18, 2026, for the Canadian Experience Class.
The Comprehensive Ranking System cutoff for the lowest-ranked candidate invited was 523 points, a sharp 7-point increase from the 516 recorded in the previous CEC draw on August 5.
This is the smallest Canadian Experience Class draw of 2026 and the highest CEC cutoff recorded at any point this year, breaking above the 514 to 518 band that had held steady since April.
The draw arrived one day after the Provincial Nominee Program draw on August 17 that opened the second draw cluster of the month with 442 invitations at a CRS of 760.
Below is a complete breakdown of the draw results, what the CRS spike signals about pool dynamics, how this round compares to every CEC draw in 2026, and what candidates should expect next.
Table of Contents
August 18 Canadian Experience Class Draw Results
The table below summarizes every official detail of the August 18 Canadian Experience Class Express Entry draw as published by IRCC.
Draw Detail Value Program Canadian Experience Class Date and Time August 18, 2026, at 10:13:44 UTC Number of Invitations Issued 1,000 CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate 523 Rank Needed 1,000 or above Tie-Breaking Rule August 17, 2026, at 22:09:00 UTC Candidates who scored exactly 523 only received invitations if they submitted their Express Entry profiles before August 17, 2026, at 22:09:00 UTC.
Anyone with a CRS score above 523 received an invitation regardless of when their profile was submitted.
The tie-breaking date of August 17 is less than 12 hours before the draw itself, which indicates an extremely thin pool of candidates at the 523 CRS level.
Invited candidates now have exactly 60 calendar days to submit a complete permanent residence application to IRCC.
Why the CRS Cutoff Jumped to 523
The CRS cutoff had remained in a narrow 514 to 518 band for every Canadian Experience Class draw since April 2026, regardless of whether IRCC issued 2,000, 3,000, or 4,000 invitations per round.
The August 18 draw broke that pattern entirely by cutting the invitation volume to 1,000 while the pool of competitive candidates continued to grow.
When IRCC reduces the number of invitations by 67% in a single round, only the highest-ranked candidates in the Express Entry pool receive selections, which pushes the minimum qualifying score sharply upward.
The August 5 CEC draw issued 3,000 invitations at a cutoff of 516, meaning that 2,000 additional candidates who would have qualified under the same volume were excluded from the August 18 round.
The seven-point CRS increase is entirely a function of the reduced draw size and does not reflect a fundamental change in the quality or composition of candidates inside the pool.
Candidates who scored between 516 and 522 were competitive enough for an invitation under the previous CEC volume but did not qualify in this round and must wait for future draws.
Every CEC Draw in 2026: The Full Invitation Tracker
The table below tracks every Canadian Experience Class draw conducted in 2026 and illustrates how CRS cutoffs have shifted with changing invitation volumes across the year.
Date ITAs CRS Cutoff Change August 18, 2026 1,000 523 +7 August 5, 2026 3,000 516 — July 21, 2026 2,000 516 -1 July 7, 2026 2,000 517 +1 June 23, 2026 4,000 516 -2 May 27, 2026 3,000 518 +4 April 28, 2026 2,000 514 -1 April 14, 2026 2,000 515 +6 March 31, 2026 2,250 509 +2 March 17, 2026 4,000 507 -1 March 3, 2026 4,000 508 – February 17, 2026 6,000 508 -1 January 21, 2026 6,000 509 -2 January 7, 2026 8,000 511 — CEC-specific invitations now total approximately 49,250 across 14 draws in 2026, representing roughly 43% of all Express Entry invitations issued this year.
The tracker reveals a clear trajectory of volume reduction throughout 2026, with IRCC dropping from 8,000 invitations per CEC round in January to just 1,000 in the latest draw.
CRS cutoffs have tracked these volume changes predictably, rising from the 508 to 511 range during the large early-year draws to a peak of 523 in the smallest CEC round of the year.
Current Express Entry Pool Composition
The most recent Express Entry pool snapshot published by IRCC on August 16, 2026, showed 226,859 candidates in the system before the August 17 PNP draw removed 442 profiles.
The 501 to 600 CRS band held 18,657 candidates on August 16, up by approximately 1,572 profiles from the July 19 snapshot that recorded 17,085 in the same range.
This growth in the CEC-competitive band is one of the factors that allowed IRCC to reduce invitation volumes while still maintaining a high CRS cutoff.
The 451 to 500 range contained 73,554 candidates, representing the most densely populated segment of the entire pool and the group most affected by the CRS cutoff climbing to 523.
Candidates in this range would need either a provincial nomination, a category-based draw with a substantially lower CRS threshold, or significant score improvements through language retesting to receive an invitation under current conditions.
2026 Express Entry Invitation Pace Continues to Decelerate
The August 18 CEC draw brings the total number of Express Entry invitations issued in 2026 to approximately 114,865 across 47 draws, just above the 113,988 invitations issued across all of 2025.
The reduction from 3,000 CEC invitations on August 5 to 1,000 on August 18 continues the deceleration pattern that began after IRCC frontloaded invitations into the first quarter of the year.
Invitation volumes slowed considerably after the first quarter, with monthly totals generally falling below the unusually high pace recorded from January through March.
The proposed Express Entry overhaul expected in the fall of 2026 or early 2027 may require a temporary pause in draws, giving IRCC a structural reason to further reduce volumes in the coming months.
What Draws Are Expected to Follow This Week
Based on the cluster pattern IRCC has followed throughout 2026, a French-language proficiency draw or another category-based draw is expected within the next one to two days to close the second August cluster.
French-language draws have issued CRS cutoffs between 391 and 420 across nine rounds in 2026, offering a pathway roughly 100 points below the CEC cutoff for candidates with TEF or TCF results at NCLC 7 or higher.
IRCC does not publish draw schedules in advance and can change timing, category, or volumes at any time, so candidates should monitor the official IRCC rounds of invitations page daily during active draw weeks.
What Candidates Should Do After the CRS Spike
Candidates with CRS scores between 516 and 522 who missed this round should not assume the cutoff will remain at 523 in future draws, because a return to 2,000 or 3,000 invitations would bring the cutoff back down toward the 514 to 518 band.
Provincial nominee programs across Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba remain active pathways for candidates whose CRS scores fall below the CEC cutoff, with the Ontario Workforce Priority stream now accepting new registrations as of August 4.
Candidates who do not meet CEC eligibility but have strong French-language skills should consider the French-language proficiency category, which has offered CRS cutoffs as low as 391 in recent 2026 draws.
Retaking IELTS or CELPIP to improve individual band scores remains the fastest way to gain CRS points without changing any other profile factor.
Processing Times for CEC Permanent Residence Applications
The latest IRCC processing time data from August 10, 2026, shows the Canadian Experience Class processing at approximately six months for permanent residence decisions.
Candidates who receive invitations in the August 18 draw can expect their permanent residency approvals to arrive in early to mid-2027 based on the current processing window.
The CEC queue contracted by 1,800 applicants in the latest reporting cycle even as the processing timeline held steady, indicating that IRCC is clearing CEC applications at a pace that matches or slightly exceeds the rate of new submissions.
Applicants who submit incomplete documentation remain one of the leading causes of processing delays and refusals across all economic immigration categories.
The August 18 CEC draw marks a significant shift in Express Entry invitation volumes, with the smallest CEC round of 2026 pushing the CRS cutoff to a new yearly high of 523.
Whether this reduced volume becomes the new baseline or represents a one-round adjustment will become clear when the next CEC draw is conducted.
Follow Immigration News Canada for verified draw results, CRS score analysis, and Canadian immigration news as they are released by IRCC.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the CRS cutoff for the August 18, 2026, Express Entry draw?
The CRS cutoff was 523 points for the Canadian Experience Class draw on August 18, 2026, with 1,000 invitations to apply issued to candidates with skilled work experience in Canada.
Why did the CRS cutoff jump from 516 to 523?
The seven-point increase was caused by IRCC reducing the invitation volume from 3,000 in the August 5 CEC draw to just 1,000 on August 18, which means only the highest-ranked candidates in the pool received invitations in this round.
Will the CRS cutoff stay at 523 in future CEC draws?
Not necessarily, because the cutoff is directly tied to the number of invitations IRCC issues in each round, and a return to 2,000 or 3,000 invitations would likely bring the cutoff back toward the 514 to 518 range that held from April through early August.
Is a job offer required for the Canadian Experience Class?
No, a valid job offer is not required for CEC eligibility, but candidates must have at least 12 months of skilled work experience in Canada within the three years before submitting their permanent residence application.
When is the next Express Entry draw expected after August 18?
A French-language proficiency draw or another category-based draw is expected within one to two days to complete the second August cluster, based on the draw pattern IRCC has maintained throughout 2026.
Fact-Checked: All data in this article was verified against the official Express Entry rounds of invitations page published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on August 18, 2026, and cross-referenced with pool snapshot data released on August 16, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is published for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional immigration advice.
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- New Health Insurance Increase For International Students At Ontario Universities
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)International students enrolled at over 20 UHIP-participating Ontario universities will pay significantly more for mandatory health insurance starting this fall.
The University Health Insurance Plan has officially announced a premium increase of nearly 20% for the 2026-27 policy year, raising the monthly rate from $66 to $79 per person effective September 1, 2026.
That brings the full 12-month cost from $792 to $948, an increase of $156 that will affect tens of thousands of students across 22 participating Ontario universities.
The increase arrives during a period of broader changes to Canada’s international student framework, including reduced study permit allocations and tighter eligibility rules for post-graduation pathways.
Students with dependents face even steeper total costs, with a family of three or more now paying $2,844 for full-year coverage under the updated rate structure.
Table of Contents
What Changed In The UHIP Premium For 2026-27
UHIP confirmed the premium adjustment in an official update published on its website, citing rising healthcare costs and claims as the primary drivers behind the decision.
The monthly per-person rate climbs from $66 under the 2025-26 plan to $79 under the 2026-27 plan, representing a 19.7% increase.
Multiple universities have independently published the updated figures on their official fee pages, including the University of Toronto, York University, Queen’s University, and Ontario Tech University.
Queen’s University specifically confirmed that the premium rate has increased to $79 per month per person effective September 1, 2026.
Ontario Tech University’s official page provides the clearest side-by-side comparison, explicitly listing $66 per month for 2025-26 alongside $79 per month for 2026-27.
The new rates apply to the full policy year running from September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027, and all published amounts include 8% tax.
New UHIP Rates For 2026-27
The following table shows the complete rate structure for the 2026-27 UHIP policy year compared to the outgoing 2025-26 rates.
Coverage Type 2025-26 Rate 2026-27 Rate Increase Change Per Person / Month $66 $79 +$13 +19.7% Full 12 Months $792 $948 +$156 +19.7% Student + 1 dependent $1,584 $1,896 +$312 +19.7% Student + 2+ dependents $2,376 $2,844 +$468 +19.7% Students who begin their studies in January 2027 will pay $632 for eight months of coverage, while those starting in May 2027 will pay $316 for four months.
These prorated amounts also apply proportionally to dependants, with a student plus one dependant paying $1,264 for January starts and $632 for May starts.
UHIP Costs By Start Date For 2026-27
Start Date Student Only Student + 1 Student + 2+ September 2026 (12 months) $948 $1,896 $2,844 January 2027 (8 months) $632 $1,264 $1,896 May 2027 (4 months) $316 $632 $948 Why UHIP Premiums Increased For 2026-27
UHIP attributed the premium adjustment to rising healthcare costs and claims, consistent with the plan’s annual review cycle.
The plan operates on an annual review cycle where premiums may change each September 1 based on actual claims experience and projected increases in overall healthcare delivery costs.
Ontario’s healthcare system has faced sustained cost pressures throughout 2026, with the province expanding access to pharmacist consultations, lowering cancer screening ages, and broadening OHIP-covered services in multiple rounds of regulatory changes this year.
The federal government also raised the excessive demand cost threshold for health services in 2026, reflecting the broader upward trajectory of publicly funded healthcare expenditures across Canada.
UHIP is insured by Manulife and administered by Cowan Insurance Group, which makes it distinct from the Ontario Health Insurance Plan that covers Canadian citizens and permanent residents but generally excludes international students.
All 22 Participating Ontario Universities
UHIP’s official FAQ identifies 22 Ontario universities that participate in the plan, meaning the new $948 annual premium applies system-wide rather than on an institution-by-institution basis.
Because this is a centrally administered rate change, a participating university does not need to separately publish the updated fee before the UHIP rate takes effect for its students.
University University University Algoma University Lakehead University Trent University Brock University Laurentian University Université de l’Ontario français Carleton University McMaster University University of Guelph Nipissing University OCAD University University of Ottawa Ontario Tech University Queen’s University University of Toronto Royal Military College Saint Paul University University of Waterloo Toronto Metropolitan University Wilfrid Laurier University Western University York University The participating institutions range from large research universities such as the University of Toronto and McMaster University to smaller regional institutions like Algoma University and Nipissing University.
International students planning to study at any of these universities should factor the updated UHIP cost into their overall budget alongside tuition, housing, and other mandatory ancillary fees.
Universities That Have Already Published The New Rate
At least 16 of the 22 participating universities have already published the updated $948 annual rate or $79 monthly rate on their official fee and insurance pages.
The University of Toronto’s School of Graduate Studies and the Institute of Medical Science both list $948 for 2026-27 on their international student pages.
York University, Carleton University, the University of Ottawa, the University of Waterloo, and Western University all confirm the $948 figure on their respective international student portals.
Wilfrid Laurier University, Trent University, Brock University, Algoma University, Lakehead University, Nipissing University, and Laurentian University have similarly updated their published rates.
The Université de l’Ontario français lists the $948 rate and the $79 monthly breakdown on its tuition and ancillary fees page.
Universities that have not yet surfaced the dollar amount on their searchable web pages, such as McMaster University, still participate in the UHIP system and will apply the centrally determined rate to eligible students and their dependents.
How The Increase Affects Students With Dependents
The premium increase is not limited to individual students because UHIP coverage extends to eligible dependents on a mandatory basis at participating institutions.
A student enrolling in September 2026 with one dependent will pay $1,896 for the year, up from $1,584 under the previous rate, an increase of $312.
A student with two or more dependents faces a total of $2,844, which represents an increase of $468 over the 2025-26 cost of $2,376.
At institutions like the University of Ottawa, eligible international students and their dependants are required to have UHIP, although students must initially enroll their dependants; their coverage is then automatically renewed each year.
The dependent cost structure adds considerable financial pressure for students who are also navigating tighter spousal work permit eligibility rules that took effect in January 2025 and continue to shape family budgets in 2026.
Who Must Enroll In UHIP
UHIP is mandatory for eligible international students, their dependants, and certain employees at the 22 participating Ontario universities.
Enrollment is tied to registration at a participating institution, and students are typically auto-enrolled when they begin or continue their studies.
UHIP provides medical coverage that mirrors elements of the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, since international students are generally not eligible for OHIP during their studies.
The plan covers eligible hospital care, physician services, diagnostic and laboratory services, emergency care, and certain other medically necessary services within Ontario and across Canada.
Limited exemptions are available for students with qualifying provincial health coverage, diplomatic status, or certain UHIP-approved or government-sponsored plans, and the exemption process varies by institution.
Ontario college students are not automatically covered under UHIP because the plan is specifically tied to participating universities and their affiliated institutions, not the broader post-secondary system.
What Students Should Know Before September
Students returning to or arriving at any of the 22 participating universities in September 2026 should update their personal budgets to reflect the new $948 annual cost.
Those with dependents need to account for the multiplied premium, particularly if their spouse or partner is also adjusting to changes in open work permit eligibility that have limited family income options.
Students who believe they qualify for a UHIP exemption based on provincial health coverage, diplomatic status, or an approved government-sponsored plan should contact their university’s international student office well before the enrollment deadline.
Premium payments are typically charged as part of a student’s ancillary fees, meaning the cost appears on tuition invoices rather than as a separate transaction.
New students planning their arrival should also familiarize themselves with the fastest pathway to Canadian citizenship and common permanent residency mistakes to build a long-term strategy that accounts for all costs and timelines.
A 20% increase in mandatory health insurance is a material cost change for any student budgeting their year in Ontario.
The $156 annual increase per person may seem modest in isolation, but it compounds quickly for students with families and becomes one more line item in an already expensive academic year.
Students should verify the specific UHIP payment schedule at their university, confirm whether exemptions are available in their circumstances, and build the updated cost into their financial plans before September 1.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does UHIP cost for international students starting in September 2026?
The annual premium for a single student starting in September 2026 is $948, which breaks down to $79 per month, including 8% tax, covering the full policy year through August 31, 2027.
Can international students opt out of UHIP at Ontario universities?
UHIP enrollment is mandatory by default at all 22 participating institutions, and ordinary private insurance is not sufficient for an exemption, but limited exemptions exist for students with qualifying provincial health coverage, diplomatic status, or certain UHIP-approved or government-sponsored plans.
Does UHIP cover dependants of international students?
Yes, UHIP coverage extends to eligible dependants, though students must actively enroll their dependants initially rather than relying on automatic enrollment, with the premium charged at $1,896 for one dependant and $2,844 for two or more dependants for a full September start.
Are Ontario college students also affected by this UHIP increase?
No, UHIP is specifically tied to participating Ontario universities and their affiliated institutions, so college students covered through separate private insurance arrangements are not directly affected by this rate change.
Why did UHIP premiums increase by nearly 20% for 2026-27?
UHIP cited rising healthcare costs and claims as the reasons for the premium adjustment, with the plan operating on an annual review cycle where premiums may change each September based on claims experience and projected healthcare cost increases.
Fact-Checked: All rates, dates, and participating university data in this article have been verified against the official UHIP announcement published at uhip.ca, the UHIP FAQ listing 22 participating universities, the UHIP coverage details page confirming Manulife as insurer and Cowan Insurance Group as administrator, Queen’s University International Centre’s confirmation of the $79 monthly rate effective September 1, 2026, Ontario Tech University’s explicit $66-to-$79 comparison, and the University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies’ published $948 figure for 2026-27, all as of August 18, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is published by Immigration News Canada for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or immigration advice; readers should consult with a licensed professional for advice specific to their situation.
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- New Uber Minimum Fares Increase In B.C. Effective August 18
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)British Columbia is raising the floor on what ride-hailing companies can charge passengers across the province with the new minimum fare increase effective August 18, 2026.
The Passenger Transportation Board announced the updated transportation network services minimum rates on February 18, 2026, giving companies like Uber and Lyft a six-month runway to reprogram their platforms.
This is the first time B.C. has adjusted ride-hailing minimum fares since the province introduced regulated ride-hailing in 2019.
Every one of the five passenger transportation regions will see a higher minimum rate, and one region is getting a standardized region-wide minimum fare for the first time.
Victoria and the surrounding Capital Regional District will absorb the steepest jump, with the minimum fare climbing 77.4% from $3.40 to $6.03.
Table of Contents
What the Passenger Transportation Board Changed
The Passenger Transportation Board is an independent administrative tribunal established under British Columbia’s Passenger Transportation Act.
It sets minimum rates that ride-hailing companies must follow whenever a passenger books a trip through an app in B.C.
Under the updated rules, no ride can be priced below the new minimum for the region where it originates.
Promotional codes, coupons, or discounts offered by platform companies also cannot push the actual fare below these floors.
That rule is explicitly stated in Rates Rule 16, which governs standard TNS pricing across the province.
Licensees were not required to wait until August 18 to adopt the new minimums.
They have been free to update their platforms at any point since the Board published the rates in February 2026.
New Region-by-Region Minimum Fare Breakdown
The following table shows the current and new minimum ride-hailing fares for each of B.C.’s five passenger transportation regions.
Region Major Areas Current Rate New Rate (Aug 18) Change Region 1 Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Squamish-Lillooet $3.35 $4.43 +32.2% Region 2 Capital Regional District (Victoria) $3.40 $6.03 +77.4% Region 3 Nanaimo, Comox Valley, Cowichan Valley, Alberni-Clayoquot $3.40 $3.94 +15.9% Region 4 Okanagan, Kootenays, Kamloops, Cariboo $3.50 $3.95 +12.9% Region 5 Prince George, Northern B.C., Sunshine Coast N/A $3.80 New Why Victoria Faces the Largest Increase
The Capital Regional District stands out as the region absorbing the most significant fare adjustment in this round of changes.
Victoria’s minimum ride-hailing fare jumps from $3.40 to $6.03, an increase of $2.63 per trip at the floor level.
The Board uses two inputs to calculate minimum rates in each region.
One is regional public transit fare data, which ensures ride-hailing prices remain above average transit costs to protect public transit ridership.
The other is a percentile analysis of actual TNS trip fares submitted by licensed companies from the prior calendar year.
The Board sets the minimum at whichever of these two values is higher in each region.
Victoria’s transit fare structure and the distribution of actual ride-hailing prices in the Capital Regional District produced the highest calculated floor across all five regions.
What Metro Vancouver Riders Should Expect
Region 1 covers Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District.
The minimum fare in this region rises from $3.35 to $4.43, which represents a 32.2% increase.
This is the most heavily used ride-hailing market in the province, with the largest concentration of Uber and Lyft drivers.
Riders who typically book short trips during off-peak hours may notice that their app-quoted fares no longer dip as low as before.
Surge pricing during peak demand will continue to apply above the new minimums, as British Columbia has never imposed a cap on maximum ride-hailing fares.
Smaller Increases in Island, Interior, and Northern Regions
Region 3 includes mid and northern Vancouver Island communities like Nanaimo, Comox Valley, and Alberni-Clayoquot.
The fare floor in this region moves from $3.40 to $3.94, a 15.9% increase.
Region 4 spans the Interior, covering the Okanagan, Kootenays, Kamloops area, and Cariboo.
Riders in this region see the smallest percentage increase at 12.9%, with the fare floor going from $3.50 to $3.95.
Region 5 covers Northern B.C. including Prince George, the Sunshine Coast, the North Coast, and the Northern Rockies.
Region 5 previously did not have a standardized region-wide minimum fare, with minimum rates instead determined on a case-by-case basis.
Effective August 18, the Board is establishing a uniform $3.80 minimum across the region.
The decision to add Region 5 means every part of British Columbia where ride-hailing operates will now have a regulated price floor.
Why These Rates Had Not Changed Since 2019
British Columbia first authorized ride-hailing companies to operate in the province in late 2019 and early 2020.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the passenger transportation industry so severely that the Board lacked sufficient trip data to analyze and revise rates for several years.
Over the past two years, the Board’s trip database has grown comprehensive enough to support rate decisions based on actual market conditions.
The Board consulted with ride-hailing companies throughout 2025 before finalizing the updated schedule.
Going forward, the Board will review and update minimum ride-hailing fares on an annual basis to keep pace with inflation, transit fare changes, and shifts in market pricing.
How the Passenger Transportation Board Calculates Minimums
The Board’s rate-setting methodology rests on two pillars designed to serve distinct regulatory objectives.
The first pillar uses public transit fare data from across British Columbia.
This calculation ensures that ride-hailing minimum rates stay above average public transit costs so that cheap app-based rides do not undercut bus and rail ridership.
The second pillar draws on TNS fare percentile data from the Board’s trip database, which contains fare submissions from licensed companies in each region.
This analysis provides a market-based backstop against predatory pricing or a temporary collapse in fares during periods of oversupply.
The Board applies whichever value is higher as the final minimum for each region.
What This Means for Passengers and Drivers
Passengers booking rides through Uber, Lyft, or any other licensed ride-hailing app in British Columbia agree to an upfront or estimated fare before the trip begins.
That quoted fare must meet or exceed the minimum rate set by the Board for the region where the trip starts.
Ride-hailing companies retain full flexibility to price trips above the minimums using dynamic or surge-based pricing algorithms.
For longer trips or rides during busy periods where the quoted fare already exceeds the new minimum, passengers may see little or no practical difference from the change.
The impact is concentrated on ultra-short trips and off-peak bookings where fares occasionally dropped close to the old floor price.
Ride-hailing drivers in British Columbia already earn a separate minimum wage of $21.89 per hour of engaged time as of June 1, 2026, along with per-kilometre vehicle allowances.
The minimum fare change adjusts what passengers pay at the lowest end of the pricing scale, which is separate from the driver compensation framework governed by B.C.’s Employment Standards Regulation.
How to Check Your Region
British Columbia divides the province into five passenger transportation regions based on regional district boundaries.
The Passenger Transportation Board publishes an interactive map and full list of regional districts on its website at ptboard.bc.ca.
If you live in Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Langley, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, or Whistler, your rides fall under Region 1 with a $4.43 minimum.
Victoria, Saanich, Esquimalt, Langford, and the rest of the Capital Regional District are governed by Region 2’s $6.03 floor.
Residents of Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, Kamloops, or anywhere in the Kootenays fall under Region 4 at $3.95.
For complaints about a ride-hailing service, the Board directs passengers to the appropriate agency through its website rather than handling individual dispute cases directly.
Annual Rate Reviews Starting in 2027
The Passenger Transportation Board confirmed that ride-hailing minimum rates will now be reviewed and updated every year.
Each annual review will incorporate the latest public transit fare data and fresh TNS trip database submissions from all licensed operators in British Columbia.
This annual cycle mirrors the approach the province already applies to minimum wage adjustments, which are indexed to the previous year’s inflation rate and take effect each June 1.
Riders and drivers across the province can expect future fare floor changes to follow a predictable timetable rather than the seven-year gap that preceded this update.
British Columbia’s decision to raise ride-hailing minimum fares across all five regions marks the end of a seven-year freeze that stretched back to the launch of regulated TNS in the province.
The August 18 effective date arrives during a month already packed with federal and provincial regulatory changes affecting workers, consumers, and businesses across the country.
Passengers in every corner of the province should review their region’s new minimum before their next ride-hailing booking to understand how the updated floor may affect their fares.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does the new minimum fare apply to food delivery orders placed through ride-hailing apps?
No, the Passenger Transportation Board’s minimum rate rules apply only to passenger rides booked through transportation network services apps. Food delivery pricing through platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or SkipTheDishes is not governed by these fare minimums and is set independently by each company.
Can Uber or Lyft apply a promotional discount that brings my fare below the new minimum?
No, Rates Rule 16 explicitly prohibits coupons or discounts from reducing the passenger’s fare below the minimum rate for the region. Companies can still offer discounts on rides, but the final fare charged to the passenger must meet or exceed the applicable floor.
Will the new minimum fares make ride-hailing more expensive than taking a taxi in B.C.?
Taxi rates are set separately through a different regulatory framework, and taxi flag rates vary by municipality. In most cases, the updated ride-hailing minimums remain competitive with or lower than equivalent taxi flag rates, but individual trip costs depend on distance, time, and surge pricing conditions.
How does the new $6.03 minimum in Victoria compare to ride-hailing costs in other Canadian cities?
Ride-hailing regulations vary considerably across Canada, so Victoria’s $6.03 minimum cannot be directly compared with every major city using a single national standard. B.C.’s Passenger Transportation Board sets its minimum fares using regional transit fares and actual ride-hailing fare data, which is a methodology other provinces may not replicate.
Are ride-hailing companies required to display the minimum fare to passengers before they book?
B.C.’s employment standards regulations require that ride-hailing platforms disclose estimated earnings and trip details to drivers before they accept an assignment. Passengers always see an upfront or estimated fare in the app before confirming a ride, and that quoted amount must comply with the applicable regional minimum.
Fact-Checked: All rates, percentages, regional boundaries, effective dates, and regulatory details in this article are verified against official Passenger Transportation Board publications at ptboard.bc.ca, the Board’s February 18, 2026 bulletin on new TNS minimum rates, the Board’s passenger transportation regions page, and the B.C. Employment Standards Regulation as of August 17, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or regulatory advice. Actual ride-hailing fares depend on distance, time, demand conditions, and individual platform pricing algorithms. Readers should verify regional classifications and current rates through the Passenger Transportation Board’s official website.
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- August 17 Express Entry Draw Issues 442 PR Invitations
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued 442 invitations to apply for permanent residence through a Provincial Nominee Program Express Entry draw on August 17, 2026.
The Comprehensive Ranking System cutoff for this round was 760 points, which is eight points lower than the 768 required in the previous PNP draw held on August 4.
This is the 47th Express Entry draw of 2026 and the fourth round of invitations issued so far in August, opening the second draw cluster of the month.
The draw brings the total number of Express Entry invitations issued in 2026 to approximately 113,865 across all draw categories combined.
Below is a complete breakdown of the draw results, how they compare to earlier PNP rounds in 2026, what the latest pool snapshot reveals, and what candidates should expect in the coming days.
Table of Contents
August 17 Express Entry PNP Draw Results
The table below summarizes every detail of the August 17 Provincial Nominee Program Express Entry draw conducted by IRCC.
Draw Detail Value Program Provincial Nominee Program Date and Time August 17, 2026, at 12:33:42 UTC Number of Invitations Issued 442 CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate 760 Rank Needed 442 or above Tie-Breaking Rule August 07, 2026, at 18:01:56 UTC Candidates who scored exactly 760 only received invitations if they submitted their Express Entry profiles before August 7, 2026, at 18:01:56 UTC.
Anyone with a CRS score above 760 received an invitation regardless of their profile submission date or time.
What a CRS Score of 760 Means for PNP Candidates
A provincial nomination adds 600 points to a candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System score inside the Express Entry pool.
The practical interpretation of a 760 cutoff is that candidates needed a base CRS score of at least 160 before the nomination boost was applied.
This threshold remains accessible for the majority of provincial nominees because a base score of 160 can be achieved with modest combinations of age, education, language ability, and Canadian work experience.
The drop from 768 on August 4 to 760 on August 17 signals that a slightly larger volume of nominees with higher base scores has entered the Express Entry pool since the first PNP draw of the month.
When provinces issue new nominations in batches, the CRS cutoff for PNP draws tends to shift in the following round because the pool composition changes between draws.
How This Draw Compares to Earlier PNP Rounds in 2026
IRCC has conducted PNP-specific Express Entry draws at the start of nearly every draw cluster throughout 2026.
PNP invitation volumes have fluctuated between 264 and 955 invitations per round this year, depending on how many fresh nominations provinces released into the system.
The CRS cutoff range for PNP draws in 2026 has spanned from a low of 708 on July 6 to a high of 805 on May 25, reflecting the shifting composition of nominees across provincial programs.
The August 17 draw at CRS 760 with 442 invitations falls squarely within the established pattern for second-cluster PNP rounds this year.
Date Program ITAs CRS Cutoff August 17, 2026 PNP 442 760 August 4, 2026 PNP 507 768 July 20, 2026 PNP 511 744 July 6, 2026 PNP 534 708 PNP cutoffs are driven almost entirely by the volume and timing of provincial nominations entering the Express Entry system rather than by changes in individual candidate quality.
Latest CRS Score Distribution in the Express Entry Pool
IRCC published the most recent Express Entry pool snapshot as of August 16, 2026, one day before this draw was conducted.
The Express Entry pool contained 226,859 candidates as of that date, a net decline of approximately 2,241 profiles from the 229,100 recorded on August 3.
The table below presents the full CRS score distribution breakdown that was active in the pool at the time this draw was conducted.
CRS Score Range Number of Candidates 601-1200 439 501-600 18,657 451-500 73,554 491-500 12,915 481-490 13,066 471-480 16,626 461-470 16,133 451-460 14,814 401-450 60,631 441-450 13,555 431-440 13,229 421-430 11,890 411-420 11,269 401-410 10,688 351-400 48,600 301-350 17,269 0-300 7,709 Total 226,859 The numbers in this table reflect the total number of candidates in the pool overall, captured a few days before this invitation round was held.
The score distribution changes continuously as new candidates submit profiles and existing profiles expire after 12 months in the system.
Sub-rows that appear indented in the table are detailed breakdowns of the bold total shown immediately above them in each CRS score range.
What Draws Are Expected to Follow This Week
IRCC has been following a draw cluster pattern recently where a PNP draw opens the week, followed by additional rounds in subsequent days.
Based on the cluster architecture used in every preceding month, a Canadian Experience Class draw is expected within the next one to two days.
A French-language proficiency draw or another category-based draw is then expected to close the cluster before the end of the week.
IRCC does not publish draw schedules in advance and can change timing, category, or invitation volumes at any time without notice.
Candidates should monitor the official IRCC rounds of invitations page daily during active draw weeks to catch results as they are published.
How to Secure a Provincial Nomination in 2026
The 2026 to 2028 Immigration Levels Plan increased provincial nominee admission targets to 91,500 for this year, a 66% rebound from the reduced allocation in 2025.
Ontario launched the Ontario Workforce Priority stream on August 4, 2026, replacing all eight former OINP streams with a single unified pathway.
Candidates interested in Ontario can use the free OINP calculator to estimate their expression of interest score before registering in the new system.
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan have all conducted aggressive draw schedules through the first seven months of 2026 with significant nomination room remaining.
Candidates who hold a provincial nomination receive the 600-point CRS boost that makes PNP Express Entry draws the most structurally reliable pathway to permanent residence in the current system.
Current Processing Times for Express Entry Applications
The latest IRCC processing time data released on August 10 shows the Canadian Experience Class processing at approximately six months for permanent residence decisions.
Candidates who receive invitations in the August 2026 draws can expect their permanent residency approvals to arrive in early to mid-2027 based on current timelines.
IRCC calculates these timelines using actual applicant outcomes and reports the window within which 80% of applicants received a decision on their permanent residence applications.
Applicants who submit incomplete documentation remain one of the leading causes of processing delays and refusals across all economic immigration categories.
The August 17 PNP draw confirms that IRCC is maintaining its cluster-based invitation strategy as the second half of 2026 progresses.
Additional draws are expected within the coming days to complete this cluster before the next pause in activity.
Follow Immigration News Canada for verified draw results, CRS score analysis, and provincial nominee program updates as they are released by IRCC.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the CRS cutoff for the August 17, 2026, Express Entry draw?
The CRS cutoff was 760 points for the Provincial Nominee Program draw conducted on August 17, 2026, with 442 invitations to apply issued to candidates holding valid provincial nominations.
How long do candidates have to submit their permanent residence application after receiving an ITA?
Candidates who receive an invitation to apply through any Express Entry draw have exactly 60 calendar days to submit a complete permanent residence application to IRCC.
Can candidates apply to multiple provincial nominee programs simultaneously?
Yes, candidates can submit expressions of interest or applications to multiple provincial nominee programs across different provinces at the same time, as each province operates its own independent selection criteria and nomination process.
Does a provincial nomination guarantee an Express Entry invitation?
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points to an Express Entry profile, which has been sufficient to receive an invitation in every PNP draw conducted in 2026, though IRCC does not guarantee invitations in future rounds.
When is the next Express Entry draw expected after August 17?
Based on the draw cluster pattern IRCC has followed throughout 2026, a Canadian Experience Class draw is expected within one to two days of the August 17 PNP round, followed by a category-based draw to close the cluster.
Fact-Check Sources: All data in this article was verified against the official Express Entry rounds of invitations page published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on August 17, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is published for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional immigration advice.
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- New Canada FMCSP Study Permit Intake Opens August 26 With 2,970 Spots
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is set to open a fresh annual intake under the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot on August 26, 2026, accepting up to 2,970 study permit applications from eligible French-speaking applicants from 33 countries.
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab signed an updated public policy on June 25, 2026, replacing the previous September 2025 framework and locking in the third consecutive year of intake under a pilot that has quietly become one of Canada’s most generous permanent residence pathways.
The FMCSP is not a brand-new program, and that distinction matters for applicants tracking their options.
IRCC originally launched the pilot on August 26, 2024, with a first-year cap of 2,300 study permit applications targeting French-speaking international students from regions with historically high refusal rates across Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas.
What changed in 2026 is the legal instrument governing the pilot and the activation of a new 12-month intake window that runs until August 25, 2027.
This article covers every confirmed detail about the 2026-2027 intake period, the updated policy framework, the full list of eligible countries, the path from study permit to permanent residence, and how the pilot compares to other PR pathways available in 2026.
Table of Contents
What Actually Changed in the June 2026 Policy Update
The updated public policy signed by Minister Diab on June 25, 2026, formally revokes and replaces the earlier version signed on September 18, 2025, according to the official policy document published on canada.ca.
Three substantive changes define the 2026 update.
First, the policy now specifies processing caps for two intake years in a single instrument: 2,970 applications for the period between August 26, 2025, and August 25, 2026, plus another 2,970 for the period between August 26, 2026, and August 25, 2027.
Second, Part A of the temporary public policy now carries an expiration date of August 25, 2027, which extends the study permit intake window by one full year beyond the original August 2026 end date.
Third, the companion policy governing permanent residence eligibility and open work permits was also updated and re-signed on the same date, with its expiry now set at November 30, 2032, as confirmed in the updated PR public policy.
Applications submitted under the earlier 2025 policy version that were received between August 26, 2025, and the effective date of the new policy count toward the Year 2 cap, ensuring no applicant is penalized by the administrative transition between policy versions.
How the Temporary-to-Permanent Residence Pathway Works
IRCC itself describes the FMCSP as a temporary-residence-to-permanent-residence pathway, and that framing is critical for understanding why this pilot operates differently from the conventional PGWP-to-PR route most international students follow.
The entry point is a study permit issued under the FMCSP, not a regular study permit.
An applicant arrives in Canada as a temporary resident, enrolls at a participating designated learning institution outside Quebec, and completes a full-time program of at least two years that is taught primarily in French and leads to a degree or diploma.
Upon completing that credential, the graduate becomes eligible to apply for permanent residence directly under the FMCSP’s dedicated PR public policy without needing a job offer or a post-graduation work permit.
IRCC currently states that the permanent residence application component of the FMCSP is scheduled to open in winter 2027, which means the August 26 intake date applies to the study permit entry point and not to PR applications.
Graduates who submit a PR application can also apply for an FMCSP-specific open work permit valid for up to three years, allowing them to work anywhere in Canada outside Quebec while their permanent residence application is in processing, according to the latest IRCC updates on the program.
This structure eliminates several barriers that trip up graduates on conventional pathways, where a PGWP holder must accumulate Canadian work experience and then compete in Express Entry, where CEC cutoffs have remained highly competitive in 2026.
Annual Intake Caps Since Launch
The FMCSP has operated with modest but steadily maintained caps since its August 2024 launch.
Intake Year Period Application Cap Year 1 Aug 26, 2024 – Aug 25, 2025 2,300 Year 2 Aug 26, 2025 – Aug 25, 2026 2,970 Year 3 Aug 26, 2026 – Aug 25, 2027 2,970 Applications received in excess of a given year’s cap are not accepted for processing and are returned to the applicant, making submission timing a strategic consideration for anyone planning to apply when the new intake opens on August 26.
Eligibility Requirements for the 2026-2027 Intake
The eligibility criteria for the FMCSP study permit remain structurally unchanged from the original 2024 framework, though applicants should verify every requirement against the current policy instrument.
Citizenship Requirement
Applicants must hold citizenship in one of 33 countries that were members of l’Organisation internationale de la Francophonie within world regions with historically high study permit refusal rates at the time the original policy took effect on August 26, 2024.
The eligible countries span three regions: 28 African nations, including Senegal, Cameroon, Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, and Tunisia; two Middle Eastern countries, Egypt and Lebanon; and three nations in the Americas, Haiti, Dominica, and Saint Lucia.
Applicants already in Canada cannot apply through the FMCSP, as the study permit application must be submitted from outside Canada before entry, a requirement that distinguishes this pilot from pathways available to international students already studying in Canada.
Letter of Acceptance
Applicants need a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution that has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IRCC to participate in the FMCSP.
The letter must confirm three things: the applicant is applying under the FMCSP, the program is at least two years in duration on a full-time basis, and the program is taught primarily in French with more than 50% of classes delivered in that language.
The program must lead to a degree or diploma upon completion, and the DLI must hold its FMCSP signatory status both when the application is submitted and when the study permit is issued.
There are currently 17 participating DLIs across provinces including Ontario, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia.
French Language Proficiency
Every applicant must submit results from an approved French language test showing a minimum score of NCLC Level 5 in all four language abilities: speaking, listening, reading, and writing, according to the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens scale, which is a notably lower threshold than the NCLC 7 generally required under Express Entry French-language proficiency draws.
Test results must be under two years old at the time of application.
Financial Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate two separate financial thresholds: the ability to cover their first year of tuition and travel costs, plus sufficient and available financial resources totaling at least 75% of the low-income cut-off associated with the municipality where the participating DLI’s main campus is located.
This financial requirement is specific to the FMCSP and differs from the standard study permit financial proof structure that applies to other international students.
No Provincial Attestation Letter Required
One of the most significant administrative advantages of the FMCSP is that applicants do not need a provincial attestation letter or territorial attestation letter when applying for a study permit.
This exemption simplifies the application process considerably at a time when PAL requirements continue to shape the broader landscape for international students applying to Canadian institutions.
From Study Permit to Permanent Residence
The permanent residence component of the FMCSP is governed by a separate but companion public policy that was also updated and re-signed on June 25, 2026.
This policy expires on November 30, 2032, providing a substantial runway for graduates to complete their programs and submit PR applications.
To qualify for permanent residence under the FMCSP, an applicant must have completed all requirements of a full-time program of at least two years, leading to a degree or diploma, taught primarily in French at a DLI that held FMCSP signatory status when the study permit was issued.
The applicant must reside in Canada outside Quebec, hold valid temporary resident status or have applied for restoration, and intend to reside in a province or territory other than Quebec.
No job offer is required, which distinguishes the FMCSP from many employer-driven and provincial immigration pathways that dominate current PR intake.
The PR application must include either a copy of the degree or diploma or a letter from the DLI confirming successful completion if the credential has not yet been formally issued.
Family members, including spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children, can be included in the PR application and are eligible for their own temporary resident facilitation under the pilot.
FMCSP-Specific Open Work Permit
Graduates who submit a permanent residence application under the FMCSP can simultaneously apply for a dedicated open work permit valid for up to three years.
This open work permit is not a standard PGWP and operates under different legal authority, specifically under the FMCSP’s own public policy exemptions from the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
The work permit allows graduates to work for any employer in any occupation anywhere in Canada outside Quebec while their PR application is being processed, which is particularly relevant given that IRCC processing times for permanent residence continue to vary significantly by program.
Spouses and common-law partners of FMCSP principal applicants are also eligible to apply for open work permits under the same policy framework.
How the FMCSP Compares to Other PR Pathways in 2026
The FMCSP occupies a distinct position in Canada’s immigration system because it combines study permit facilitation with a direct PR pathway in a single integrated framework.
Feature FMCSP vs. Conventional Route Job offer required for PR Not required under FMCSP; typically required under most PNP streams French proficiency threshold NCLC 5 under FMCSP; NCLC 7 for Express Entry French draws Post-graduation work authorization Dedicated FMCSP open work permit up to 3 years; standard PGWP under regular route Provincial attestation letter Not required for FMCSP; required for most other study permits PR application pathway Direct application under FMCSP policy; CEC or PNP required under regular route CRS score competition No CRS involvement; CEC cutoffs highly competitive in 2026 For candidates weighing their options, the FMCSP’s combination of a lower language threshold, no job offer requirement, and no CRS competition makes it one of the most accessible PR pathways available in 2026, alongside the one-time In-Canada Workers Initiative and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot.
How to Apply When the Intake Opens on August 26
All applications must be submitted online through the IRCC secure account using the electronic forms designated for the FMCSP.
When completing the application, applicants must select the option indicating they meet an exception from submitting a provincial or territorial attestation letter.
French language test results must be uploaded through the IRCC secure account in the Proof of Language Test Results field.
The study permit application fee is $150, consistent with the standard processing fee for all Canadian study permit applications.
IRCC bases processing estimates on actual applicant outcomes, reporting the window within which 80% of applicants received a decision, and the latest processing time data suggests study permit timelines have been trending favourably in several categories.
After biometrics are received, IRCC will ask the designated learning institution to verify the letter of acceptance, and applications where the DLI does not respond by the deadline will be returned with a refund of the processing fee, as outlined on the IRCC after-you-apply page.
The August 26, 2026, intake represents the third consecutive year of a pilot that has quietly built one of the most streamlined study-to-PR pipelines in Canadian immigration.
For French-speaking candidates from the 33 eligible countries who are prepared to commit to a two-year program at a participating institution outside Quebec, the FMCSP offers a combination of advantages that no other single pathway in the 2026 immigration system currently matches.
Follow Immigration News Canada for continued coverage of the FMCSP intake, draw updates, and every IRCC policy change affecting permanent residence pathways in 2026 and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I apply to the FMCSP if I am already studying in Canada on a regular study permit?
No, the FMCSP study permit application must be submitted from outside Canada before entry, and applicants already holding a regular Canadian study permit are not eligible to apply through the pilot even if they meet the citizenship and language requirements.
What happens if the 2,970-application cap is reached before August 25, 2027?
IRCC will stop accepting applications for that intake year and return any applications received after the cap is reached along with a refund of the processing fee, which means early submission is strategically important for eligible candidates.
Does the FMCSP require a provincial or territorial attestation letter?
No, FMCSP applicants are exempt from the PAL/TAL requirement, which is one of the pilot’s most significant administrative advantages. However, IRCC’s March 2026 CIMM briefing confirmed that FMCSP participants do count toward Canada’s overall 2026 study permit issuance target of 408,000.
Can FMCSP graduates also apply through Express Entry instead of the dedicated PR pathway?
In principle, a graduate could apply through Express Entry if they meet all the requirements, but the FMCSP’s dedicated PR pathway offers significant advantages, including no CRS competition, no job offer requirement, and a lower language threshold of NCLC 5 compared to the NCLC 7 typically needed for French-language Express Entry draws.
How long does the PR application process take once I graduate from my FMCSP program?
IRCC has not published FMCSP-specific PR processing times because the first cohort of graduates will not complete their two-year programs until 2026 at the earliest, meaning real-world processing data will only become available as the pilot matures and applications move through the system.
Fact-Checked: All data in this article has been verified against the updated public policy for French-speaking foreign nationals applying for study permits under the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot, signed June 25, 2026, and published on canada.ca on July 21, 2026; the updated public policy to facilitate the granting of permanent residence and issuance of open work permits under the FMCSP, also signed June 25, 2026; IRCC’s official FMCSP application page, PR eligibility page.
Disclaimer: This article is published by Immigration News Canada for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice.
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New Canada Child Benefit Payment Coming This Week
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- New Canada Child Benefit Payment Coming This Week
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)The Canada Revenue Agency will be sending the next Canada Child Benefit payment to millions of families across the country this week.
Thursday, August 20, 2026, is the confirmed payment date, landing just days before back-to-school spending hits its annual peak.
This is the second monthly CCB deposit under the higher 2026-27 rates that took effect when the new benefit year launched on July 1.
Families with children under six can receive up to $679.75 per month per child, while those raising children between six and 17 are eligible for up to $573.58.
Those maximums reflect the CCB being indexed by approximately 2% for the 2026-27 benefit year to keep pace with inflation.
The August 20 deposit arrives on the same day as the Canada Disability Benefit, making Thursday a double payment date for households that qualify for both programs.
Here is a full breakdown of the August payment, how your amount is determined, the two-tier reduction system that applies as income rises, the Child Disability Benefit supplement, what to do if your payment changed unexpectedly, and the remaining CRA benefit payment dates for 2026-2027.
Table of Contents
How Much CCB Can You Receive
The CRA raised the maximum annual CCB under a confirmed 2% inflation indexation for the 2026-27 benefit year, delivering up to $160 more per child under six and up to $135 more per child aged six to 17 compared to the previous year.
For children under six years of age, the maximum annual payment is $8,157, which translates to $679.75 per month.
For children aged six through 17, the maximum annual payment is $6,883, or $573.58 per month.
A family with two children under six and adjusted family net income below $38,237 can receive up to $1,359.50 in a single monthly deposit.
A household with one child under six and one child aged six to 17 at maximum entitlement receives $1,253.33 per month, totaling $15,040 across the full benefit year.
The Government of Canada provided a specific example showing that a family with one child aged five and one child aged nine earning $65,000 will receive approximately $11,430 during 2026-27, nearly $400 more than the same family received in the prior benefit year.
The CCB is completely tax-free and does not need to be reported as income on your annual return.
Nationally, the benefit supports approximately 3.6 million families caring for six million children, delivering roughly $30 billion in annual payments across the country.
Who Qualifies For The August Payment
The CCB is available to families who live with and are primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of a child under 18.
You or your spouse or common-law partner must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, or temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the previous 18 consecutive months.
Persons registered or entitled to be registered under the Indian Act also qualify regardless of the residency duration requirement.
You and your spouse or common-law partner must each file an annual income tax return, even if one of you earned no income during the year.
The CRA uses your 2025 adjusted family net income to calculate every CCB payment from July 2026 through June 2027.
Missing or late tax filings are one of the most common reasons payments stop or arrive at an unexpectedly low amount.
If your spouse or common-law partner has not yet filed their 2025 return, the CRA may reduce or suspend your CCB until both returns are processed.
The Two-Tier Reduction System
The CCB is gradually reduced once your adjusted family net income exceeds $38,237, with the pace of reduction depending on how many eligible children are in your household.
Families earning below $38,237 receive the full maximum for every child.
Between $38,237 and $82,847, the benefit is reduced at rates that increase with the number of children.
For one child, the reduction is 7% of income above $38,237.
For two children, the rate jumps to 13.5% of income above that threshold.
Families with three children face a 19% reduction, and households with four or more children see a 23% reduction across that income range.
A second, steeper tier applies once adjusted family net income exceeds $82,847.
Above that second threshold, the reduction includes a fixed dollar amount plus a percentage of every additional dollar earned.
For one child, the formula applies a fixed $3,123 reduction plus 3.2% of income above $82,847.
Two children triggers a fixed $6,022 reduction plus 5.7% of income above the threshold.
Three children carry an $8,476 fixed reduction plus 8%, while four or more children applies a $10,260 fixed reduction plus 9.5% above $82,847.
The fixed dollar amounts represent the total reduction already accumulated across the lower income bracket, ensuring the transition between tiers is seamless rather than abrupt.
Shared Custody And How It Splits The Payment
When parents share custody of a child equally, each parent receives 50% of the CCB they would have received with full custody.
Each parent’s individual share is calculated separately using their own adjusted family net income and household composition.
This means two parents sharing custody of the same child will almost always receive different monthly amounts from the CRA because their individual incomes differ.
Parents must inform the CRA immediately when a custody arrangement changes, whether through separation, reconciliation, or a new court order.
Temporary custody changes, such as a child spending the summer with the other parent, can also affect payment eligibility for that period.
The parent gaining temporary custody can apply for payments covering that specific timeframe, and the original recipient must reapply when the child returns.
Failure to report custody changes promptly can result in overpayments that the CRA will require you to repay, sometimes by deducting from future benefit deposits.
The Child Disability Benefit Add-On
Families caring for a child who qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit may receive the Child Disability Benefit automatically alongside their CCB deposit.
For the 2026-27 benefit year, the maximum Child Disability Benefit is $3,480 per eligible child annually, or $290 per month.
This add-on is paid in full when the family’s adjusted family net income falls below $82,847.
Above that level, the Child Disability Benefit is reduced by 3.2% per dollar of income over the threshold for one DTC-eligible child and 5.7% for two or more.
A medical practitioner must complete Form T2201 to certify the child’s impairment, and the CRA must approve the application before the supplement is added to your CCB deposit.
The federal government has also proposed changes to streamline Disability Tax Credit certification for certain long-lasting medical conditions and expand who can certify some impairments, potentially making the DTC easier to access once the applicable measures take effect.
The Child Disability Benefit is separate from the adult Canada Disability Benefit administered by Service Canada, which pays up to $204.20 per month to eligible individuals between 18 and 64.
Why Your August Payment Might Differ From Expectations
Several factors can cause your August CCB deposit to land higher or lower than anticipated.
The most common trigger is the annual recalculation that occurred in July, when the CRA switched from using your 2024 tax return to your 2025 return.
If your household income rose between 2024 and 2025, you may have crossed into a higher reduction bracket even though the maximum benefit amounts increased.
A reassessment or amendment to your 2025 tax return after the original notice of assessment can also recalculate your CCB mid-year.
Changes in family composition, including the birth of a child, a child turning 18, a separation, a new common-law relationship, or a shift in custody arrangements, all prompt the CRA to adjust your payment.
The CRA sends a CCB notice whenever your payment amount changes, explaining the reason for the adjustment and the new monthly figure.
If you did not receive a notice but your deposit differs from July, check your CRA My Account for updated calculation details before contacting the agency.
Families who received a lump sum in July instead of a monthly deposit had a total annual CCB entitlement that works out to less than $20 per month, which the CRA pays as a single amount covering the entire benefit year rather than issuing twelve small deposits.
How To Apply If You Are Not Yet Receiving The CCB
Parents and guardians who are not currently enrolled in the CCB have three application methods available.
The fastest option is to apply online through the CRA My Account portal using the dedicated child benefits application feature.
Alternatively, you can complete Form RC66 and mail it to your tax centre along with any required supporting documents such as proof of birth.
Parents of newborns in participating provinces and territories can use the Automated Benefits Application built into the birth registration process, which securely shares the child’s information with the CRA.
Newcomers to Canada should also complete Form RC66SCH to verify their residency status and income information for the benefit calculation.
Processing times vary depending on how you apply.
The CRA’s service standard is up to eight weeks for digital child benefit applications and eleven weeks for paper applications, although current routine applications may be processed faster.
Families who apply late may still qualify for retroactive CCB payments.
If you are applying for a period that began more than eleven months ago, the CRA requires additional documents proving your status, Canadian residence, the child’s birth, and that you were primarily responsible for the child during the period claimed.
Remaining CCB Payment Dates Through June 2027
All remaining payments through the end of the 2026-27 benefit year will be issued at the current indexed rates based on your 2025 tax return.
The CRA generally issues CCB payments around the 20th of each month, although payment dates may be moved earlier because of weekends, holidays, or the year-end schedule.
The confirmed remaining CCB dates for 2026 are September 18, October 20, November 20, and December 11.
The December payment is issued earlier than usual to accommodate the holiday season, arriving over a week ahead of the typical 20th-of-the-month schedule.
Payment dates for January through June 2027 have not yet been published by the CRA, but the agency will add them to the official benefits payment calendar before the new calendar year begins.
Our CRA benefit payment dates for 2026-2027 guide covers every federal benefit deposit on the calendar through next June.
Recent Ontario benefit rules based on immigration status also affect provincial social assistance eligibility for households that receive the CCB alongside Ontario programs.
Summary Of August 2026 CCB Payment
The CRA will deposit the August Canada Child Benefit on Thursday, August 20, 2026, following the standard schedule of issuing payments on the 20th of each month.
When the 20th falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, the CRA moves the deposit to the last business day before that date.
August 20 falls on a Thursday, so the regular payment date applies without any adjustment.
Direct deposit recipients will typically see funds appear in their bank accounts on the morning of August 20.
Families who receive payments by cheque should wait five to ten business days before contacting the CRA if their payment has not arrived.
The August deposit is the second payment of the 2026-27 benefit year and should match the amount you received on July 20 when the increased rates first took effect.
If your family circumstances have not changed, no child has moved into a different CCB age bracket, and no reassessment of your 2025 tax return has occurred, your August payment should generally match July.
With the new indexed rates locked in and the 2025 tax return recalculation complete, families can plan their monthly finances with confidence through the rest of the benefit year.
Confirm your expected payment amount through CRA My Account and ensure all family information is current before Thursday’s deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will my August CCB payment be the same as my July payment?
Your August deposit should match July exactly if your family circumstances and tax return have not changed since the recalculation. The CRA set your 2026-27 amounts in July using your 2025 tax return and the 2% indexation adjustment, and those figures remain fixed through June 2027 unless a reassessment, change in marital status, custody shift, or child aging out triggers a recalculation.
How does shared custody affect the CCB amount each parent receives?
Each parent receives 50% of the CCB they would be entitled to if they had full custody of the child. The CRA calculates each parent’s share independently using their own adjusted family net income, so one parent may receive more than the other depending on individual earnings. Both parents must report the custody arrangement to the CRA to avoid overpayment clawbacks.
Is there a CCB payment for families in August if the total annual entitlement is very small?
If your total annual CCB entitlement works out to less than $20 per month, the CRA issues a single lump sum covering the entire benefit year on your first scheduled payment date rather than sending twelve separate small deposits. Families in this situation would have received their full entitlement in July and will not see monthly deposits for the remainder of the year.
Can newcomers to Canada receive the CCB before becoming permanent residents?
Temporary residents who have lived in Canada for at least 18 consecutive months and hold a valid permit in the 19th month can apply for the CCB. You or your spouse must meet this residency requirement along with filing a Canadian tax return. Application is through the CRA My Account or by mailing Form RC66 with the companion Form RC66SCH verifying your status and income.
What happens if I forget to report a separation or new common-law partner to the CRA?
The CRA requires immediate notification of changes to your marital status because it directly affects your adjusted family net income calculation and your CCB amount. Failing to report a separation can result in underpayments if your individual income is lower or overpayments that the CRA will recover from future benefits if your combined household income was being used incorrectly.
Fact-checked: All payment dates, maximum benefit amounts, income thresholds, reduction rates, Child Disability Benefit figures, and application details in this article are verified against the official Government of Canada benefits payment calendar, CRA CCB program publications, and the Government of Canada press release confirming 2026-2027 CCB increases issued July 20, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Individual benefit amounts depend on family income, number of children, ages of children, custody arrangements, and tax filing status. Verify your specific entitlement through CRA My Account.
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- New Canada CDB Payment Of Up To $204 In August 2026
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)Service Canada is preparing to deposit the next Canada Disability Benefit – CDB payment into bank accounts across the country in less than a week.
This marks the second consecutive month at the higher indexed rate that replaced the original $200 maximum when the 2026-27 benefit year launched in July.
Eligible recipients between the ages of 18 and 64 can receive up to $204.20 through this monthly income supplement designed for low-income Canadians with disabilities.
The August deposit also arrives at a critical time because a separate one-time $150 supplemental payment has been confirmed for September.
That supplemental amount is intended to help offset the cost of obtaining a Disability Tax Credit certificate, the mandatory gateway document for the program.
Regulations authorizing the $150 supplement were published in the Canada Gazette Part II on July 1, 2026, and take legal effect on September 1.
Every current CDB recipient who received at least one payment before September 2026 will automatically qualify for the supplemental deposit without filing a separate application.
Here is a complete breakdown of the August 20 payment, how your individual amount is determined, the upcoming $150 supplement, remaining Service Canada payment dates for 2026, and how to apply if you have not yet enrolled.
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What The August 20 Payment Delivers
The confirmed deposit date for the next Canada Disability Benefit is Thursday, August 20, 2026, according to the official benefits payment calendar published by the Government of Canada.
Direct deposit recipients will typically see funds in their accounts on the morning of August 20.
Canadians who receive payments by cheque should wait five to ten business days before contacting the program if their payment has not arrived.
The maximum monthly amount for the current benefit year is $204.20, representing the full annual entitlement of $2,450.40 spread across twelve monthly installments from July 2026 through June 2027.
This figure reflects a 2.1% Consumer Price Index adjustment that took effect with the first increased CDB payment on July 16.
The indexation raised the annual cap from the original $2,400 that applied during the final $200 deposit in June to the current $2,450.40 ceiling.
By law, the CDB maximum cannot decrease even if inflation turns negative in a future measurement period.
The benefit is entirely tax-free and does not need to be reported as income on your annual return.
How The $150 Supplemental Payment Works
Beyond the regular monthly deposit, a confirmed one-time $150 lump sum is heading to every active CDB recipient beginning in September 2026.
The federal government completed the regulatory process through amendments published in the Canada Gazette on July 1, 2026.
These amendments take legal effect on September 1, giving Service Canada the authority to begin issuing the supplemental deposits.
The $150 is fixed and does not vary based on income or family status.
Its stated purpose is to help recipients cover costs associated with obtaining or renewing a Disability Tax Credit certificate through the CRA.
You do not need to submit a new application or contact Service Canada to receive the supplement.
If you received any regular CDB payment before September 2026, you are automatically eligible for the $150 amount.
Service Canada has indicated that further details on the exact September payment date will be published on the CDB program page in the coming weeks.
Who Qualifies For The August Payment
The Canada Disability Benefit uses five eligibility criteria that Service Canada applies uniformly across the country.
You must be between 18 and 64 years of age at the time of payment.
Applicants can submit their application as early as age 17 and a half, but deposits do not begin until the month after turning 18.
Payments stop the month after you turn 65, at which point you may transition to OAS payments and the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
You must hold a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate on file with the Canada Revenue Agency.
The DTC requires a medical practitioner to complete Form T2201 certifying that you have a severe and prolonged impairment affecting basic daily activities.
Statistics Canada found that only 14.6% of persons with disabilities claimed the Disability Tax Credit in 2022, leaving a significant portion of potentially eligible Canadians without access to the CDB.
You and your spouse or common-law partner must have filed your 2025 federal income tax return.
All payments from July 2026 through June 2027 are calculated using your 2025 return, which means some recipients may notice a different deposit compared to the amount they received during the previous benefit year.
You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, person registered under the Indian Act, protected person, or temporary resident who has lived in Canada throughout the previous 18 months.
How Your Payment Amount Is Calculated
The CDB is income-tested, meaning your actual monthly deposit depends on your adjusted family net income as reported on your most recent tax return.
If your adjusted family net income falls at or below the applicable threshold for your household type, you receive the full $204.20 per month.
For a single person, the indexed 2026-27 income threshold is $23,483.
For a couple, regardless of whether one or both partners qualify for the CDB, the combined income threshold is $33,182.50.
When your income exceeds that threshold, your annual benefit is reduced by 20 cents for every dollar above the limit.
This 20% reduction rate applies to single recipients and to couples where only one partner is eligible for the benefit.
Couples where both partners hold approved DTC certificates receive a more favourable 10% reduction rate per person, lowering each individual’s benefit by just 10 cents per dollar above the threshold.
The program includes a working income exemption that encourages employment by shielding a portion of your earnings from the calculation.
Single recipients can exclude up to $10,210 in annual working income from employment, self-employment, or taxable scholarships.
Couples can exclude up to a combined $14,294 in working income.
If you are a single person earning at least $10,210 from work, your effective income threshold rises from $23,483 to approximately $33,693 before any reduction begins.
When Your CDB Reaches Zero
The benefit phases out completely once income reaches a specific ceiling known as the phase-out point.
A single person with no working income stops receiving the CDB when adjusted family net income hits approximately $35,735.
With the maximum working income exemption applied, that ceiling rises to approximately $45,945 for a single person.
For a couple where only one partner qualifies, the benefit disappears at approximately $45,434.50 in combined income without the exemption, or approximately $59,728.50 with maximum working income factored in.
Dual-eligible couples benefit from the lower 10% individual reduction rate, extending their phase-out point to approximately $57,686.50 without the exemption and approximately $71,980.50 with maximum combined working income.
How CPP Disability Interacts With The CDB
The CPP payments you receive through the Canada Pension Plan disability stream count as income in the CDB calculation.
This is a common source of confusion because the two programs serve different purposes and operate on completely separate schedules.
CPP Disability is a contributory benefit based on your employment history and pension contributions, with a 2026 maximum of $1,741.20 per month.
The CDB is purely income-tested and requires no previous contributions to any pension plan.
A recipient collecting the maximum CPP Disability amount of $1,741.20 per month receives $20,894.40 annually from that program alone.
That figure falls below the $23,483 single-person threshold, meaning a maximum CPP Disability recipient with no other income would still qualify for the full $204.20 CDB payment.
You can receive both benefits simultaneously, and the August 20 CDB deposit arrives on a different date than the August 27 Service Canada benefit payments for CPP and OAS.
Provincial Disability Benefits And The CDB
Most provinces have formally confirmed that the federal Canada Disability Benefit does not reduce provincial disability support payments.
Ontario has exempted CDB income from ODSP payments, allowing eligible recipients to collect both the full provincial amount and the full federal benefit simultaneously.
A single ODSP recipient in Ontario currently receives up to $1,436 per month following the 1.9% inflation adjustment that took effect on July 1, 2026, as detailed in recent Ontario benefit payment coverage.
The province also updated Ontario benefit rules based on immigration status in August 2026, tightening eligibility for social assistance programs.
Alberta treats the Canada Disability Benefit as income for AISH and ADAP purposes, meaning CDB payments can reduce provincial disability assistance.
This differs from provinces such as Ontario and British Columbia, which exempt the federal benefit from their provincial disability support calculations.
Why Some Recipients See Different Amounts In August
The July 2026 payment was the first deposit calculated using 2025 income tax return data instead of 2024 returns.
If your income changed between 2024 and 2025, your CDB amount may have shifted when the new benefit year began.
A promotion, additional part-time earnings, higher investment income, or changes to CPP Disability payments could push your adjusted family net income above or below the relevant threshold.
Recipients who noticed an unexpected change in their July deposit should verify their income figures through My Service Canada Account before the August 20 date.
Filing an amended 2025 tax return can also trigger a recalculation of your CDB amount for the remainder of the benefit year.
Retroactive Payments For Recent Applicants
Canadians who recently applied and were approved for the CDB may be eligible for retroactive payments dating back to the month Service Canada received their application.
The retroactive window does not extend earlier than June 2025, which was the month before the program’s first payment in July 2025.
If your application was approved in August 2026, your first deposit could include several months of accumulated payments at once.
Those turning 65 may qualify for up to 24 months of retroactive CDB payments for any eligible period before their 65th birthday.
How To Apply For The CDB
You can apply through three channels if you have not yet enrolled in the program.
The online application is available through the secure Service Canada portal and is the fastest method for most applicants.
In-person applications are accepted at any Service Canada Centre across the country.
You can also apply by phone through the dedicated CDB line at 1-833-486-3007 listed on the Service Canada contact page.
If you previously received a letter from Service Canada containing a unique six-digit application code, you can use that code to streamline the online process.
Recipients can arrange or update direct deposit by contacting Service Canada or using the applicable direct-deposit request process.
CDB banking information cannot currently be changed directly through My Service Canada Account.
Remaining CDB Payment Dates In 2026
All remaining payments through December 2026 will be issued at the current $204.20 maximum under the 2026-27 benefit year rates.
The scheduled dates for the rest of the calendar year are September 17, October 15, November 19, and December 17.
The CDB is deposited on the third Thursday of each month, following a predictable schedule that differs from CPP and OAS deposit dates.
If your monthly CDB entitlement is $20 or less, Service Canada pays the amount covering the remaining months of the benefit year as a single lump sum on your next scheduled payment date instead of issuing monthly deposits.
The CRA benefit payments in August arrive on separate dates from Service Canada deposits, with the Canada Child Benefit also scheduled for August 20 on the same day as the CDB.
Ontario residents should also note the Ontario Trillium Benefit payment on August 10 and provincial ODSP and Ontario Works deposits at month’s end.
Canadians tracking multiple benefit payments in July would have already received their CDB, CPP, OAS, and various CRA deposits on separate dates throughout that month.
The CRA benefit payment dates for 2026-2027 guide covers every remaining federal deposit on the calendar through next June.
September 2026 is shaping up to be a significant month for CDB recipients for two reasons.
The regular September 17 deposit will deliver the third payment at the $204.20 indexed rate.
The separate $150 supplemental lump sum will also begin reaching recipients sometime in September once the regulatory amendments take full effect on September 1.
The August 20 deposit continues the monthly support that more than 600,000 Canadians with disabilities rely on to cover medication, mobility aids, home modifications, and daily living expenses.
With the $150 supplemental payment confirmed for September and all remaining 2026 deposits locked at the higher indexed rate, recipients have financial certainty through the rest of the calendar year.
Mark August 20 on your calendar and verify your expected amount through My Service Canada Account before the deposit date.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will the $150 supplemental payment reduce my regular monthly CDB amount?
The $150 supplement is a separate one-time lump sum and has no effect on your regular monthly CDB calculation. Your August payment of up to $204.20 is determined entirely by your 2025 tax return income, and the supplemental amount arriving in September operates independently under a distinct regulatory provision.
Can I receive the CDB and CPP Disability at the same time?
You can collect both benefits simultaneously because they are administered as completely separate programs. CPP Disability is based on your contribution history, while the CDB is income-tested through your DTC certificate. Your CPP Disability income does count toward the CDB income test, but the maximum CPP-D amount of $1,741.20 per month falls below the $23,483 single threshold.
What happens to my CDB when I turn 65?
CDB payments stop the month after you turn 65. You may qualify for retroactive payments covering up to 24 months of eligibility before your 65th birthday. At 65, you become eligible for Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement, which use a separate income test administered by Service Canada.
Why did my CDB amount change between June and July 2026?
Two factors caused changes in July. The maximum was indexed from $200 to $204.20 under the 2.1% CPI adjustment, and Service Canada switched from using your 2024 tax return to your 2025 tax return for income calculations. Any income shift between those two tax years would alter your benefit amount.
Do I need to reapply for the CDB every year?
You do not need to reapply annually. As long as you maintain a valid DTC certificate, meet the age and residency requirements, and file your income tax return each year, Service Canada automatically recalculates and issues your payments at the start of every benefit year in July.
Fact-check: All payment dates, benefit amounts, eligibility criteria, income thresholds, reduction rates, and supplemental payment details in this article are verified against the official Government of Canada benefits payment calendar, the Canada Disability Benefit program page, and Canada Gazette Part II regulatory amendments published on July 1, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or disability-related advice. Individual benefit amounts depend on personal income, family status, DTC approval, and tax filing history. Verify your specific entitlement through My Service Canada Account.
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- New Rogers Price Increase Effective August 18
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)Rogers has notified certain home internet customers that their monthly fee will increase by $7 plus tax, with the new rate taking effect on the first bill issued on or after August 18, 2026.
The increase was communicated through billing statement notices rather than a broad public announcement, meaning many affected customers may not yet be aware of the change.
Multiple Rogers subscribers have independently confirmed receiving identical notice language on their recent bills, and the increase has been discussed extensively on consumer forums, including RedFlagDeals.
This marks the second time in 2026 that Rogers has raised internet prices for certain customers, following a similar round of $7 to $10 increases that took effect in March.
For households already managing rising rent, grocery costs, and utility bills, the additional $84 per year before tax adds to the cumulative pressure on Canadian household budgets.
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What the Billing Notice Says
The notice appearing on affected customers’ billing statements follows the same format Rogers has used for previous rate adjustments throughout 2026.
It states that Rogers continually invests in its network to deliver the best-connected experience in Canada, and that the monthly fee for the customer’s internet package will increase by $7 plus tax starting with the first bill on or after August 18, 2026.
The notice also clarifies that any active discount or guaranteed rate will remain in effect until its end date.
Customers on a Rogers, together with Shaw, 2-year ValuePlan that includes an active price guarantee should retain their guaranteed internet price for the applicable twenty-four-month period.
Other two-year agreements may have different terms, so customers should check their individual service agreement.
Services included through condo maintenance fees or rental agreements are not affected by this specific change, according to the billing notice language.
Rogers has not issued a company-wide press release or public pricing page update confirming a blanket $7 internet increase across all packages.
The increase appears to apply to certain internet packages and certain customers, which is consistent with how Rogers has rolled out previous pricing changes in 2026 through targeted billing notices rather than universal announcements.
The Second Internet Increase This Year
The August 18 increase follows an earlier round of internet price adjustments that took effect on March 23, 2026.
In that round, some Rogers internet customers saw increases of $7 per month while others received notices for a $10 per month increase, depending on their specific package.
One documented customer affected by both rounds would be paying $14 more per month than at the beginning of the year, or $168 more annually before tax.
The internet increases come on top of separate wireless price hikes that Rogers and its subsidiary Fido rolled out in July 2026, adding $4 to $5 per month to select cellphone plans through a line item labelled “Wireless Plan Rate Adjustment.”
Those wireless increases prompted the CRTC to take the unusual step of writing directly to Rogers to ask whether the company was imposing the fee during customers’ ongoing commitment periods, signalling a potentially more hands-on approach from Canada’s telecom regulator.
Timeline of Rogers Price Increases in 2026
Effective Date Service Increase March 23, 2026 Internet (certain packages) $7 to $10/month July 15, 2026 Wireless (Rogers and Fido) $4 to $5/month August 18, 2026 Internet (certain packages) $7/month Who Is Affected and Who Is Protected
Based on the billing notice language and the pattern from earlier 2026 increases, the following distinctions apply.
Customers on month-to-month internet plans or those whose promotional rates have already expired are the most likely to see the $7 increase on their August bill.
Customers on a Rogers or Shaw two-year ValuePlan with an active internet price guarantee should retain their guaranteed rate for the full twenty-four-month period, but other two-year internet agreements may carry different terms and may not offer the same protection.
Customers receiving internet service through a condo or rental property where the cost is bundled into their housing fees are excluded from this change.
Former Shaw customers who were migrated to Rogers following the 2023 acquisition have reported receiving the same notice language on previous increases, so this round may affect customers in both Ontario and Western Canada.
The only reliable way to confirm whether your specific account is affected is to check the notice section of your most recent Rogers billing statement, either in the printed bill or through the My Rogers app and online account portal.
What Affected Customers Can Do
Rogers customers who receive the $7 increase notice have several options.
Calling Rogers’ retention directly and negotiating a new promotional rate or package is the most commonly used approach, as retention agents typically have more flexibility to offer discounts than frontline customer service.
Switching to a competitor is now easier than it was a year ago, because new CRTC protections took effect June 12, 2026, prohibiting activation and plan-modification fees and strengthening protections against certain cancellation fees.
Filing a complaint with the Commission for Complaints for Tele-television Services is another option, particularly if the increase was applied during an active commitment period without adequate notice.
Telecom and TV complaints to the CCTS increased 61% in its latest mid-year reporting period, with billing remaining the leading source of consumer concerns.
Customers who bundle internet with TV or home phone through Rogers should review whether unbundling and sourcing each service separately from different providers would result in a lower total monthly cost.
Third-party internet service providers that operate on the Rogers cable network, such as TekSavvy and Carry Telecom, offer plans at lower price points, though speeds and service levels vary.
How to Check if Your Bill Is Affected
Open the My Rogers app or log in to your account at rogers.com.
Navigate to your most recent billing statement and look for the “Upcoming Changes” or “Changes to your Internet Service Rate” notice section.
If your bill contains language stating that the monthly fee for your internet package will increase by $7 plus tax starting with your first bill on or after August 18, 2026, your account is affected.
If no such notice appears on your most recent statement, your current package may not be included in this round of increases.
Customers who are uncertain should contact Rogers customer service directly at 1-888-764-3771 and ask whether their specific plan is subject to the August 18 pricing change.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much is the Rogers internet price increase?
Affected customers will see a $7 per month increase plus applicable taxes, adding approximately $84 per year before tax to their internet bill.
When does the Rogers internet increase take effect?
The increase applies starting with the first bill issued on or after August 18, 2026.
Are all Rogers internet customers affected?
No, the increase applies to certain Rogers internet packages. Rogers has not issued a broad public announcement confirming a universal price change across all internet plans. Check your billing statement for the notice.
Will my price go up if I am on a two-year ValuePlan?
Customers on a Rogers together with Shaw two-year Value Plan that includes an internet price guarantee should retain their guaranteed rate for the full twenty-four-month term. Other two-year agreements may have different terms, so check your individual service agreement.
Can I cancel without penalty if my price goes up?
New CRTC protections that took effect June 12, 2026, prohibit activation and plan-modification fees and strengthen protections against certain cancellation fees. If you are on a month-to-month plan, you can switch without a fee. Customers on contract should review their specific terms or contact Rogers to understand any remaining obligations.
Fact-Checked: The $7 internet price increase described in this article is confirmed through customer billing notices independently shared by multiple Rogers subscribers on RedFlagDeals and other consumer forums. Rogers has not issued a broad public announcement covering all internet customers. Customers should check their own billing statements for the notice section to confirm whether they are affected.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Contact Rogers directly or consult a licensed professional for guidance specific to your account.
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- New 50% U.S. Tariffs On These Canadian Goods Coming August 19
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)Three presidential proclamations signed on July 20, 2026, are set to impose new 50% tariffs on hundreds of Canadian product categories entering the United States.
The duties, invoked under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, are scheduled to take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on August 19, 2026.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative estimates the tariffs will cover nearly $20 billion in annual imports from Canada, spanning categories from dairy products and alcoholic beverages to electronics, building materials, furniture, cosmetics, sporting goods, and clothing.
Crucially, these tariffs are paid by American importers at the U.S. border, not by Canadian exporters or the Canadian government.
The immediate cost burden falls on U.S. businesses and, by extension, American consumers who will face higher prices on affected goods.
The new U.S. tariff itself does not directly impose a tax on Canadian consumers, though exchange-rate movements and integrated supply-chain costs can still produce secondary effects.
Canadian retaliatory tariffs would create a much more direct price impact on affected U.S. goods sold in Canada.
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Why the White House Is Imposing These Tariffs
The White House framed the action as a direct response to what it calls Canadian discrimination against U.S. commerce across three sectors.
The first is motor vehicles.
Since April 2025, Canada has applied a 25% tariff on U.S. motor vehicles that do not qualify for USMCA duty-free treatment and has charged 25% on the non-Canadian and non-Mexican content of qualifying vehicles, subject to company-specific tariff-rate quotas.
The proclamation states that Canada does not apply equivalent restrictions on vehicles from Japan, Korea, Germany, or Mexico and that this unequal treatment caused U.S. motor vehicle exports to Canada to decline by approximately 22%, or $5.6 billion, between April 2025 and March 2026 compared to the prior year.
The second is alcoholic beverages.
All but two Canadian provinces and territories halted the purchase, distribution, or retailing of American alcohol products without imposing equivalent restrictions on other countries.
Canadian imports of U.S. alcoholic beverages fell by roughly 81%, or $582 million, between March 2025 and February 2026 compared to the prior period, according to the White House fact sheet.
The third is dairy.
The White House contends that Canadian supply-managed dairy system grants more favourable tariff-rate quotas on cheese imported from the European Union than on equivalent American dairy exports, despite Canada holding trade agreements with both.
The Legal Authority Behind the Tariffs
The tariffs are imposed under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, a rarely used statute that authorizes the president to levy additional duties of up to 50% when a foreign country discriminates against U.S. commerce relative to the commerce of other nations.
This is the first time Section 338 has been deployed in this manner in modern trade policy.
Unlike earlier tariff measures that provided exemptions for goods qualifying under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, these Section 338 tariffs apply to all covered goods regardless of USMCA compliance.
That distinction represents a significant escalation from previous rounds of the trade war.
Full List of Product Categories Affected by the 50% Tariff
The three proclamations collectively cover over 500 Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheadings across dozens of industries.
Despite the “Motor Vehicles” label on the broadest proclamation, the list published in Annex II contains no passenger cars at all, because automobiles are already subject to separate Section 232 tariffs.
The affected product categories span the following sectors.
Product Category Examples of Covered Items Dairy Products Milk, cream, whey, caseinates, lactose, cheese ingredients Alcoholic Beverages Beer, wine, whisky, rum, vodka, gin, liqueurs, cider, spirits Electronics & Telecom Equipment Telephones, radio/TV broadcast gear, monitors, displays, circuit boards, antennas, receiver parts Building Materials Cement, plywood, fibreboard, doors, windows, wooden flooring, particle board, veneer sheets Furniture & Home Goods Office furniture, metal seating, wooden furniture, lighting fixtures, lamps, mattress parts Plastics & Packaging Plastic floor coverings, self-adhesive films, bags, boxes, sacks, bottles, tableware, packaging containers Clothing & Textiles T-shirts, sweaters, jackets, trousers, coats, gloves, headgear, nonwoven fabrics, textile ropes Toys & Sporting Goods Toys, video game consoles, fishing rods, hockey sticks, golf equipment, ice skates, exercise equipment Cosmetics & Fragrances Essential oils, perfumes, lip makeup, eye makeup, skin preparations, hair products, candles Agricultural Products Honey, live plants, cut flowers, seeds, bulbs, seaweed, vegetable extracts, natural gums Wood & Paper Products Wood charcoal, sawn timber, wood pulp, wallpaper, envelopes, paper towels, cardboard boxes Leather & Luggage Raw hides, suitcases, handbags, dog leashes, leather gloves, fur skins Machinery & Tools Hand tools, saws, wrenches, razors, safes, cranes, boilers, hydraulic turbines, food-processing machinery Chemicals & Minerals Salt, mannitol, sorbitol, inks, paints, lubricant additives, petroleum-derived chemicals Jewellery & Precious Metals Gold jewellery, silver, diamonds, imitation jewellery, coins Art, Antiques & Collectibles Original paintings, prints, sculptures, postage stamps, antiques over 100 years old Vessels & Motorcycles Electric motorcycles, floating docks, light-vessels, lifeboats What Is Excluded from the 50% Tariff
The White House fact sheet specifically carved out several categories that will not be subject to the new 50% duties.
Energy products, including oil, natural gas, and related exports, are exempt.
Potash, a critical fertilizer ingredient that the U.S. sources heavily from Canadian producers in Saskatchewan, is also excluded.
Fish, critical minerals, and aerospace products covered by the WTO Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft remain outside the scope of the proclamation.
Goods already subject to Section 232 tariffs are also excluded.
This means automobiles, steel, aluminium, copper, designated wood products, semiconductor articles, and patented pharmaceutical articles are not double-tariffed because they already face their own dedicated duty schedules under separate presidential orders.
Who Actually Pays These Tariffs
This is the single most misunderstood aspect of tariffs in cross-border trade.
The 50% duty is collected from U.S.-based importers by U.S. Customs and Border Protection when goods cross the American border.
Canadian exporters do not write a cheque to the U.S. government.
Once the tariff is assessed, the American importer has three choices: absorb the added cost and accept lower margins, negotiate lower purchase prices with Canadian suppliers, or pass the cost through to American consumers via higher retail prices.
In practice, most importers choose some combination of all three, which means American households and businesses bear the economic weight of the tariff in the form of rising prices and squeezed business margins.
The tariff itself does not directly tax Canadian consumers, though exchange-rate shifts and integrated supply-chain costs can produce secondary effects north of the border.
The scenario that would hit Canadian households most directly is if Ottawa retaliates with reciprocal tariffs on American imports into Canada, which would raise retail prices on U.S.-made goods sold in Canadian stores.
How These Tariffs Could Affect the Canadian Economy
Although Canadians are not paying the tariff directly, the indirect economic consequences for Canada could be substantial.
The tariffed goods represent roughly 5% of Canada’s exports to the United States by value, approximately US$20 billion worth of annual imports.
TD Economics estimates that if the tariffs remain in place, they would reduce Canadian GDP growth by 0.3 to 0.6 percentage points over the next year, with the lower end of the range being more probable.
Other analysts project the tariffs could reduce growth by two to three tenths of a percentage point in both 2026 and 2027, although a recession from these measures alone is not expected.
The greater danger lies in what economists call demand destruction.
When U.S. importers face a 50% tariff on Canadian electronics, furniture, building materials, and consumer goods, many will simply switch to suppliers in other countries.
The proclamation itself documented this dynamic in the auto sector, noting that Canadian imports of Mexican motor vehicles increased by approximately 23.6% after Canada imposed unilateral tariffs on U.S. vehicles, while imports from Japan, Korea, and Germany also rose by 10% to 13.5%.
The same substitution pattern could play out in reverse against Canada once American buyers face a 50% premium on Canadian goods and begin sourcing from alternatives.
Manufacturing, agriculture, building materials producers, and small-to-medium exporters are the most exposed.
These businesses form the backbone of the Canadian economy and cannot easily absorb a sudden loss of their primary export market.
Layoffs in these sectors would suppress consumer spending and residential investment, creating secondary ripple effects across the broader economy.
British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec are projected to be the most affected provinces because their economies are the most deeply integrated with U.S. supply chains across auto parts, electronics assembly, wood products, and resource exports.
Negotiations Are Ongoing With Just Days Remaining
Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Chief Trade Negotiator Janice Charette have met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer four times in three weeks as both sides push for a framework agreement before the deadline.
A Canadian government source told Reuters on August 13 that talks were progressing well and that Washington also wanted an agreement before August 19.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has stated that retaliation remains on the table if negotiations fail, but has deliberately avoided announcing specific countermeasures, calling premature retaliation counterproductive while talks continue.
Canada has signalled willingness to address U.S. grievances on alcohol distribution, dairy quota structures, and auto tariffs, while seeking relief on the Section 232 duties covering steel and aluminum that have been in place since 2025.
Canada’s chief trade negotiator has privately warned her American counterparts that if the tariffs take effect, it would represent a cliff that risks halting further negotiations entirely.
Broader Context On Where This Fits in the Trade War
These tariffs arrive on top of existing U.S. duties that already cover major segments of Canadian exports.
Existing Section 232 measures already cover major Canadian exports, including steel, aluminium, copper, automobiles, trucks, certain timber and lumber products, semiconductors, and patented pharmaceuticals.
On July 1, the United States declined to extend the USMCA for another 16 years, leaving the agreement in force but moving it into annual reviews and adding a layer of structural uncertainty to North American commerce.
The White House fact sheet noted that of all trading partners facing tariffs, only two countries have chosen retaliation over negotiation: China and Canada.
The administration has positioned these new tariffs as both a punitive measure and a negotiating lever intended to bring Canada back to the table for a renegotiated USMCA that the White House views as more favourable to American interests.
For Canada, the stakes are immense.
The Bank of Canada has estimated that by the end of 2026, GDP could be about 1.5% lower than projected before the trade conflict intensified, with roughly half the shortfall attributed to reduced potential output caused by U.S. tariffs and the remainder reflecting increased excess supply.
The Canadian economy grew by 1.7% in 2025, a slower pace than in the previous two years and the weakest annual performance since the pandemic-induced contraction of 2020.
What to Watch in the Coming Days
With the August 19 deadline now less than a week away, several outcomes remain possible.
The two countries could reach a framework agreement that leads to a delay or modification of the tariffs before they take effect, following the pattern of several previous trade deadlines that were extended at the last moment.
The tariffs could take effect as scheduled, triggering a new escalation cycle that forces both governments to choose between continued economic damage and face-saving compromises.
Canada could announce retaliatory tariffs on American goods, which would be the first time since September 2025 that Ottawa has imposed broad counter-duties and would directly raise prices for Canadian consumers on U.S.-made products.
Businesses on both sides of the border with exposure to the affected product categories should review the Annex II tariff schedule, assess their supply chain vulnerabilities, and consult a licensed customs broker or trade compliance professional before August 19.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Section 338 tariff on Canadian goods?
It is a 50% additional duty imposed under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 on over 500 categories of Canadian products, scheduled to take effect on August 19, 2026.
Do Canadian consumers pay the 50% tariff?
No, the U.S. tariff itself is paid by U.S. importers rather than Canadian consumers. Canadian retaliatory tariffs would create the most direct price impact in Canada by raising costs on affected U.S. goods.
Are automobiles included in the new tariff?
No, Passenger vehicles are already covered under separate Section 232 tariffs and are excluded from the new Section 338 duties.
What Canadian exports are exempt from the 50% tariff?
Energy products, potash, fish, critical minerals, aerospace goods, and any products already subject to Section 232 tariffs, including steel, aluminium, lumber, and pharmaceuticals.
How much could the tariffs reduce Canadian GDP?
TD Economics estimates a reduction of 0.3 to 0.6 percentage points over the following year if the tariffs remain in place, with most forecasters expecting the impact to land closer to the lower end of that range.
Fact-Checked: All tariff details, HTS classifications, trade figures, and economic projections cited in this article are sourced directly from the White House Presidential Proclamation dated July 20, 2026, the accompanying Annex II tariff schedule, the White House Fact Sheet, TD Economics, RBC Economics, the Bank of Canada, and verified news reporting.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal, financial, or trade compliance advice. Businesses should consult a licensed trade professional or customs broker for guidance specific to their situation.
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- New Ontario Benefit Payment Rules Based on Immigration Status
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)Ontario just rewrote the eligibility rules for its two provincial social assistance programs in one of the fastest regulatory changes the province has enacted this year.
Effective immediately on August 13, 2026, individuals who are in Canada without legal authorization can no longer receive financial support through Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program.
The amended regulations also bar temporary residents, including holders of study permits, work permits, and visitor or tourist status, from accessing either program.
Applicants must provide documentation demonstrating their citizenship or immigration status as part of the eligibility process.
These changes affect two programs that collectively support hundreds of thousands of households, and they arrive at a time when the province is tightening program access across multiple fronts.
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What Triggered the Regulatory Change
The regulation amendments follow a Social Benefits Tribunal ruling that drew significant public and political attention in July 2026.
The tribunal awarded Ontario Works payments to a foreign national who entered Canada on a temporary work permit in 1997 and remained in the country after that permit expired four years later.
The individual told the tribunal he supported himself through cash employment until 2023, when he entered Ontario’s homeless shelter system and applied for social assistance.
The tribunal adjudicator concluded that the existing Ontario Works legislation did not explicitly require applicants to hold legal immigration status in Canada, provided they did not fall within three specifically excluded categories.
Following media coverage of the ruling, Premier Doug Ford responded on social media, stating that his government would change provincial regulations to make the law’s intent unambiguous.
Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Michael Parsa followed through by announcing the regulation amendments on August 13, confirming the changes take effect the same day.
Exactly What the Amended Regulations Change
The province amended regulations under both the Ontario Works Act, 1997, and the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997.
The province’s existing regulations already contained immigration-status provisions under a section titled Status in the Country, which excluded certain individuals with enforceable removal or deportation orders as well as visitors and tourists, subject to exceptions.
The new regulations significantly expand and clarify those existing restrictions by explicitly disqualifying two broader categories of individuals from receiving social assistance.
Category Examples Individuals in Canada without legal authorization Persons whose authorized period of stay or immigration status has expired and who do not have maintained status or another lawful authorization to remain Individuals authorized to remain temporarily Study permit holders, work permit holders, visitors, and tourists Applicants must provide documentation demonstrating their citizenship or immigration status as part of the eligibility process for both Ontario Works and ODSP.
The Two Benefit Programs Affected by the New Rules
Ontario Works and ODSP serve different populations and are structured differently, though they share the same social assistance framework and are now subject to the same expanded immigration-status eligibility requirements.
Ontario Works
Ontario Works provides temporary financial assistance to the residents in financial need who are actively pursuing employment or participating in job-readiness activities.
The program is designed as short-term support, not as a permanent income source.
Caseworkers assigned to each recipient focus on helping them prepare for employment services, find work, and move toward financial independence.
A single person on Ontario Works currently receives a maximum of $733 per month, a rate that has remained frozen since 2018 with no inflation adjustment applied during that eight-year period.
Prices have risen by approximately 23% since 2018, meaning the $733 that a single adult receives today covers substantially less than it did when the rate was last set.
Ontario Disability Support Program
ODSP provides longer-term income support and employment assistance to the residents with a substantial physical or mental disability expected to last one year or more who are also in financial need.
A single ODSP recipient can currently receive up to $1,436 per month following the 1.9% inflation-based increase that took effect on July 1, 2026.
Since September 2022, the province has increased ODSP rates by nearly 23% through annual inflation indexation, and the 2026 provincial Budget confirmed that ODSP will continue to be indexed going forward.
How Ontario Works Recipients Transition to ODSP
Ontario Works is often the entry point into the social assistance system, even for individuals who may ultimately qualify for ODSP.
Recipients on Ontario Works who have a qualifying disability can apply for ODSP while still receiving their OW payments.
The process begins by notifying a caseworker, who then provides a Disability Determination Package containing medical forms that must be completed by a health care provider at no cost to the applicant.
The online application system also allows applicants to apply for both Ontario Works and ODSP at the same time.
The Disability Adjudication Unit generally issues its disability determination within 90 business days after receiving a completed application package.
During that waiting period, Ontario Works payments continue uninterrupted, serving as a financial bridge until the ODSP decision is made.
If ODSP is approved, the recipient’s file transfers to ODSP, and the higher monthly payment rate takes effect.
Former ODSP recipients who return to social assistance may also qualify for rapid reinstatement, a streamlined process that does not require a new Disability Determination Package.
This transition pathway matters in the context of the new regulations because both programs are now gated behind the same immigration-status requirement.
A person without legal status or on temporary authorization in Canada can no longer enter the system through Ontario Works and subsequently transition to ODSP.
Feature Ontario Works ODSP Transition Detail Purpose Temporary financial aid and employment support Longer-term support for persons with disabilities OW recipients can apply for ODSP while receiving OW Single person maximum $733/month $1,436/month A higher ODSP rate applies once approved Inflation indexed? No (frozen since 2018) Yes (annual CPI adjustment) Only ODSP rises with inflation ODSP decision timeline N/A 90 business days (DAU) OW payments continue during the wait. In the 2024–2025 fiscal year, the provincial social assistance caseload included approximately 282,011 Ontario Works cases and 372,681 ODSP cases, with the combined beneficiary count exceeding 970,000 individuals.
How This Fits Into Ontario’s Broader 2026 Regulatory Direction
The social assistance eligibility change is one of several regulatory actions Ontario has taken in 2026 that tighten program access, strengthen enforcement mechanisms, or reset cost structures.
January brought tougher impaired driving penalties and the adoption of labour mobility rules under the Ontario Free Trade and Mobility Act that let professionals from other provinces begin within 10 business days.
The province also introduced new driving laws in July 2026 mandating ignition interlock devices for convicted impaired drivers, along with updated Landlord and Tenant Board appeal standards that make initial hearings more consequential.
Across the first seven months of the year, Ontario has delivered new rules in nearly every month, covering consumer protection, wildfire season protocols, municipal election deadlines, expanded alcohol regulations in provincial parks, and changes to freedom of information response timelines.
Ontario’s new regulations represent the most significant expansion of immigration-status restrictions within the social assistance framework that the province has enacted in 2026.
What Temporary Residents in Ontario Should Know
The regulation’s use of the phrase ‘authorized to remain in Canada on a temporary basis’ is significant because it captures a wide range of temporary immigration statuses.
Work permit holders, study permit holders, visitors, and tourists are all explicitly named in the amended regulation as being ineligible for Ontario Works and ODSP.
People on maintained status remain legally authorized to stay in Canada while IRCC processes an eligible extension application.
However, maintained status is still temporary resident status, meaning these individuals may fall within Ontario’s new exclusion for people authorized to remain in Canada on a temporary basis.
Individuals exploring permanent residency pathways should understand that obtaining permanent resident status would place them outside the scope of this exclusion entirely.
PGWP holders who have not yet applied for permanent residence through a Provincial Nominee Program or another eligible stream should evaluate their options before their current authorization expires.
Temporary residents facing expiring permits have a narrowing set of legal options to maintain status in Canada, and the loss of provincial social assistance eligibility adds further urgency to securing a long-term immigration pathway.
Reporting Suspected Social Assistance Fraud
The Ford government has highlighted its fraud reporting mechanism alongside the announcement.
Members of the public can report suspected cases of social assistance fraud by visiting the Ministry’s website or calling the dedicated fraud hotline at 1-800-394-7867.
ODSP clients with a disability may still earn up to $1,000 per month through employment without affecting their eligibility for income support and benefits, a provision that remains unchanged under the new regulations.
Ontario Works recipients continue to receive caseworker support focused on helping them prepare for and find meaningful employment to achieve financial independence.
Ontario’s decision to amend its social assistance regulations immediately rather than through a longer legislative process signals that the provincial government views this as an urgent enforcement priority.
The province has been delivering new laws and rules at a rapid pace throughout 2026, and these regulations represent the most significant expansion of immigration-status restrictions within the social assistance eligibility framework this year.
Whether other provinces follow Ontario’s lead on tying social assistance to immigration documentation remains an open question, but the regulatory template is now public and took effect within hours of its announcement.
Ontario residents currently receiving social assistance should confirm their documentation is up to date with their caseworker to avoid any disruption to their upcoming benefit payments.
Temporary residents in Ontario who may have relied on the previous eligibility framework should seek advice from a regulated immigration consultant or licensed immigration lawyer about their status and available pathways before their current authorization changes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can temporary work permit holders still apply for Ontario Works or ODSP?
No, under the amended regulations effective August 13, 2026, individuals authorized to remain in Canada on a temporary basis, including work permit holders, study permit holders, visitors, and tourists, are explicitly ineligible for both Ontario Works and ODSP.
Does this change affect permanent residents or Canadian citizens?
No, the regulation targets individuals who are in Canada without legal authorization and those on temporary status. Permanent residents and Canadian citizens remain eligible for social assistance if they meet the financial and other eligibility requirements of each program.
Can Ontario Works recipients still apply for ODSP if they have a disability?
Yes, as long as they meet the immigration-status eligibility requirement. Eligible Ontario Works recipients with a qualifying disability can still apply for ODSP through their caseworker. The Disability Determination Package process remains unchanged, and the Disability Adjudication Unit generally issues its determination within 90 business days. OW payments continue during the application period.
What triggered the Ontario government to make this change?
A Social Benefits Tribunal ruling in July 2026 awarded Ontario Works payments to a foreign national who had remained in Canada for over two decades after his temporary work permit expired. The ruling prompted Premier Ford to announce that regulations would be amended to close the gap in the legislation.
Where can I report suspected social assistance fraud in Ontario?
The Ontario government’s fraud reporting page allows the public to submit reports online, or you can call the dedicated fraud hotline at 1-800-394-7867.
Fact Check: All information in this article has been verified against the official Ontario government press release, the Ontario Works Act 1997, the Ontario Disability Support Program Act 1997, Ontario Regulation 134/98 (Status in the Country), the Ontario Works Policy Directive 2.4 on ODSP referrals, the City of Toronto’s ODSP application guide, the Income Security Advocacy Centre rates sheet for July 2026, and Maytree Foundation social assistance caseload data as of August 13, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is published by Immigration News Canada for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice.
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- CBSA Raids International Students Protesting In Calgary
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)Canada Border Services Agency officers descended on an international student protest site in Calgary on August 12, 2026, checking attendees’ immigration documents and summoning individuals without valid status to report to immigration offices.
It is being reported that CBSA personnel arrived at the demonstration site in northeast Calgary where more than 1,000 international graduates, most of them Indian students from Punjab, have been protesting for nearly two weeks over mass rejections of their post-graduation work permit applications.
The raid marks the first time in recent Canadian history that federal border enforcement officers have directly visited an active protest site to conduct immigration compliance checks on demonstrators.
It is being reported that officers checked immigration documents of students present at the site and issued notices directing certain individuals to appear at CBSA offices.
The development comes after weeks of escalating political statements from Prime Minister Mark Carney, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, and Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner that collectively signalled a hardening government posture toward the protesting graduates.
Table of Contents
What Led To The Calgary International Student Protest
The crisis traces back to late June 2026, when Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada began issuing refusal letters to graduates of non-credit continuing education programs delivered by the Canadian Institute of Osteopathic Therapy in Calgary and Campbell College in Edmonton under a partnership arrangement with Portage College.
The refusal letters stated that the applicants’ programs were classified as non-credit and therefore did not meet the eligibility criteria for a post-graduation work permit under regulation R205(c)(ii).
IRCC updated its PGWP eligibility webpage on June 24, 2026, to explicitly state that non-credit programs, with the exception of certain flight school programs, do not qualify for a PGWP.
The department maintains that this was a clarification of an existing rule rather than a new policy change.
The affected students argue that they enrolled in and completed these programs in good faith, paying approximately $32,000 in tuition for two-year diploma programs, believing they would be eligible for post-graduation work permits upon completion.
It is being reported that at least 480 graduates have received formal PGWP refusals, with community organizers suggesting the total number of affected individuals could be closer to 1,500 across Alberta.
The Portage College student union has stated that graduates from the same programs are receiving different decisions, with some approved and others denied under what IRCC says are unchanged eligibility rules.
Timeline Of Key Developments
Date Development June 24, 2026 IRCC updates PGWP eligibility webpage to clarify non-credit exclusion Late June 2026 IRCC begins issuing mass PGWP refusal letters to Portage College graduates July 22, 2026 A hunger strike begins outside IRCC offices in Calgary July 29, 2026 Carney says he is unaware of the protest; Smith says students should go home August 5, 2026 Rempel Garner issues statement on crime gangs exploiting student visa system August 11, 2026 Rempel Garner holds press conference on immigration, fraud in foreign student system August 12, 2026 Smith tweets that student visas are temporary; students need to go home August 12, 2026 CBSA officers visit protest site, check documents, issue notices to appear Carney Said He Didn’t Know About The Protest
The political backdrop to the CBSA raid began on July 29, 2026, when Prime Minister Mark Carney publicly admitted that he had no knowledge of the ongoing hunger strike by international students in Calgary.
Speaking at a press conference in Red Deer tied to Alberta’s upcoming October 19 referendum on immigration, Carney was asked directly by a reporter whether his government was prepared to deport the Portage College graduates staging the hunger strike.
Carney responded that he was not familiar with the specific case but acknowledged that a process exists for individuals who are in Canada without authorization and who do not have a valid asylum claim.
He stated that those processes need to be followed.
Smith Told Students To Go Home
Standing beside Carney at the same Red Deer press conference, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith gave a more direct answer.
Smith said that international students whose visas have expired and who have not obtained permanent residency need to leave Canada.
She acknowledged that there have been cases where private operators have taken advantage of international students and suggested that Portage College may have overstated the pathway to permanent residency for its graduates.
She added that studying in Canada does not automatically lead to permanent residency and that Alberta needs greater authority to select immigrants whose skills match provincial labour shortages through an expanded provincial nominee program.
Rempel Garner Raised Alarm On Student Visa Fraud
Conservative Shadow Minister for Immigration Michelle Rempel Garner, the Member of Parliament for Calgary Nose Hill, held a press conference on August 11, 2026, to discuss immigration enforcement.
It is being reported that the lead focus of her statement was what she described as leniency with non-citizens who commit crimes and are not sentenced adequately or deported as they should be.
She characterized lenient sentencing to avoid deportation as corrosive to a high-trust society.
Rempel Garner also referenced fraud in the foreign student system, attributing the problem to systemic failures under the Liberal government rather than to the individual students themselves.
Days earlier on August 5, she had issued a formal statement calling out the Liberals for allowing crime gangs to exploit Canada’s student visa program, citing a classified CBSA intelligence report on the Bishnoi gang’s use of student and work permit pathways to establish criminal operations in Canada.
Her statement pointed to what she called Liberal failures to undertake proper criminal vetting of those entering Canada and referenced the Auditor General’s March 2026 report, which found that light-touch screening was insufficient to protect the immigration system from fraud and abuse.
Smith Doubled Down With A Tweet On August 12
On the same day that CBSA officers arrived at the Calgary protest site, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith posted on X (formerly Twitter) doubling down on her earlier statements.
Smith wrote that a student visa is a temporary document to study in Canada and that this was always understood.
She stated that Alberta’s universities and colleges were built by Alberta taxpayers, first and foremost for Alberta students, and that where there is room for international students, the terms are simple.
She added that students should earn their education and then return home to build a life with it.
The timing of the tweet, arriving the same day as the CBSA enforcement action, was noted by observers as a signal that the provincial and federal governments were aligned in their posture toward the protesters.
What Happened During The CBSA Visit To The Protest Site
It is being reported that CBSA officers arrived at the protest site in northeast Calgary on the evening of August 12, 2026.
Officers spoke with protesters and checked immigration documents of those present at the demonstration.
It is being reported that individuals found to be without valid immigration status were issued notices directing them to appear at CBSA offices.
The CBSA is the federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws, investigating potential violations, and carrying out removals across Canada.
The visit to an active protest site to conduct enforcement activity is being described as the first action of its kind in recent Canadian history.
For context, there are three types of removal orders under Canadian immigration law: departure orders, exclusion orders, and deportation orders.
A departure order requires the individual to leave Canada within 30 days and confirm their departure with CBSA.
An exclusion order bars re-entry to Canada for one year, or five years if issued for misrepresentation.
A deportation order permanently bars the individual from returning to Canada unless they obtain written authorization.
Reactions From Those Supporting The Students
Immigration professionals have pointed out that the central issue in this dispute is not whether students overstayed their visas but whether IRCC retroactively changed the interpretation of rules that applied when they enrolled.
A Calgary immigration lawyer representing some of the affected students has noted that the most common refusal cites programs as non-credit and therefore ineligible, while others received refusal letters citing mobility program issues or Labour Market Impact Assessment-related grounds.
He stated that if IRCC has not officially changed PGWP eligibility rules, students who completed identical programs should not be receiving different decisions without a clear explanation.
He added that previous immigration rule changes have generally applied to future students rather than those already enrolled.
Student organizers have consistently emphasized that they are not demanding permanent residency.
One protest organizer told media that they are only asking for the opportunity to gain Canadian work experience through the work permit they were told they would receive when they enrolled.
An immigration consultant described the situation as a failure of coordination between provincial and federal governments.
The students spent approximately $32,000 on tuition for two-year programs and completed their studies believing they would be eligible for post-graduation work permits.
Some graduates have already filed for judicial review in Federal Court over IRCC’s interpretation of their programs as non-credit.
Reactions From Those Opposing The Students
Premier Smith and the Alberta government have maintained that a student visa is inherently temporary and does not guarantee permanent residence.
Smith has stated that Alberta’s institutions were built by Alberta taxpayers for Alberta students first and that international students should earn their education and return home.
Prime Minister Carney has stated that processes exist for people without authorization to stay in Canada and that those processes must be followed.
Rempel Garner and the Conservative Party have framed the broader student visa issue as a systemic Liberal failure, pointing to the Auditor General’s findings on 153,000 suspected student visa fraud cases and the CBSA intelligence report on gang exploitation of immigration pathways.
Some public commentators have argued that the students have overstayed their visas and should be taken into custody and deported.
Others have welcomed the CBSA enforcement action as overdue, framing it as a necessary step to uphold immigration law and deter future violations.
What This Means For Affected Graduates
For graduates who have already received PGWP refusals, the options are narrowing as their temporary status runs out and Express Entry draw volumes slow for the second half of 2026.
Students within 15 days of receiving a refusal are being advised to consider applying for judicial review in Federal Court.
Those still within 180 days of completing their studies may also be eligible to submit a new PGWP application, though the underlying program classification issue would likely produce the same result.
Immigration professionals are urging graduates to maintain valid immigration status while pursuing legal remedies.
The federal government’s Bill C-12 asylum reforms, which became law in March 2026, expanded enforcement powers over individuals whose immigration status has lapsed.
CBSA enforcement has been intensifying across Canada throughout 2025 and 2026, with the agency executing over 18,000 enforced removals in 2025 alone.
As a petition on Change.org calling on Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab to pause all PGWP refusals on Portage College files pending review remains active, IRCC has not announced any reconsideration, moratorium, or policy reversal as of August 13, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why did CBSA visit the Calgary protest site?
CBSA officers attended the protest to check attendees’ immigration documents and identify individuals without valid status, issuing notices for them to report to immigration offices.
Are the protesting students being deported immediately?
No immediate mass deportation has been reported or even possible, but students without valid status face potential removal proceedings that could result in departure orders, exclusion orders, or deportation orders.
What did Mark Carney say about the protest?
Carney stated at a July 29 press conference that he was not aware of the specific hunger strike but acknowledged that processes exist for people in Canada without authorization.
What did Danielle Smith say?
Smith stated that students whose visas have expired and who lack permanent residency need to go home and posted on X on August 12 that a student visa is a temporary document and students should earn their education and return home.
Can affected students still apply for a PGWP?
Students within 180 days of completing their studies may submit a new PGWP application, but the underlying non-credit classification issue would likely result in the same outcome unless IRCC changes its interpretation.
Fact-Checked Against: Publicly available records and official statements reported by multiple outlets and legality of the issue against available CBSA official information as of August 13, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult a licensed immigration professional for guidance on your individual case.
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- CRS Score Distribution Reveals 5 Critical Trends For Next Express Entry Draw
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)Canada’s Express Entry pool contained 229,100 candidates as of August 3, 2026, a net decline of 2,433 profiles from the 231,533 recorded on July 19.
That headline number masks the real story hiding inside the CRS score distribution data released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada one day before the latest Provincial Nominee Program draw.
While the pool shrank overall, the 501 to 600 CRS band, the range that determines who receives Canadian Experience Class invitations, swelled by 1,572 candidates over the same two-week window.
That single shift carries direct implications for anyone awaiting the next round of Express Entry invitations in August 2026.
This article breaks down what the latest CRS score distribution reveals about pool dynamics, compares it against the previous snapshot, identifies which score bands are gaining or losing candidates, and translates those shifts into actionable guidance for candidates competing in every active draw category.
Table of Contents
Latest CRS Score Distribution In The Express Entry Pool
IRCC published the most recent pool snapshot on August 3, 2026, one day before the August 4 PNP Express Entry draw that issued 507 invitations at a CRS cutoff of 768.
The table below presents the full breakdown by CRS score range.
CRS Score Range Number of Candidates (Aug 3, 2026) 601–1200 500 501–600 19,705 451–500 73,099 491–500 12,939 481–490 12,890 471–480 16,368 461–470 16,057 451–460 14,845 401–450 60,905 441–450 13,595 431–440 13,267 421–430 11,942 411–420 11,326 401–410 10,775 351–400 50,107 301–350 17,101 0–300 7,683 Total 229,100 The 451 to 500 CRS range remains the single most populated bracket in the entire pool with 73,099 profiles, followed by the 401 to 450 range at 60,905.
These two ranges together account for over 58% of every candidate sitting in Express Entry right now.
Five Pool Snapshots Reveal The Pattern Behind CRS Movement
Tracking the Express Entry pool across five IRCC snapshots from March 29 through August 3 reveals structural patterns that a single two-week comparison would miss entirely.
CRS Range Mar 29 Apr 26 Jul 5 Jul 19 Aug 3 601–1200 351 472 525 511 500 501–600 11,648 13,860 18,611 18,133 19,705 451–500 73,445 73,659 73,691 72,579 73,099 401–450 64,782 66,515 65,818 63,877 60,905 351–400 52,655 52,874 51,096 51,107 50,107 301–350 19,007 18,733 17,513 17,490 17,101 0–300 8,298 8,339 7,873 7,836 7,683 Total 230,186 234,452 235,127 231,533 229,100 The 501 to 600 CRS band tells the most consequential story across these five snapshots.
This range climbed from 11,648 candidates on March 29 to 19,705 on August 3, a net gain of 8,057 profiles over roughly four months.
That 69% expansion occurred while IRCC conducted seven CEC draws and issued 17,250 invitations between the March 29 and August 3 snapshots, demonstrating how quickly the upper end of the pool has been replenishing and confirming that inflow into the 501-plus zone outpaces the rate at which CEC invitations remove them.
The 401 to 450 range moved in the opposite direction, falling from 64,782 on March 29 to 60,905 on August 3, a net loss of 3,877 candidates.
This range peaked at 66,515 on April 26 before declining steadily across each subsequent snapshot, driven primarily by Express Entry profile expirations and candidates either improving their scores into higher bands or leaving the system entirely.
The 451 to 500 range remained remarkably stable throughout the entire period, fluctuating within a narrow 72,579 to 73,691 window across all five snapshots.
That stability suggests a near-equilibrium where new entrants replace departing candidates at almost identical rates, keeping this bracket locked between 72,000 and 74,000 regardless of draw activity.
The lower bands from 0 to 350 thinned in most of the snapshots, losing a combined 2,521 candidates from March 29 to August 3, a pattern visible across multiple pool analyses in 2026.
The total pool size followed a rise-and-fall arc, climbing from 230,186 in March to a peak of 235,127 on July 5 before declining to 229,100 by August 3, reflecting the cumulative impact of draw activity through July alongside normal profile entries, expirations and score changes.
Why The 501 To 600 CRS Band Grew By 1,572 Candidates
The 501 to 600 range expanded from 18,133 to 19,705 candidates between July 19 and August 3, a net increase of 1,572 profiles.
This growth occurred despite IRCC issuing 2,000 CEC invitations at CRS 517 on July 7 and another 2,000 at CRS 516 on July 21, both of which drew directly from this band.
Three forces drive this refilling pattern simultaneously.
New candidates entering Express Entry with strong language scores, Canadian work experience, and young age profiles are landing directly in the 501 to 600 range at the time of profile creation.
Existing candidates in the 451 to 500 range are crossing into the 501-plus zone by retaking IELTS or CELPIP and improving individual band scores, accumulating additional months of Canadian work experience, or completing educational credential assessments for foreign credentials.
Candidates who decline an invitation return to the pool if they remain eligible, while some candidates whose invitations expire or whose applications are refused may later create new profiles and re-enter the pool, contributing to the steady refilling of the upper bands.
The result is a self-replenishing upper tier that absorbs thousands of invitations without exhibiting a sustained downward shift in CRS cutoffs, a dynamic that has held the CEC cutoff between 514 and 518 since April 2026.
What This Distribution Means For The Next CEC Draw
The August 5 Canadian Experience Class draw issued 3,000 invitations at a CRS cutoff of 516, a 50% volume increase from the 2,000 issued in each of the two July CEC rounds.
Despite the larger invitation count, the cutoff did not budge from 516.
The August 3 snapshot showed 19,705 candidates in the 501 to 600 range before the August 5 CEC draw. Given how quickly this band has replenished throughout 2026, the data does not support expectations of a sharp CRS decline in the next CEC round.
If IRCC maintains the current draw cluster pattern, the second CEC draw of August is expected in the third or fourth week of the month.
Candidates should realistically expect a CRS cutoff between 515 and 519 for the next CEC round, regardless of whether IRCC issues 2,000 or 3,000 invitations.
The pool data confirms that invitation volume alone cannot move the CEC cutoff meaningfully lower when the inflow of high-scoring profiles matches the rate at which invitations remove them.
What The 601 To 1200 Range Tells Us About PNP Draws
The 601 to 1200 CRS range held 500 candidates on August 3, down from 511 on July 19.
IRCC issued 507 invitations in the August 4 PNP draw at a CRS cutoff of 768, effectively clearing nearly the entire 601-plus bracket.
The July 20 PNP draw followed the same pattern, issuing exactly 511 invitations to match the 511 candidates above 600 at that time.
This strongly suggests IRCC has been running near-full-clearance PNP rounds, with invitation volumes closely matching the number of candidates recorded above 600 immediately before the draws.
The size and CRS cutoff of the next PNP round will depend entirely on how many fresh nominations provinces release into Express Entry between now and that draw date.
Ontario’s new Workforce Priority stream reopened its Expression of Interest portal on August 4, which could increase the flow of Ontario nominations into the Express Entry pool over the coming months.
Alberta and British Columbia also have remaining nomination allocations for 2026 and conducted multiple provincial draws in July, feeding additional nominees into the system.
Manitoba issued 2,146 invitations in a single draw on July 16, the largest MPNP round of 2026, signalling that western provinces are accelerating their use of nomination allocations in the second half of the year.
The 451 To 500 Range Holds The Largest Concentration Of Waiting Candidates
The 451 to 500 CRS range contains 73,099 candidates, up from 72,579 on July 19, a net gain of 520 profiles.
This range has remained the densest bracket in every IRCC pool snapshot published since January 2026, consistently holding between 70,000 and 75,000 profiles.
The 471 to 480 sub-bracket alone holds 16,368 candidates, the largest single 10-point segment within the entire pool.
For these candidates, a CEC invitation at the current cutoff range of 514 to 518 remains out of reach without a meaningful score improvement.
The most direct CRS gains available include retaking IELTS or CELPIP to improve individual band scores, completing a French language test at NCLC 7 or higher to qualify for French-language draws at CRS 391 to 420, or pursuing a provincial nomination for the 600-point CRS boost.
Category-Based Draws Offer Lower Entry Points For Eligible Candidates
The August 6 French-language draw issued 5,000 invitations at a CRS cutoff of 391, the lowest French-language cutoff of 2026. Across nine French-language draws so far this year, cutoffs have ranged from 391 to 420.
For the 50,107 candidates sitting in the 351 to 400 range and the 60,905 in the 401 to 450 range, category-based draws represent the most realistic pathway to an invitation without a provincial nomination.
IRCC has opened consultations on 2027 Express Entry categories that propose adding new high-value talent categories alongside the existing French-language, healthcare, and trades priorities.
Those consultations close on September 1, 2026, giving candidates a narrow window to understand which occupation-based categories may carry forward and which new ones could emerge.
The proposed Express Entry reforms that received over 17,000 public submissions during the spring 2026 consultation could also reshape CRS scoring factors, though implementation is not expected before late 2027 at the earliest.
August 2026 Express Entry Draws Completed So Far
IRCC has already completed the first draw cluster of August 2026, issuing invitations across three consecutive days.
Draw Category Date ITAs CRS Cutoff Provincial Nominee Program August 4 507 768 Canadian Experience Class August 5 3,000 516 French-Language Proficiency August 6 5,000 391 August Total (First Cluster) — 8,507 — A second draw cluster is expected in the third or fourth week of August if IRCC maintains the biweekly pattern that has defined draw scheduling since March 2026.
The year-to-date invitation total stands at 113,123 across 45 draws, according to the official IRCC rounds of invitations page, already within 865 invitations of the 113,988 issued across all of 2025, with nearly five months remaining.
The CRS distribution data points to specific actions that candidates in each score band should prioritize right now.
Candidates scoring 515 or above should ensure their Express Entry profiles are accurate and up to date with current work experience, language results, and education credentials before the next CEC round.
Candidates in the 490 to 514 range are closest to the CEC cutoff and should evaluate whether a language test retake could deliver the additional points needed to cross the threshold.
Even a one-band improvement in a single IELTS or CELPIP skill can add 15 to 30 CRS points depending on the candidate’s overall profile composition.
Candidates below 490 should shift focus toward provincial nominations, French-language qualification, or occupation-based category eligibility rather than waiting for a general CEC cutoff drop that the pool data does not support in the near term, a point reinforced by the eight immigration updates shaping August 2026.
IRCC’s August 2026 processing times show that Express Entry permanent residence applications are currently processed within approximately six to seven months, making a timely profile update critical for candidates hoping to secure a decision before mid-2027.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When is the next Express Entry draw expected in August 2026?
Based on the biweekly cluster pattern IRCC has followed since March 2026, the second draw cluster of August is expected in the week of August 17 to 22. IRCC typically opens each cluster with a PNP draw, followed by a CEC round and potentially a French-language or category-based draw on consecutive days. IRCC does not publish a guaranteed draw calendar, and timing can change without notice.
Will the CRS cutoff drop below 500 in 2026?
The current pool data does not support a CRS cutoff below 500 for CEC draws in the near term. The 501 to 600 range expanded by 1,572 candidates between July 19 and August 3 despite two CEC draws in July removing 4,000 profiles. A sustained drop below 500 would require IRCC to issue CEC volumes exceeding 5,000 per round for multiple consecutive months while inflow above 500 simultaneously decelerates.
How many candidates are currently in the Express Entry pool?
The Express Entry pool contained 229,100 candidates as of August 3, 2026. This represents a decline of 2,433 from the 231,533 recorded on July 19. The pool has fluctuated between approximately 229,000 and 238,000 across 2026, with temporary decreases following large draw clusters and subsequent refilling as new candidates enter the system.
What is the best strategy for candidates scoring between 451 and 500?
Candidates in the 451 to 500 range should pursue three parallel strategies. First, retaking IELTS or CELPIP to improve language band scores, which can add 15 to 30 CRS points per skill improvement. Second, booking a TEF or TCF French test to qualify for French-language draws at CRS cutoffs of 391 to 420, roughly 100 points below the CEC threshold. Third, applying to multiple provincial nominee programs simultaneously to secure a nomination worth 600 CRS points.
Why did the 501 to 600 CRS band increase despite CEC draws removing candidates?
Five consecutive pool snapshots confirm that the 501 to 600 range grew from 11,648 candidates on March 29 to 19,705 on August 3, a 69% increase despite seven CEC draws issuing 17,250 invitations from this band during that period. The range refills through three channels: new candidates entering with strong profiles, existing lower-scoring candidates improving their CRS through language retakes or additional work experience, and candidates who declined invitations or later created new profiles after expired invitations or refused applications. Overall, inflow into this band has exceeded outflow across the March-to-August period despite temporary declines between individual snapshots.
Fact-Check Line: All pool distribution data in this article was sourced from official IRCC CRS score distribution reports dated August 3, 2026, and July 19, 2026, published before the August 4 PNP and July 20 PNP Express Entry draws respectively. Draw results were verified against official Ministerial Instructions published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Disclaimer: This article is published for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional immigration advice. Express Entry eligibility and CRS scores depend on individual circumstances that may change without notice. Readers should consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant or licensed immigration lawyer before acting on any information presented here.
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- New OINP Calculator For Ontario Workforce Priority Stream 2026
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)New OINP Calculator 2026: The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has completely rebuilt the way it selects and scores immigration candidates for permanent residence in the province under the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.
The redesigned provincial nominee program that launched this summer introduced an entirely new scoring framework that replaced every former points grid overnight.
The scoring factors cover four separate categories, and the maximum possible total depends on which pathway you are applying through.
Below, we publish a free interactive new OINP calculator built on the official scoring matrix that Ontario released for 2026.
Use it to estimate your expression of interest score before you register, then read the full breakdown of every scoring factor and how each one is weighted.
Ontario ImmigrationOINP Workforce Priority Stream EOI Score Calculator
Choose the answers that apply to you to estimate the points you may receive for the Workforce Priority Stream Expression of Interest scoring factors.
Important: This is an EOI scoring calculator, not an eligibility assessment. Ontario states that scoring factors are not the same as stream criteria, and applicants must meet all stream requirements and support claimed points with documents.Applicant type
This selection changes which Ontario work-experience and wage questions apply.
Employment and labour market factors
These factors cover your NOC, wage or practice history, Canadian earnings and current legal status.
Education
Ontario requires a Canadian credential or an Educational Credential Assessment where applicable for the education-level factor.
Language
Use approved English or French test results and the lowest CLB across reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Regionalization
For job-offer applicants, use the work location in the employer’s job offer. Physicians use the Ontario practice address tied to OHIP billing-number registration.
0Employment0Education0Language0RegionalizationGuide For New OINP Calculator
How The OINP Calculator Works
The OINP calculator embedded on this page mirrors the four scoring categories that Ontario uses to rank expression of interest profiles under the Workforce Priority stream.
Each category contributes a specific number of points toward your total estimated EOI score.
Job offer applicants can score a maximum of 130 points across all four categories combined.
Self-employed physicians can score up to 115 points because the hourly wage factor does not apply to their pathway.
The calculator asks you to select your applicant type first, which determines whether you see the wage and job-offer experience questions or the physician practice experience question instead.
As you answer each question, the calculator updates your estimated score in real time and shows a category-by-category breakdown at the bottom of the tool.
A sticky score bar at the top of the calculator tracks your running total and tells you how many of the applicable questions you have answered.
This is an EOI scoring calculator and not an eligibility assessment, which means it does not confirm whether you meet the stream requirements.
You must still satisfy every eligibility criterion listed on Ontario’s official Workforce Priority stream page and provide supporting documents for every point you claim.
Scoring Categories And Maximum Points
Scoring Category Job Offer Max Physician Max Employment and Labour Market Factors 60 45 Education 20 20 Language 25 25 Regionalization 15 15 Total Maximum 130 115 Employment And Labour Market Factors
This is the largest scoring category in the OINP calculator, contributing up to 60 points for job offer applicants and up to 45 for self-employed physicians.
Six separate factors feed into this category, and the questions that appear depend on whether you selected “job offer applicant” or “self-employed physician.”
The first factor is your NOC TEER category, which is based on the five-digit NOC 2021 code tied to your job offer or physician application.
TEER 0 and TEER 1 occupations receive 9 points, TEER 2 and TEER 3 receive 6 points, and TEER 4 and TEER 5 receive 0 points for this factor.
The second factor is your NOC broad occupational category, which is the first digit of your five-digit NOC code.
Category 3, which covers health occupations, receives the highest allocation at 10 points.
Category 7 for trades, transport, and equipment operators receives 8 points, and Category 2 for natural and applied sciences receives 6 points.
Categories 0, 1, 4, 8, and 9 each receive 4 points, while Categories 5 and 6 covering sales, service, and arts receive 2 points each.
The third factor is the hourly wage in your Ontario job offer, which does not apply to self-employed physicians.
Wages of $40.00 per hour or higher receive the maximum 15 points, with a sliding scale down to 0 points for wages under $20.00 per hour.
The fourth factor measures your Ontario work experience, and the specific question you see depends on your applicant type and your answer.
Job offer applicants who have worked in the offered position for more than 24 months receive 18 points, scaling down to 12 points for 6 to 12 months.
If you have less than six months in the offered position, the calculator switches to a broader Ontario work experience question with a maximum of 12 points for more than 24 months of total provincial experience.
Self-employed physicians are scored on cumulative medical practice in Ontario, with 18 points for more than 24 months of practice and 0 points for less than six months.
The fifth factor is your highest qualifying Canadian annual earnings drawn from a Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment within the past five years.
Earnings of $70,000 or more in a single year receive 8 points, with lower ranges scaled at 6, 4, and 0 points, respectively.
The sixth factor is your current valid legal status in Canada, with 10 points for a valid work permit and 5 points for a valid study permit.
Candidates without either a valid work permit or a valid study permit receive 0 points for this factor.
Education Scoring Factors
The education category contributes up to 20 points to your OINP score and includes two separate factors.
The first factor is your highest level of education, which can earn between 0 and 10 points.
A doctorate or a degree in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or optometry receives 10 points at the top of the scale.
A master’s degree receives 8 points, a bachelor’s degree or university credential above or at the bachelor’s level receives 6 points, and college diplomas or trade certificates receive 5 points.
Foreign credentials must be evaluated through a valid Educational Credential Assessment to determine the Canadian equivalency.
The second factor is the number of qualifying Canadian education credentials you hold, with 10 points for more than one credential and 5 points for exactly one.
Each credential must be post-secondary, from an institution on Ontario’s eligible Canadian institutions list, and require at least one year of full-time study to complete.
Language Scoring Factors
The language category is worth up to 25 points and is measured using Canadian Language Benchmark levels from an approved English or French test.
The first language factor uses your lowest CLB level across all four abilities, meaning reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
CLB 9 or higher receives 15 points, CLB 8 receives 12 points, CLB 7 receives 8 points, CLB 6 receives 4 points, and CLB 5 or lower receives 0 points.
If you have both English and French test results, Ontario instructs you to use the test with the higher CLB level for this factor.
The second language factor awards 10 points if you have valid test results in both English and French with at least CLB 6 across all four abilities on each test.
Candidates with qualifying results in only one official language receive 5 points for this factor.
Regionalization Scoring Factor
The regionalization factor rewards candidates whose work location or physician practice is outside the Toronto metropolitan area, contributing up to 15 points.
Northern Ontario receives the highest allocation at 15 points, covering census divisions from Muskoka and Haliburton through Kenora.
Eastern Ontario, Central Ontario outside the Greater Toronto Area, and Southwestern Ontario each receive 10 points.
Locations inside the GTA but outside the City of Toronto, covering Durham, Halton, Peel, and York, receive 5 points based on the same regional definitions Ontario has used in previous draws.
The City of Toronto itself receives 0 regionalization points.
Ontario Region Points Northern Ontario 15 Eastern Ontario 10 Central Ontario outside GTA 10 Southwestern Ontario 10 Inside GTA except Toronto 5 City of Toronto 0 What Is An Expression Of Interest In Ontario Immigration
An expression of interest is a profile that candidates submit through the OINP e-Filing Portal to signal their availability and qualifications for a provincial nomination.
The EOI system is a competitive ranking mechanism where Ontario scores each profile and then issues invitations to the highest-ranked candidates in periodic draws.
Under the previous OINP structure, there were separate EOI grids for each stream, and scoring factors varied between the Foreign Worker, International Student, In-Demand Skills, Masters Graduate, and PhD Graduate pathways.
The 2026 overhaul consolidated all of those grids into a single scoring matrix with 130 possible points for job offer applicants and 115 for physicians.
Once you receive an invitation to apply, your employer must submit the application within 14 calendar days through the Employer Portal for approval of the employment position.
Ontario has stated that scoring factors used in the EOI ranking are not the same as stream eligibility criteria, and applicants must satisfy all requirements independently regardless of their point total.
How To Use This OINP Score To Plan Your Application
Ontario has not announced a cutoff score for the first Workforce Priority stream draws, but historical OINP draw data provides useful benchmarks.
Under the previous Foreign Worker stream, EOI cutoff scores ranged from the mid-50s to the low 60s in 2025 and early 2026 draws, depending on the targeted occupation and region.
International Student stream cutoffs were higher, typically landing in the 70s and low 80s.
The new scoring grid uses a completely different point structure, so those exact numbers do not carry over, but they signal that Ontario tends to set competitive thresholds rather than inviting every registered profile.
The 2026 to 2028 Immigration Levels Plan set the provincial nominee admission target at 91,500 for 2026, giving Ontario a larger nomination pool to work with this year.
Ontario already issued thousands of invitations under the old streams before retiring them, which means the remaining nomination capacity for the Workforce Priority stream through the end of 2026 may be limited.
Candidates who score in the upper range of the OINP calculator should treat the current intake window as time-sensitive and register their EOI as soon as their employer completes the portal submission.
How The OINP Score Differs From The Express Entry CRS
The OINP EOI score and the federal Comprehensive Ranking System score are two completely separate scoring systems that serve different purposes.
Your CRS score determines your ranking inside the federal Express Entry pool, while your OINP EOI score determines your ranking inside Ontario’s provincial nomination pool.
A high OINP score does not substitute for a strong CRS profile, and a high CRS score does not guarantee an Ontario nomination.
If Ontario nominates you through the Express Entry option of the Workforce Priority stream, you receive a 600-point CRS boost that virtually guarantees a federal invitation to apply for permanent residence.
Candidates who want to understand how the federal system works alongside the provincial one should review the proposed Express Entry changes that IRCC is currently consulting on for potential implementation in late 2027 or beyond.
Employer Requirements For The OINP Workforce Priority Stream
Every job offer applicant pathway under the Workforce Priority stream requires an eligible Ontario employer to register in the OINP Employer Portal and submit the job offer before the candidate can file an EOI.
The employer must have been actively operating a business in Ontario for at least three years at the time of the application.
Employers inside the Greater Toronto Area must demonstrate gross annual revenue of at least $1,000,000 in the most recent fiscal year.
Employers outside the GTA must demonstrate gross annual revenue of at least $500,000 in the most recent fiscal year.
These thresholds were part of the employer portal system introduced in July 2025 and continue to apply under the redesigned program.
Employers who previously registered in the portal do not need to register again, but they must submit a new job offer and a new application for approval of an employment position under the Workforce Priority stream.
Documents You Need To Support Your OINP Score
Ontario requires supporting documentation for every scoring factor you claim in your expression of interest, and applications that cannot substantiate claimed points face refusal.
The official applicant document checklist lists every required document by category.
For the employment factors, you need payslips; an employment letter confirming your position, wage, and start date; plus your Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment for the earnings factor.
For education, you need your degree or diploma and, if your credential was earned outside Canada, a valid Educational Credential Assessment report that is less than five years old.
For language, you need valid test results from an approved English or French test that measures all four CLB abilities.
Ontario does not accept academic IELTS or One Skill Retake tests under the scoring rules published for this stream.
For regionalization, the employer’s job offer must specify the work location, which Ontario uses to assign the applicable regional score automatically.
What Happens After You Submit Your Expression Of Interest
Once your EOI is active in the system, OINP can include your profile in any upcoming draw that matches your pathway, TEER level, occupation, or region.
OINP conducts targeted draws, which means not every registered profile is considered in every round.
If you receive an invitation to apply, your employer has 14 calendar days to submit the full application package through the Employer Portal.
OINP then reviews the application against both the eligibility criteria and the claimed scoring factors before issuing or refusing the nomination.
Candidates who receive a nomination can apply directly for permanent residence through the federal Provincial Nominee Program or, if eligible, add the nomination to their Express Entry profile for the 600-point CRS boost.
OINP may also launch Phase 2 of the OINP redesign later in 2026, which is expected to introduce additional pathways for healthcare workers and entrepreneurs that operate outside the Workforce Priority stream.
How To Find Your NOC Code For The OINP Calculator
Your NOC code determines two of the six employment scoring factors in this calculator, making it one of the most consequential inputs in your entire profile.
Search your job title and main duties in the Government of Canada NOC directory to find your five-digit NOC 2021 code.
The second digit of the code tells you your TEER category, which controls whether you receive 9, 6, or 0 points for the TEER factor.
The first digit tells you your broad occupational category, which controls whether you receive between 2 and 10 points depending on the industry grouping.
Candidates who are unsure about NOC code changes taking effect in 2026 should verify their code against the current edition before submitting their EOI.
TEER 4 and 5 workers should note that while they receive 0 points for the TEER factor, they remain fully eligible for the essential worker pathway and can still accumulate competitive scores through other categories.
Ontario Workforce Priority Stream Calculator And Next Steps
The OINP calculator on this page reflects the official scoring factors that Ontario published on July 20, 2026, for the Workforce Priority stream that replaced every former OINP pathway.
Use it to estimate your score, identify which categories offer the most room for improvement, and prepare your supporting documents before the first draws are announced.
Competition for the remaining 2026 nominations is expected to be intense across all provinces, and candidates who register early with strong profiles will be positioned to receive invitations as soon as Ontario begins issuing them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the maximum OINP score under the new Workforce Priority stream?
Job offer applicants can score a maximum of 130 points across employment, education, language, and regionalization factors, while self-employed physicians can score a maximum of 115 points because the hourly wage factor does not apply to their pathway.
Can I use my old OINP EOI profile in the new system?
No, Ontario withdrew all existing EOI profiles that had not received an invitation when the old system closed on June 25, 2026, and every candidate must register a fresh expression of interest through the new portal that reopened on August 4, 2026.
Does the OINP calculator tell me if I am eligible for a provincial nomination?
No, the calculator estimates your EOI score based on the published scoring factors, but eligibility is a separate determination that depends on meeting all stream requirements, including employer qualifications, work experience thresholds, language minimums, and document verification.
How often does Ontario hold Workforce Priority stream draws?
Ontario has not announced a draw schedule for the new stream yet, but under the previous system the province held draws as frequently as multiple times per month with varying occupation and region targets, and a similar pattern is expected once the new EOI pool reaches sufficient volume.
Is the OINP score the same as the Express Entry CRS score?
No, the OINP EOI score ranks your profile within Ontario’s provincial nomination system, while the CRS score ranks your profile within the federal Express Entry system, and the two use entirely different factors, scales, and maximums that are not interchangeable.
Fact-Checked: All information in this article has been verified against the Ontario Workforce Priority stream scoring factors, Ontario Regulation 422/17 on e-Laws, and the official OINP updates page on ontario.ca as of August 10, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is published by Immigration News Canada for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice; consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant or licensed immigration lawyer for guidance specific to your situation.
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- New Ontario Trillium Benefit Payment Coming This Week
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)New payments under the Ontario Trillium Benefit are scheduled to land on Monday, August 10, 2026, continuing the 2026–27 benefit year that launched with the July 10 deposit.
For most recipients this is a straightforward continuation of the monthly amount they received in July, but Ontario residents who filed their 2025 tax returns after the April 30 deadline may still be waiting for the CRA to assess their return and issue their first payment.
Under CRA rules, residents whose 2025 returns were assessed after June 19 will generally receive their first OTB payment, including any prior month entitlement, within four to eight weeks after the assessment is complete.
The 2026–27 benefit year reflects a confirmed 2% inflation indexation that raised the Ontario Sales Tax Credit maximum to $378 per person, up from $371 in the previous cycle, and adjusted the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit and Northern Ontario Energy Credit upward as well.
Here is everything Ontario residents need to know about the August 10 deposit, including how much you can receive, who qualifies, every remaining payment date through June 2027, and what to do if your payment has not arrived.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Ontario Trillium Benefit
The OTB is a provincial benefit funded by the Ontario government but administered and delivered by the Canada Revenue Agency, which bundles three individual tax credits into a single monthly deposit on the 10th of each month.
Each credit targets a different cost pressure facing Ontario residents, and you can qualify for one, two, or all three depending on your personal situation and where you live in the province.
Ontario Sales Tax Credit
The OSTC helps offset the provincial share of the HST for Ontario residents with lower incomes.
No separate application is needed because the CRA determines your entitlement automatically from the information on your filed tax return.
The maximum for the 2026–27 benefit year is $378 per eligible individual, with an additional $378 for a spouse or common law partner and $378 for each dependent child under 19.
The OSTC starts to decrease once adjusted family net income exceeds $29,047 for single individuals with no children or $36,309 for single parents and married or common law families, at a reduction rate of 4% on every dollar above the applicable threshold.
Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit
The OEPTC provides relief for property tax and energy costs and is the largest single component of the OTB, but it requires you to complete Form ON-BEN alongside your tax return to claim.
For the 2026–27 benefit year, the CRA has confirmed maximum OEPTC amounts of $1,307 for non-senior adults aged 18 to 64 and $1,488 for seniors aged 65 and older.
Residents living on a reserve or in a public or nonprofit long-term care home can receive up to $290.
Students who lived in a designated university, college, or private school residence in Ontario during 2025 can qualify for a $25 property tax component that is factored into their OEPTC calculation for the portion of the year they lived in residence.
The OEPTC calculation depends on your specific housing costs, family composition, and income level, with different phase-out thresholds applying to single individuals, couples, and senior households.
This is the credit that Ontario residents most frequently miss, because filing a tax return without the ON-BEN form means the CRA only calculates the OSTC and leaves up to $1,307 in annual OEPTC credits unclaimed.
Northern Ontario Energy Credit
The NOEC is reserved for residents of Northern Ontario who pay higher home energy costs than those in the southern part of the province.
For the 2026–27 benefit year, the maximum NOEC is $189 for single individuals with no children and $290 for couples and single parents.
Northern Ontario includes the districts of Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, and Timiskaming.
The NOEC phases out at 1% of adjusted family net income above $50,833 for single individuals and above $65,356 for families, which is a slower reduction rate than the OSTC or OEPTC.
Your NOEC eligibility is reassessed monthly based on where you live on the first day of each payment month, so moving out of a qualifying Northern Ontario district midyear will stop NOEC payments for subsequent months while your OSTC and OEPTC continue.
Eligibility Requirements for Each OTB Component
The CRA evaluates your eligibility separately for each of the three credits, and qualifying for even one of them entitles you to receive an OTB payment.
OSTC Requirements
You must be an Ontario resident at the beginning of the applicable payment month and meet at least one of the following conditions: you are 19 years of age or older at the beginning of that month, you have or had a spouse or common law partner, or you are a parent who lives or previously lived with your child.
No housing cost documentation is required because the OSTC is based solely on residency, age, family status, and income.
OEPTC Requirements
You must have been an Ontario resident on December 31, 2025, and have incurred at least one of the following costs during the 2025 tax year: rent for a principal residence where the landlord paid property tax, property tax on an Ontario home, accommodation costs at a public or nonprofit long-term care home, home energy costs on a reserve, or residence costs at a designated post-secondary institution.
You must also complete Form ON-BEN with your return, reporting your specific rent paid, property tax amounts, or other eligible housing costs for the year.
NOEC Requirements
You must have been a resident of a qualifying Northern Ontario district on December 31, 2025, and have paid rent, property tax, or home energy costs for your principal Northern Ontario residence.
Form ON-BEN is required for the NOEC as well.
ODSP Recipients
ODSP recipients may also qualify for one or more OTB components if they meet the applicable eligibility requirements for each credit, and OTB payments do not count as income for ODSP purposes.
However, receiving ODSP does not automatically qualify you for all three credits, since each component has its own separate residency, housing cost, and income conditions.
How Much You Can Receive From the Ontario Trillium Benefit
Your total OTB depends on which credits you qualify for, your adjusted family net income, family size, and housing costs, all calculated from your 2025 tax return and Form ON-BEN.
Maximum Annual Amounts for the 2026–27 Benefit Year
Credit Category Annual Maximum OSTC Per eligible person $378 OEPTC (non-senior) Ages 18–64 $1,307 OEPTC (senior) Ages 65+ $1,488 OEPTC (reserve/LTC) All ages $290 NOEC (single, no children) Northern Ontario $189 NOEC (couple/single parent) Northern Ontario $290 A family of four qualifying for the maximum OSTC alone would receive $1,512 per year, or $126 per month, from that single component.
Adding the OEPTC and NOEC where applicable can push the combined OTB well above $2,000 per year depending on housing costs, location, and household income.
You can estimate your specific entitlement using the CRA’s child and family benefits calculator, which accounts for all three components based on your individual inputs.
OSTC Phase Out Thresholds
Household Type Phase Out Begins Reduction Rate Single, no children $29,047 AFNI 4% Single parent or couple $36,309 AFNI 4% The OEPTC and NOEC use different phase-out thresholds that vary by family composition and age, with the OEPTC reducing at 2% above the applicable income level and the NOEC reducing at 1% above $50,833 for singles and $65,356 for families.
Lump Sum vs Monthly OTB Payments
If your total annual OTB entitlement is $500 or less, the CRA pays the full amount in a single lump sum in July rather than 12 monthly installments, a threshold that was increased from $360 under the 2026 Ontario Budget.
Recipients who received a single larger deposit on July 10 and see nothing on August 10 should check the CRA My Account to confirm whether their annual entitlement falls within the lump sum range.
What to Expect on August 10
Most recipients will see the same monthly amount they received on July 10, since both months fall within the same benefit year and draw from the same 2025 tax return data.
However, the following groups may see a different result.
Late Filers Still Awaiting Their First Payment
Residents whose 2025 returns were assessed after June 19 will generally receive their first OTB payment, including any prior month entitlement, within four to eight weeks after the assessment is complete, as confirmed on the CRA’s OTB questions and answers page.
The timing of this first payment depends entirely on when the CRA finishes processing the return, not on a fixed monthly date.
Once the initial payment is issued, regular monthly deposits will continue on the 10th of each subsequent month for the remainder of the benefit year.
Recipients Who Submitted T1 Adjustments to Add ON-BEN
Residents who filed their 2025 return without Form ON-BEN and later submitted a T1 adjustment may see a corrected OTB amount that now includes the OEPTC and NOEC components.
The CRA generally processes online T1 adjustments within approximately two weeks, while straightforward mailed requests have an 8-week service standard, and complex adjustments can take longer.
Marital Status or Address Changes
If you reported a change in marital status, custody arrangement, or Ontario address after your July payment was calculated, the CRA may adjust your August deposit to reflect the updated household information.
Moving from Northern Ontario to Southern Ontario before August 1 would remove the NOEC component from your August payment while keeping the OSTC and OEPTC intact.
OTB Payment Dates 2026–2027
The CRA issues OTB payments on the 10th of each month, shifting to the previous Friday when the 10th falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, as confirmed on the official OTB questions and answers page.
Dates through December 2026 are confirmed on the CRA’s published payment calendar.
Dates from January through June 2027 are expected dates based on the CRA’s standard payment rules and have not yet been individually published on the official benefits calendar.
Confirmed 2026 Dates
- August 10, 2026 — Monday
- September 10, 2026 — Thursday
- October 9, 2026 — Friday — moved from October 10 (Saturday)
- November 10, 2026 — Tuesday
- December 10, 2026 — Thursday
Expected 2027 Dates (Based on CRA Payment Rules)
- January 8, 2027 — Friday — January 10 falls on Sunday
- February 10, 2027 — Wednesday
- March 10, 2027 — Wednesday
- April 9, 2027 — Friday — April 10 falls on Saturday
- May 10, 2027 — Monday
- June 10, 2027 — Thursday — final payment of 2026–27 benefit year
Direct deposit recipients will typically see funds on the morning of each scheduled date, and those receiving cheques can set up direct deposit through CRA My Account for faster future payments.
How to Apply for the Ontario Trillium Benefit
The April 30 filing deadline has passed, but the OTB can still be claimed for the 2026–27 benefit year at any time.
If You Filed Taxes Without Form ON-BEN
Submit a T1 Adjustment Request through the CRA My Account or by mailing Form T1-ADJ to add the ON-BEN form to your already filed return.
The CRA generally processes online adjustment requests within approximately two weeks, while straightforward mailed requests have an 8-week service standard, and complex adjustments can take longer.
You can also claim OTB credits for previous years by filing T1 adjustments going back up to 10 years, which could result in a substantial retroactive payment covering multiple unclaimed benefit years.
If You Already Filed With ON-BEN
No further action is required because the CRA calculates your OTB automatically and deposits payments on the 10th of each month.
Log into CRA My Account to verify your expected payment amount and confirm your banking details are current.
What to Do if You Do Not Get Your Payment on August 10
Log into CRA My Account and confirm your 2025 tax return has been assessed, since an unassessed return is the most common reason for a missing OTB payment.
Verify that Form ON-BEN was included with your return by checking whether OEPTC and NOEC amounts appear in your benefit calculation, since filing without ON-BEN limits your OTB to the OSTC component only.
Check whether your total annual entitlement is $500 or less, because the CRA would have paid the full amount as a single lump sum on July 10, meaning no August payment is expected.
Confirm your direct deposit information is current in CRA My Account, as outdated banking details can cause deposits to be returned and reissued by cheque.
The CRA recommends waiting 10 business days after the scheduled date before calling the benefits inquiry line at 1-800-387-1193, and Ontario residents with policy questions can reach the Province of Ontario at 1-866-ONT-TAXS, as noted on the CRA’s Ontario benefits page.
The August 10 deposit continues the 2026–27 Ontario Trillium Benefit cycle at the indexed rates calculated from your 2025 tax return.
Ontario residents who filed on time with Form ON-BEN completed will see their regular monthly deposit arrive automatically on Monday morning.
Residents whose returns were recently assessed may receive a payment that includes prior month entitlement within four to eight weeks of their assessment date.
Log into CRA My Account today to verify your OTB entitlement and confirm your banking details are current.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is my August OTB payment different from July?
The most likely reason is that the CRA processed a change to your file between the two payment dates. Common triggers include a T1 adjustment adding the ON-BEN form, a marital status update, a reassessment of your 2025 return, or a change of address that affects your NOEC eligibility. Log into the CRA My Account to review your OTB calculation details and identify which component changed.
I got a lump sum in July and nothing in August. Is that normal?
Yes, this is expected if your total annual OTB entitlement is $500 or less, because the CRA pays the entire amount as a single July deposit under the lump-sum threshold introduced in the 2026 Ontario Budget. Check your CRA My Account benefit summary to confirm your annual OTB amount.
Can I still apply for the OTB even though the filing deadline has passed?
Yes, you can file your 2025 return at any time and the CRA will calculate your OTB once the return is assessed, generally within four to eight weeks. Any payments for months that have already passed will be included as prior month entitlement in your first deposit, and regular monthly payments will resume from the following month.
Does the OTB reduce my ODSP or other provincial disability supports?
No, the OTB is exempt from ODSP income calculations and does not reduce your provincial disability support payments. ODSP recipients who meet the eligibility requirements for any of the three OTB credits can receive OTB payments on top of their provincial support.
Can I claim the OTB for years I missed in the past?
Yes, you can submit T1 Adjustment Requests through CRA My Account for any year going back up to 10 years where you were an eligible Ontario resident and did not claim the OEPTC or NOEC components. This is one of the most underused features of the Ontario tax system, and residents who missed several years of ON-BEN filings could receive thousands of dollars in retroactive payments.
Fact-checked: All payment dates, benefit amounts, eligibility requirements, income thresholds, phase-out rates, and application procedures in this article are verified against official Ontario government, Canada Revenue Agency, and Government of Canada sources as of August 9, 2026. January through June 2027 payment dates are expected dates based on CRA’s published payment rules and have not yet been individually confirmed on the CRA’s 2027 calendar.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Individual benefit amounts depend on personal circumstances, including income, marital status, housing costs, and location within Ontario. OEPTC calculations vary by family composition, age, and actual housing costs paid. Always verify your specific entitlement through the CRA My Account. Consult a qualified professional for advice on your individual situation.
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- New Service Canada Benefit Payments Coming In August 2026
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)Service Canada will issue benefit payments on two dates in August 2026, covering pensions, disability support, and survivor income for millions of Canadians.
The Canada Disability Benefit arrives first on August 20, followed by the combined CPP, OAS, GIS, and Allowance payments on August 27, continuing the quarterly rates from the 1.2% OAS increase that took effect in July.
August is the second month at the July-to-September 2026 OAS rates, and the eighth month under the 2% annual CPP indexation that began in January.
The CRA also issues several benefit payments in August on separate dates, as covered in our CRA benefit payments in August guide.
This article covers every Service Canada payment arriving in August, including exact dates, current maximum amounts, eligibility criteria, remaining 2026 deposit dates, and how to apply.
Table of Contents
Canada Disability Benefit
The Canada Disability Benefit is a monthly payment for working-age Canadians with disabilities, and it is the first Service Canada deposit of the month on August 20.
The maximum CDB amount for the 2026-27 benefit year is $204.20 per month, up from $200 after a 2.1% CPI indexation that took effect with the July 16 payment.
The annual maximum works out to $2,450.40 for the full July 2026 through June 2027 benefit year.
This benefit is income-tested, which means many recipients receive less than the maximum based on their individual or family net income from their 2025 tax return.
CDB Supplemental Payment
A one-time supplemental payment of $150 is confirmed to begin in September 2026, designed to help offset the cost of obtaining a Disability Tax Credit certification.
If you received any CDB payment before September 2026, you are automatically eligible for the supplemental amount without submitting a separate application.
CDB Eligibility
You must be between 18 and 64 years of age and have a valid, approved Disability Tax Credit certificate on file with the CRA.
You and your spouse or common-law partner must have filed your 2025 federal income tax return.
You must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, a person registered or entitled to be registered under the Indian Act, a protected person, or a temporary resident who has lived in Canada throughout the previous 18 months.
The CDB is separate from CPP Disability and can be received alongside it, though your CPP Disability income counts toward the income test that determines your CDB amount.
Single individuals receive the full monthly CDB when their adjusted net income is below the program threshold, with a 20% reduction rate applied to income above that level.
The CDB is not taxable, does not need to be reported on your annual return, and most provinces have confirmed that it does not reduce provincial disability benefits.
Canada Pension Plan
The next CPP deposit is confirmed for Thursday, August 27, 2026, according to the official benefits payment calendar published by the Government of Canada.
All CPP benefits received a 2% annual indexation effective January 2026, and that rate applies to every monthly payment through the end of the year.
CPP Maximum Payment Amounts For 2026
Benefit Type Average Amount Maximum Amount Retirement pension (at age 65) $877.01 $1,507.65 Disability pension $1,234.68 $1,741.20 Survivor pension (under 65) $549.62 $803.54 Survivor pension (65 and older) $339.36 $904.59 Children’s benefit $307.81 $307.81 Post-retirement benefit (at 65) $25.76 $54.69 Death benefit (one-time) $2,606.18 $2,500.00 These maximums represent what a new recipient with a full contribution history would receive starting in January 2026, as per the official CPP payment amounts page.
Maximum CPP benefit amounts increase slightly each month during the year as a result of the CPP enhancement that began phasing in during 2019.
CPP Eligibility
You must have made at least one valid contribution to the CPP during your working years.
The standard age to begin CPP retirement is 65, but you can start as early as 60 with a permanent 0.6% reduction per month or delay until 70 for a 0.7% increase per month.
For the May 2026 CPP payment, Service Canada confirmed that CPP retirement and survivor benefits can be paid to recipients living outside Canada in most cases.
If you continue working while receiving CPP retirement before age 70, you make additional contributions that generate post-retirement benefits, adding a small amount to your monthly CPP each January.
Workers who earned above the Year’s Maximum Pensionable Earnings of $74,600 in 2026 also contribute to CPP2, which will eventually increase future benefit amounts.
OAS Payment
The next OAS deposit arrives on the same day as CPP, on Thursday, August 27, 2026, reflecting the July-to-September 2026 quarterly rates confirmed by the Government of Canada.
OAS benefits are adjusted quarterly in January, April, July, and October to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index.
The 1.2% quarterly increase that took effect with the July 29 deposit is the largest single-quarter adjustment of 2026, following a 0.3% January increase and a 0.1% April increase.
OAS Maximum Monthly Amounts (July to September 2026)
Benefit Maximum Monthly Amount OAS pension (aged 65 to 74) $751.97 OAS pension (aged 75 and over) $827.17 Published OAS rates do not decrease solely because the CPI falls, though an individual’s payment can still change due to income, residency, or eligibility factors.
Seniors aged 75 and over receive a 10% enhancement on top of the base OAS pension, which is why their maximum is higher.
OAS Eligibility
You must be 65 years of age or older and a Canadian citizen or legal resident according to the official Old Age Security program page.
You need a minimum of 10 years of Canadian residence after age 18 to qualify for a partial pension and 40 years of residence to receive the full amount.
Canada has social security agreements with more than 60 countries that allow foreign residence or contribution periods to count toward OAS eligibility.
OAS Deferral
You can defer OAS past age 65 in exchange for a higher monthly pension, with each month of deferral adding 0.6% to your payment, up to a 36% increase at age 70.
The maximum retroactive start date for OAS is 11 months, and the deferral period itself does not count toward retroactivity.
Deferring OAS means you are not eligible for GIS during the deferral period because GIS requires active OAS receipt.
OAS Recovery Tax
Higher-income seniors face the OAS recovery tax, which reduces their pension by 15 cents for every dollar of net world income above the annual threshold.
The published OAS pension repayment range for 2026 income is $95,323 to $155,109 for seniors aged 65 to 74, with an upper threshold of $161,088 for seniors aged 75 and over, according to the official Q3 2026 rate card.
Net world income includes your OAS pension itself, and the recovery tax is generally spread across 12 monthly OAS payments after the CRA calculates it.
GIS Payment
The Guaranteed Income Supplement is deposited alongside OAS on August 27 and provides additional tax-free monthly income to low-income OAS recipients.
GIS amounts were recalculated in July using your 2025 tax return data, replacing the 2024 income that governed GIS payments from July 2025 through June 2026.
GIS Maximum Amounts (July to September 2026)
Situation Maximum Monthly Income Cutoff Single, widowed, or divorced $1,123.17 $22,800 Spouse/partner receives OAS $676.09 $30,096 Spouse/partner does not receive OAS or Allowance $1,123.17 $54,624 Spouse/partner is an Allowance recipient $676.09 $42,144 Income cutoffs exclude the OAS pension itself, the first $5,000 of employment income, and 50% of employment income between $5,000 and $15,000.
If you did not file your 2025 tax return by the April 30 deadline, your GIS payments may have been suspended starting in July 2026.
Filing your return as soon as possible is the only way to restore suspended GIS payments, and Service Canada will issue retroactive deposits for any months you missed.
GIS Eligibility
You must be receiving an OAS pension and your annual income must fall below the cutoff for your marital situation.
GIS is not taxable and does not need to be reported as income on your next tax return.
Allowance And Allowance For The Survivor
The Allowance and Allowance for the Survivor are also deposited on August 27 alongside OAS and GIS for eligible recipients aged 60 to 64.
The Allowance provides up to $1,428.06 per month to low-income individuals aged 60 to 64 whose spouse or common-law partner receives OAS and GIS.
The Allowance for the Survivor provides up to $1,702.34 per month to low-income individuals aged 60 to 64 whose spouse or common-law partner has passed away and who have not remarried or entered a new common-law relationship.
Both programs stop when you turn 65 and transition to the regular OAS and GIS programs.
You must be a Canadian citizen or legal resident with at least 10 years of Canadian residence after age 18 to qualify for either Allowance.
All Remaining Service Canada Payment Dates In 2026
Benefit Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec CDB Aug 20 Sep 17 Oct 15 Nov 19 Dec 17 CPP Aug 27 Sep 25 Oct 28 Nov 26 Dec 22 OAS / GIS / Allowance Aug 27 Sep 25 Oct 28 Nov 26 Dec 22 OAS rates will be reviewed again for the October-to-December quarter, and the CPP and OAS payment dates are confirmed on the official Government of Canada benefits calendar.
The December 22 payment for both CPP and OAS is issued earlier than usual to accommodate year-end banking schedules.
How To Apply And Ensure You Receive Your Payments
CPP retirement applications can be submitted online through My Service Canada Account, by mail using form ISP-1000, or in person at a Service Canada centre.
You should apply for CPP at least six months before you want payments to begin, as processing can take several months.
OAS is administered automatically for most Canadians, with Service Canada sending a notification letter in the month after you turn 64 to confirm your enrollment.
If you did not receive a notification, you may need to apply manually through My Service Canada Account or by submitting form ISP-3550.
The Canada Disability Benefit requires a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate, which involves having a medical practitioner complete Form T2201 and submitting it to the CRA.
GIS is automatically assessed when you file your tax return and qualify for OAS, but new applicants may need to submit form ISP-3025.
Setting up direct deposit through My Service Canada Account is the fastest way to receive all Service Canada payments on the scheduled date.
If your payment has not arrived, wait 5 to 10 business days before contacting Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914.
Summary Of August 2026 Service Canada Payments
Benefit Program Payment Date Maximum Amount Recipient Type Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) August 20 $204.20/month Adults 18-64 with DTC CPP Retirement Pension August 27 $1,507.65/month Contributors aged 60+ CPP Disability Pension August 27 $1,741.20/month Disabled contributors OAS Pension (65-74) August 27 $751.97/month Seniors 65-74 OAS Pension (75+) August 27 $827.17/month Seniors 75+ GIS (Single) August 27 $1,123.17/month Low-income OAS recipients Allowance August 27 $1,428.06/month Spouses aged 60-64 Allowance for the Survivor August 27 $1,702.34/month Surviving spouses 60-64 The OAS, GIS, and Allowance amounts are the published maximums for the July-to-September 2026 quarter.
CPP amounts are the 2026 maximums that came into effect in January 2026, while the CDB amount applies to the July 2026-to-June 2027 benefit year.
August 2026 delivers Service Canada benefit payments on two separate dates, providing pensions, disability income, and survivor support to millions of Canadians.
Mark August 20 for the CDB deposit and August 27 for CPP, OAS, GIS, and the Allowances, and verify your amounts through My Service Canada Account before each payment date.
OAS rates will be reviewed again for the October-to-December 2026 quarter, and the CDB supplemental payment of $150 arrives in September.
For CRA-administered benefits arriving in August on separate dates, see our complete CRA benefit payments in August guide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I receive both CPP and OAS on the same day?
Yes, CPP and OAS are deposited on the same date each month, and most seniors receive both as separate transactions in a single day, as per the official Service Canada schedule. GIS, the Allowance, and the Allowance for the Survivor also arrive on the same day as OAS for recipients who qualify. If you also receive CRA-administered benefits like the CCB or OTB, those arrive on different dates and are managed through CRA My Account rather than My Service Canada Account.
Does the CDB reduce my provincial disability benefits?
Most provinces have confirmed that the CDB does not reduce provincial disability support. Alberta has confirmed that CDB payments do not reduce AISH or ADAP benefits, and British Columbia exempts CDB income from its Persons with Disabilities calculation. Ontario has confirmed that ODSP does not claw back CDB payments, though policies in smaller provinces may vary and should be verified with your provincial program.
Will my OAS amount change again in October 2026?
OAS amounts are reviewed quarterly, and the October-to-December 2026 rates will be published by Service Canada before the October 28 payment. The adjustment depends on CPI movements during the reference period, and it is possible for OAS to remain unchanged in a quarter if inflation is flat. Published OAS rates do not decrease solely because the CPI falls, but your individual payment can change if your income, residency, or eligibility status shifts.
How do I know if my CPP amount is correct after the January indexation?
Log into your My Service Canada Account to compare your January 2026 payment with your December 2025 payment. The difference should reflect approximately a 2% increase for benefits that were in pay before January 2026. If you started CPP in 2026, your amount reflects both the indexation and the CPP enhancement, so a direct comparison with pre-2026 rates will not produce a clean 2% difference.
Can I receive CPP payments while living outside Canada?
CPP retirement and survivor benefits can generally be paid to recipients living outside Canada regardless of their country of residence, as confirmed in our May 2026 CPP guide. Canada has social security agreements with more than 60 countries that protect pension entitlements when you move abroad. OAS eligibility for non-residents depends on how many years of Canadian residence you completed after age 18, with a minimum of 20 years required for OAS to be paid outside Canada.
Fact-Checked: All payment dates, benefit amounts, income thresholds, and eligibility details in this article have been verified against the official Government of Canada benefits calendar and the Q3 2026 (July to September) CPP and OAS rate card published on canada.ca as of August 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Benefit amounts shown represent published maximums for recipients who meet full eligibility requirements. Your actual payment may differ based on your contribution history, residency, income, age, and family status.
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- New Government Of Canada Jobs Hiring In August 2026
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)The Government of Canada is actively recruiting for jobs across multiple departments this month, with live job postings spanning tax enforcement, corrections, maritime response, national park operations, and parliamentary student programs.
Salaries on the current batch of openings range from about $29 per hour for skilled trades roles all the way up to $122,817 per year for senior tax auditors in the Atlantic region.
Two of these postings have closing dates at the end of August 2026, which means applicants who delay risk missing the intake window entirely.
Others remain open into the fall and winter, giving candidates more time to prepare their applications and gather the required documentation.
Every position profiled below is a verified, live posting on the official GC Jobs portal or a department-specific recruitment platform as of August 6, 2026.
Most of these roles are open to persons residing in Canada, including Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with preference given to veterans first under federal hiring policy.
This roundup covers postings from the Canada Revenue Agency, Correctional Service Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard under the Department of National Defence, Parks Canada, and the House of Commons Administration.
Table of Contents
August 2026 Federal Job Postings at a Glance
The table below provides a quick comparison of every posting covered in this article, including the hiring department, location, salary range, classification level, and application deadline.
Position Department Location Salary Level Deadline Response and Compliance Positions Canadian Coast Guard / DND NB, NS, NL, ON, PE, QC $74,995 – $95,704 GT-04, GT-05 Aug 31, 2026 Maintenance Worker III Parks Canada Coastal B.C. $29.20 – $31.73/hr GL-MAN-05 Aug 31, 2026 Correctional Officer I Correctional Service Canada AB, BC, MB, NB, NS, ON, QC, SK $77,510 – $97,266 CX-01 Dec 31, 2026 Income Tax Auditors (AU03) Canada Revenue Agency Atlantic Region $99,864 – $122,817 AU-003 Oct 13, 2026 SP04 Officer – Jonquière Canada Revenue Agency Jonquière, QC $65,389 – $73,595 SP-004 Oct 30, 2026 SP-01 to SP-04 Positions Canada Revenue Agency Sudbury, ON $46,904 – $73,595 SP-01 to SP-04 Nov 27, 2026 Co-op Students House of Commons Ottawa, ON $38,751 – $64,902 STU-2 Open Student Employment Program House of Commons Ottawa, ON $38,751 – $64,902 STU-2 Open Canadian Coast Guard — Response and Compliance Positions (GT-04 and GT-05)
The Canadian Coast Guard, operating as a special agency within the Department of National Defence, is recruiting Response and Compliance officers at the GT-04 and GT-05 classification levels.
GT-04 positions pay between $74,995 and $85,266 per year, while GT-05 roles offer $84,174 to $95,704 annually.
These positions are spread across 12 locations in six provinces: Saint John and Dartmouth in the Atlantic; Parry Sound and Prescott and Sarnia in Ontario; Charlottetown in Prince Edward Island; and Montréal and Québec City in Quebec.
The posting closes on August 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, making it one of the most time-sensitive openings in this batch.
Officers in these roles support Canada’s maritime safety operations along its 243,000-kilometre coastline, the longest of any country in the world.
Daily responsibilities include incident response, compliance monitoring, working with multi-disciplinary teams, and preparing technical reports and analysis documents.
GT-05 applicants must also demonstrate experience overseeing operational program activities, providing technical advice, and liaising with external organizations.
A secondary school diploma is the minimum education requirement, though employer-approved alternatives, including a PSC test score or an acceptable combination of education, training, and experience, are accepted.
Both levels require experience working with multi-disciplinary teams, preparing and analyzing reports, and building collaborative relationships with stakeholders.
Conditions of employment include obtaining a Health Canada medical certificate, holding a valid Class 5 driver’s licence, carrying a valid Canadian passport, and willingness to travel by ship, aircraft, and small vessel to remote locations.
Employees must be willing to work overtime; be on call, including nights and weekends; and work in potentially hazardous marine conditions.
This is an inventory posting, which means applicants are not applying for one specific job but for a pool that the department draws from as vacancies arise.
The first pull from the inventory was scheduled for as early as July 2, 2026, and additional pulls will continue through the posting period.
Click here for more information and to apply online for this job posting.
Parks Canada — Maintenance Worker III (Coastal British Columbia)
Parks Canada is hiring Maintenance Worker III positions across its Coastal B.C. Field Unit, with work locations including Colwood, Langley, Sidney, and both Tofino and Ucluelet within the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
The hourly pay rate is $29.20 to $31.73, with the salary currently under review by the agency.
This is an inventory posting that closes on August 31, 2026, and may be used to fill vacancies of various tenures, including year-round indeterminate, seasonal, part-time, and casual positions.
Workers in these Parks Canada jobs provide general maintenance, repair, and labour services supporting grounds, facilities, housing, potable water and sewer systems, and other infrastructure across the national park system.
The role requires graduation from secondary school or an acceptable combination of education, training, and experience.
Applicants must demonstrate experience in at least one technical function such as plumbing, building repair, equipment maintenance, or electrical work.
Experience with manual and power tools, computer applications like Microsoft Outlook and Excel, basic carpentry or construction, and general grounds maintenance are all essential requirements.
A valid Class 5 driver’s license is mandatory, and candidates must obtain and maintain Reliability Status security clearance.
The posting is open to all persons who have legal status to work in Canada, which is a broader eligibility threshold than many federal government job postings that restrict applications to citizens and permanent residents.
Candidates with chainsaw proficiency certification or a Small Vessel Operator Proficiency certificate may receive additional assessment credits.
Housing accommodations are not provided by the agency for these positions.
Click here for more information on this job opening and to apply online.
Correctional Service Canada — Correctional Officer I (CX-01)
Correctional Service Canada is running an ongoing national recruitment process for Correctional Officer I positions at federal penitentiaries across the country.
The salary range is $77,510 to $97,266 per year at the CX-01 classification level.
Positions are available in 24 locations across eight provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.
The posting remains open until December 31, 2026, giving candidates a wide application window, but applicants should note that the inventory is accessed periodically and earlier applications may be processed sooner.
Correctional Officers maintain the safety and security of Canada’s 43 federal institutions, supervise and interact with offenders, conduct routine patrols and inmate counts, search cells and living units, and draft daily operational logs.
CSC employs more than 20,000 people nationwide, making it one of the largest employers in the federal public service.
The education requirement is a secondary school diploma or a satisfactory score on the Public Service Commission equivalency test.
Successful candidates must complete the three-stage Correctional Training Program, which starts with approximately 80 hours of online learning, progresses through a second virtual stage, and culminates in a 14-week in-person training program delivered primarily in Kingston, Ontario, or Summerside, Prince Edward Island.
During Stage 3, recruits receive a weekly allowance of $400 on top of provided meals and lodging, for a maximum of $5,600 over the full training period.
Applicants must hold a valid unrestricted driver’s licence, pass a Health Canada Category III medical assessment covering vision, hearing, and physical fitness, and clear a psychological evaluation.
The medical assessment includes a vision test requiring corrected vision of 6/9 in the better eye and 6/15 in the other and a hearing test requiring no more than a 25-decibel average loss at 500 to 3,000 hertz.
Institutions operate around the clock, and officers must be available to work shifts, variable hours, weekends, and statutory holidays.
Quebec applicants need a valid Class 4A driver’s licence for emergency vehicles issued by the SAAQ.
The application process requires completing a two-part submission, with the second part delivered through the VidCruiter platform within 3 to 5 days of the initial application.
Candidates who do not complete part 2 will not be considered further in the selection process.
Click here for more information and to apply online.
Canada Revenue Agency — AU03 Income Tax Auditors (Atlantic Region)
The CRA is actively hiring experienced Income Tax Auditors at the AU-003 classification level for multiple positions across the Atlantic Region.
The salary range is $99,864 to $122,817 per year, making these the highest-paying positions in this month’s roundup of federal job openings.
Work locations include Bathurst, Moncton, and Saint John in New Brunswick; Sydney and Halifax in Nova Scotia; Charlottetown and Summerside in Prince Edward Island; and St. John’s in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The posting closes on October 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Four distinct audit roles are available under this single requisition: Business Valuator, Income Tax Auditor, International Tax Auditor, and Tax Avoidance Auditor.
Business Valuators conduct independent valuations of complex securities and equity transactions and prepare reports in accordance with CICBV standards.
International Tax Auditors perform compliance reviews of large businesses and multinational corporations involving cross-border tax issues.
Tax Avoidance Auditors investigate aggressive domestic and international tax avoidance schemes targeting complex large businesses, trusts, and high-wealth individuals.
All four roles require eligibility for a professional accounting designation or a degree with acceptable specialization in accounting.
Tax Avoidance and International Tax Auditor candidates need a minimum of three years of experience within the last five years working in Canadian income tax compliance with large or complex corporations, generally defined as those with gross revenues exceeding $10 million.
Income Tax Auditors and Business Valuators can qualify through either the same three-year requirement or through recent and significant experience in Canadian income tax compliance that may include preparing financial statements, administering accounting policies, or providing tax planning advice under the Income Tax Act.
A Chartered Professional Accountant designation is an asset, as is progression toward the CPA In-Depth Tax Course, a Master of Tax, or a Chartered Business Valuator designation.
Candidates must reside within 125 kilometres of one of the listed work locations.
The CRA currently has restrictions on certain hiring activities, so staffing from this process will initially be limited to temporary opportunities, though permanent appointments may follow if circumstances change while the pool remains valid.
Click here for more information from the official CRA webpage and to apply online.
Canada Revenue Agency — SP04 Officer at the Jonquière Tax Centre
The CRA is also recruiting SP-04 level officers for various processing and compliance roles at the Jonquière Tax Centre in Quebec.
The salary range is $65,389 to $73,595 per year, and the posting closes on October 30, 2026.
Five specific job profiles are available under this pool: EFILE Officer, Compliance Services Officer, Assessment Processing Officer, Assessment Accounts and Benefits Processing Officer, and Processing Officer for Accounts Benefits and Rebates.
Core responsibilities include analyzing and processing tax files, resolving non-routine enquiries from taxpayers and benefit recipients, preparing audit and examination plans, conducting legislative research, and maintaining quality statistics on completed work.
The language requirement is bilingual imperative at the BBB/BBB level, which the CRA considers intermediate proficiency in a second official language.
Starting in July 2026, employees at the Jonquière Tax Centre are required to work on-site a minimum of four days per week, with some positions requiring five-day on-site attendance.
The minimum education requirement is a secondary school diploma, though the Compliance Services Officer role requires additional introductory accounting credentials from a recognized post-secondary institution or professional accounting association.
Once an applicant accepts a temporary job offer from this pool, they may no longer be eligible for other opportunities from this process or from the related SP-03 staffing process for the duration of their contract.
Staffing from this process is currently limited to temporary opportunities due to CRA hiring restrictions.
Click here for full details and to apply online.
Canada Revenue Agency — Entry-Level SP-01 to SP-04 Positions in Sudbury, Ontario
The CRA is hiring for entry-level positions ranging from SP-01 to SP-04 at the Sudbury Tax Centre in Ontario, with salaries spanning $46,904 to $73,595 depending on the classification level.
The posting closes on November 27, 2026, and is intended to fill short-term contract positions at 1050 Notre Dame Avenue in Sudbury with durations up to six months.
No permanent offers will be made from this staffing process.
SP-01 and SP-02 duties involve sorting, scanning, and filing large volumes of incoming mail and documents, and inspecting high volumes of forms for accuracy.
SP-03 and SP-04 duties involve reviewing populated forms requiring corrective action, identifying issues, conducting research through internal and external sources, and in some cases handling difficult client interactions.
No prior work experience is required for any of the positions in this posting, making it one of the most accessible federal government entry points for job seekers in the current hiring cycle.
SP-01, SP-02, and SP-03 positions require successful completion of two years of secondary school education.
SP-04 positions require a full secondary school diploma.
Language requirements vary by level: SP-01 and SP-02 positions are English Essential, while SP-03 and SP-04 positions may be either English Essential or Bilingual Imperative at various levels.
Applicants must reside within 125 kilometres of the Sudbury Tax Centre, and many positions require five-day on-site attendance each week.
Shifts may vary between 7:00 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time, including potential weekend and statutory holiday requirements.
The CRA may give preference to the first 200 applicants who meet the staffing requirements, and candidates can only submit one application to this process.
Candidates who have lived outside Canada continuously for six months or longer in the last five years must provide a Certificate of Good Conduct from the other country.
Click here to get more official information and to apply online.
House of Commons — Student Employment Opportunities in Ottawa
The House of Commons Administration is running two separate student recruitment streams for positions based in Ottawa, Ontario.
Both streams are classified at the STU-2 level with pay ranging from $38,751 to $64,902, and both require on-site work at the House of Commons in the Parliamentary Precinct.
Co-op Student Positions
The first stream targets students enrolled in a post-secondary cooperative education program.
These full-time placements run 35 hours per week, typically last about 16 weeks, and are available during the 2026-2027 academic year covering spring, summer, fall, and winter terms.
Fields of work include administrative support, accounting, communications, architecture, engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, broadcasting, culinary arts, and several others.
Applicants must be currently enrolled as full-time students at an accredited post-secondary institution and registered in a co-op program.
Click here for more information on Co-op student positions and to apply online.
Student Employment Program
The second stream is broader and does not require co-op program enrollment.
Students enrolled at either secondary or post-secondary accredited academic institutions are eligible to apply.
The same fields of work are available, and the same STU-2 pay scale applies.
For both programs, applicants must be at least 16 years of age and must hold Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or a valid study permit for international students.
Proof of enrollment is required during the hiring process, and fluency in both official languages is an asset but not a mandatory requirement.
Accommodation requests can be directed to the Recruitment and Selection Services team at the email address provided in each posting.
Click here to get more information and to apply online.
How to Apply for These Positions
Most of the postings above accept applications exclusively through the official GC Jobs portal or through department-specific recruitment platforms.
CRA positions require applications through the CRA Careers website, where candidates must create a profile, upload education credentials, and complete a staffing questionnaire.
House of Commons postings use the SmartRecruiters platform, accessible through the House of Commons careers page.
Applicants to the Correctional Officer I posting must complete a two-part application, with the second part submitted through the VidCruiter platform within 3 to 5 days of the initial GC Jobs submission.
Failing to complete part 2 is a common disqualification reason and is specifically flagged by Correctional Service Canada in the posting itself.
All applicants should ensure that uploaded education documents are clear, legible, and show their full legal name matching their government-issued photo identification.
Foreign education credentials must include a Canadian equivalency assessment from a recognized credential assessment service.
What This Means for Job Seekers in August 2026
The current federal job openings span multiple departments and agencies, covering roles in corrections, maritime operations, tax administration, parks maintenance and parliamentary student employment.
Two postings, the Coast Guard and Parks Canada roles, close on August 31 and should be treated as urgent for anyone who meets the requirements.
The CRA postings, particularly the entry-level Sudbury roles that require no prior experience, represent some of the most accessible entry points into the federal public service this year.
At the other end of the salary scale, the AU-03 Income Tax Auditor positions in the Atlantic Region offer experienced accounting professionals a path into one of Canada’s largest revenue agencies at compensation levels above $120,000.
Applicants should pay close attention to residency requirements, as several CRA postings restrict eligibility to candidates living within 125 kilometres of the work location.
The Correctional Officer I posting is the only one with a December 31 deadline, but because it uses a rolling inventory system, earlier applicants may be assessed and placed sooner.
For students, the House of Commons programs offer rare access to work inside one of Canada’s most iconic political institutions, with competitive pay and exposure to fields ranging from cybersecurity to culinary arts.
Every posting listed in this article was verified as active on the official recruitment platforms as of August 6, 2026, but deadlines and application volumes can change without notice.
Readers are encouraged to apply as early as possible, particularly for inventory-style postings where preference may be given to the first batch of qualifying applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can temporary foreign workers apply for these Government of Canada jobs?
Most federal government postings restrict eligibility to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with some extending access to persons residing in Canada. The Parks Canada Maintenance Worker III posting is an exception, as it is open to all persons with legal status to work in Canada, which can include work permit holders. Each posting specifies its own eligibility criteria under the section titled Who Can Apply, and applicants should review that language carefully before submitting.
Do these federal government positions offer remote work options?
The majority of positions in this roundup require on-site presence, with several explicitly stating five-day in-office attendance. The CRA’s Sudbury posting notes that many jobs require 100% on-site presence, while the Jonquière Tax Centre requires a minimum of four days per week starting July 2026. The Coast Guard and Parks Canada roles are inherently field-based and cannot be performed remotely.
How long does the federal government hiring process typically take?
Federal hiring timelines vary significantly by department and by whether the posting is an inventory or a direct selection process. Inventory postings like the Correctional Officer I and Coast Guard roles draw from a pool over several months, meaning some applicants may wait weeks or months before hearing back. CRA postings that prioritize early applicants, such as the Sudbury roles that may favour the first 200, can move faster for candidates who apply immediately after the posting goes live.
Is bilingualism required for all Government of Canada jobs?
No, bilingualism requirements vary by position and location. Several postings in this roundup are classified as English Essential, particularly those in Ontario and Western Canada. Quebec-based roles, including the Jonquière Tax Centre and some Correctional Service Canada positions, require French or bilingual proficiency at specific levels. Fluency in both official languages is listed as an asset for House of Commons student positions but is not mandatory for eligibility.
What happens if a CRA hiring pool closes before I receive an offer?
Being placed in a CRA pool does not guarantee a job offer, and pools have defined validity periods. If the pool expires before you receive an appointment, you would need to apply to a new staffing process when one is posted. The CRA notes that permanent staffing may be considered if hiring restrictions change while a pool is still active, but current policy limits most appointments to temporary terms.
Fact-Checked: All salaries, locations, closing dates, education requirements, and eligibility criteria in this article were verified against official Government of Canada recruitment pages and department-specific job postings as of August 6, 2026. Readers are advised to confirm individual posting status before applying, as deadline
Disclaimer: This article is published by Immigration News Canada for informational purposes only and does not constitute employment, legal, or financial advice. Applicants should verify all requirements, dates, and amounts directly on official Government of Canada posting pages before applying, as intake schedules may be updated without notice.
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- New CRA My Account Breach Settlement Claims Now Open For Up To $5,000
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)A major government settlement linked to compromised CRA and Service Canada accounts is now accepting compensation claims from affected Canadians.
The claims portal went live on August 4, 2026, giving eligible class members their first opportunity to file for payouts that could reach thousands of dollars.
This settlement stems from a series of cyberattacks that struck federal online accounts during 2020 and exposed personal and financial information belonging to thousands of Canadians.
The window to submit a claim will remain open for approximately six months, and the process involves specific eligibility requirements that not every Canadian will meet.
Here is everything you need to know about who qualifies, how much you could receive, and exactly how to file your claim before the deadline.
Table of Contents
What Happened And Why Claims Are Open Now
The Government of Canada officially opened the claims portal for the CRA privacy breach class action settlement on August 4, 2026.
This means eligible Canadians can now go to the KPMG settlement website and submit their compensation claims online for the first time.
The Federal Court approved the $8.7 million settlement on May 5, 2026, following a settlement approval hearing held on March 31, 2026.
The 60-day appeal window has now closed without any challenges being filed, which is why the portal opened in early August.
KPMG is serving as the official claims administrator and is responsible for processing all submitted claims.
The Government of Canada updated its official settlement page on August 4, 2026, confirming that claims can now be submitted through the KPMG portal at breachsettlementcanada.kpmg.ca.
CRA Breach Settlement Eligibility
Not every Canadian with a CRA My Account or My Service Canada Account is eligible to receive money from this settlement.
The class definition covers all persons whose personal or financial information in a Government of Canada online account was disclosed to a third party without authorization between March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020.
Government of Canada online accounts covered by this settlement include CRA My Account, My Service Canada Account, and any other federal online account accessed using GCKey.
However, being part of the class does not automatically entitle you to compensation.
The official settlement approval notice makes clear that payments are limited to two specific groups.
The first group includes class members whose Government of Canada online accounts were subject to unauthorized access by third parties during the credential stuffing attacks between June 26 and August 18, 2020.
The second group includes class members whose personal and financial information was accessed by an unauthorized third party using a Represent a Client (RAC) account between October 8 and November 25, 2020.
This second category involving RAC accounts is a detail that many news reports have overlooked but is critical for tax professionals and accountants whose client information may have been compromised through their representative access.
If you received an email or letter from KPMG with a personal identification number (PIN), you are likely eligible to apply for compensation.
Canadians who did not receive a notice can still check their eligibility on the KPMG portal using their last name, the last three digits of their Social Insurance Number, and the email address linked to their government online account.
The eligibility checker has been available on the KPMG portal since January 15, 2026, well before the claims portal itself opened.
Eligibility Summary
Question Answer Is every Canadian eligible? No, only class members whose accounts were breached during the defined periods Which accounts are covered? CRA My Account, My Service Canada Account, and GCKey-accessed accounts What about RAC accounts? Yes, breaches through Represent a Client accounts between October 8 and November 25, 2020, are included Is a KPMG notice required? Not necessarily, but receiving one is a strong indicator of eligibility Can I check eligibility online? Yes, through breachsettlementcanada.kpmg.ca since January 15, 2026 Was there an opt-out deadline? Yes, February 20, 2026, and it has passed If you did not opt out by the February 20, 2026, deadline, you are automatically bound by the terms of the settlement regardless of whether you participate in the claims process.
Compensation Categories And Maximum Amounts
The settlement divides compensation into three distinct categories, each with its own maximum payout and eligibility criteria.
Understanding these categories is essential because the widely reported $5,000 figure applies only to one specific type of claim and requires supporting documentation.
Access Claims — Up To $80
This category compensates eligible class members whose personal information was accessed by an unauthorized third party but was not used for fraudulent purposes.
Compensation is calculated at $20 per hour for up to four hours of time spent dealing with issues related to the unauthorized access.
That means the maximum payout under this category is $80.
You do not need to provide proof or supporting documentation to file an Access Claim.
This category is designed for people who spent time contacting government officials, monitoring their accounts, or changing passwords and security settings after learning their account had been compromised.
Fraud Claims — Up To $200
This category is for eligible class members whose personal information was not only accessed but also used fraudulently by a third party.
Examples of fraudulent use include unauthorized applications for CERB benefits, CESB benefits, Employment Insurance benefits, or situations where government benefit payments were diverted to unauthorized bank accounts.
Compensation under the Fraud Claim is calculated at $20 per hour for up to 10 hours.
The maximum payout for this category is $200.
You do not need to provide proof or supporting documentation for a Fraud Claim either.
During the claims process, you will be asked to report how many hours you spent communicating with government officials, law enforcement, or credit agencies about the fraudulent activity.
Special Compensation Fund — Up To $5,000
This is the highest-value compensation category and the source of the $5,000 figure that has generated the most public attention.
The Special Compensation Fund reimburses eligible class members for qualifying out-of-pocket expenses that were directly related to the data breach.
Eligible expenses under this category include unreimbursed fraud losses or charges, professional or other fees related to identity theft recovery, and fees or penalties resulting from credit freezes.
Unlike Access Claims and Fraud Claims, the Special Compensation Fund requires supporting documentation to prove your expenses.
The maximum reimbursement is $5,000, but this is not a guaranteed flat payment for every eligible person.
You must demonstrate that the expense was connected to the breach and that you were not already reimbursed through another channel.
Eligible claimants may receive up to $80 for an Access Claim or up to $200 for a Fraud Claim, plus as much as $5,000 for documented eligible expenses.
Compensation Breakdown At A Glance
Category Maximum Amount Rate Documentation Required Access Claim $80 $20/hour, up to 4 hours No Fraud Claim $200 $20/hour, up to 10 hours No Special Compensation Fund $5,000 Reimbursement of eligible expenses Yes Combined Maximum $5,200 All three categories Partial (Special Fund only) The settlement notice also warns that actual payment amounts may be reduced depending on the total number of approved claims submitted across all class members.
Step-By-Step Guide To Filing Your Claim Online
The KPMG claims portal is the primary channel for submitting your compensation claim, and online submissions will be processed faster than paper claims.
Here is exactly how to file your claim through the portal.
- Step 1: Visit the official claims portal at breachsettlementcanada.kpmg.ca and click the “Apply for Compensation” button.
- Step 2: Create an account or sign in using your email address to access the claims portal.
- Step 3: Enter your personal information, which includes your full name, phone number, email address, home address, and Social Insurance Number.
- Step 4: Enter your PIN if you received one by email or letter from the claims administrator.
- Step 5: Select your claim type and indicate whether you are filing an Access Claim, a Fraud Claim, a Special Compensation Fund Claim, or a combination.
- Step 6: Report your hours spent communicating with government officials, law enforcement officials, or credit agencies about the breach for Access and Fraud Claims.
- Step 7: Upload supporting documentation if you are filing a Special Compensation Fund Claim for out-of-pocket expenses.
- Step 8: Choose your payment method between Interac e-Transfer, which is the fastest option, or a mailed cheque.
- Step 9: Review and submit your completed claim form.
If you are unable to submit a claim online, you can download a paper claim form from the documents section of the KPMG settlement website and mail it to the claims administrator.
The mailing address for paper claims is KPMG, 600 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Suite 1500, Tour KPMG, Montréal, Quebec, H3A 0A3, Attention: Canada Privacy Breach Class Action Administrator.
Key CRA Data Breach Settlement Dates And Deadlines
The following timeline shows every critical date connected to the CRA data breach class action settlement from start to finish.
Date Event March 1 – December 31, 2020 Period covered by the class definition June 26 – August 18, 2020 Credential stuffing attack breach period October 8 – November 25, 2020 RAC account breach period August 25, 2022 The federal court certified the class action January 15, 2026 The eligibility checker went live on KPMG portal February 20, 2026 Opt-out deadline (now passed) March 31, 2026 Settlement approval hearing held May 5, 2026 The federal court approved the settlement August 4, 2026 The claims portal opened for submissions February 3, 2027 Deadline to submit all claims Claims submitted after February 3, 2027, may not be eligible for compensation under any category.
That gives eligible Canadians approximately six months from the portal opening to gather their documentation and file.
Documents That Could Strengthen Your Claim
Access Claims and Fraud Claims do not require supporting documentation, but the Special Compensation Fund does.
If you plan to file for reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses, gathering these records now will help you submit a stronger claim before the February 2027 deadline.
Useful documents may include:
- Bank statements showing unreimbursed fraud losses
- Credit card statements reflecting unauthorized charges
- Invoices from identity theft recovery services
- Records of credit freeze fees charged by credit bureaus
- Correspondence with government departments about the breach
- Police reports filed in connection with the identity theft
- Letters from banks or financial institutions confirming fraudulent transactions
- Receipts for any fees or penalties you incurred as a direct result of the breach
Not every document will be required in every case, and the specific requirements will depend on what type of expense you are claiming.
The settlement notice does not provide a fixed list of mandatory documents, so claimants should include anything that clearly links their expense to the 2020 data breach.
What Happens After You Submit Claim
The claims administrator at KPMG will review each submitted claim to verify eligibility and assess the compensation amount.
Online claims are expected to be processed faster than paper submissions mailed to the Montréal office.
If your claim is approved, payment will be issued through the method you selected during the filing process, either Interac e-Transfer or cheque.
The settlement notice does not specify an exact timeline for when payments will be distributed after claims are reviewed.
However, based on the structure of similar Canadian class action settlements like the Scotiabank NSF fee settlement and the Canada Bread settlement, distributions typically begin several months after the claims deadline closes.
Claimants should save a copy or screenshot of their submitted claim for their personal records.
How Much Money Will Claimants Actually Receive
The maximum combined payout of $5,200 per eligible class member is a ceiling, not a guarantee.
Several factors will determine how much any individual claimant actually receives.
First, the total settlement fund is $8,760,500.90, and that amount is fixed regardless of how many claims are filed.
Second, class counsel fees of 33.33% of the net settlement proceeds have been approved by the court, along with disbursements, taxes, and administration expenses.
The court also approved honoraria of $5,000 for representative plaintiff Todd Sweet and $1,500 each for Anne Campeau and Tanis Seminoff, two additional class members who contributed to the litigation.
After legal fees, administration costs, and honoraria are deducted from the gross settlement, the remaining funds are divided among all approved claimants.
If the total value of all approved claims exceeds the available funds, each claimant’s payment will be reduced proportionally.
This means a person who qualifies for the full $80 Access Claim might receive somewhat less than $80 if thousands of other class members also file valid claims.
The actual payout per person will depend entirely on how many eligible Canadians submit claims and for which categories they apply.
Where The $8.7 Million Settlement Fund Goes
Understanding the full breakdown of the settlement fund helps explain why individual payouts may be lower than the maximum advertised amounts.
Allocation Details Total Settlement Fund $8,760,500.90 Class Counsel Legal Fees 33.33% of net proceeds Plaintiff Honorarium (Todd Sweet) $5,000 Honoraria (Campeau and Seminoff) $1,500 each Administration Expenses Deducted before distribution Remaining for Claimants Divided proportionally among approved claims The class counsel fee structure means that roughly one-third of the net settlement proceeds goes to the law firm that litigated the case over approximately six years.
This is a standard contingency fee arrangement in Canadian class action litigation and was reviewed and approved by the Federal Court.
How To Check Your Eligibility Right Now
The KPMG eligibility checker has been live since January 15, 2026, and is separate from the claims submission portal that opened on August 4.
To check your eligibility, visit breachsettlementcanada.kpmg.ca and navigate to the eligibility section.
You will need to enter your last name, the last three digits of your Social Insurance Number, and the email address associated with your Government of Canada online account.
The system will confirm whether you are listed as an eligible class member in the settlement administrator’s records.
If you are confirmed as eligible, you can proceed directly to the claims portal to submit your compensation claim.
If the checker does not confirm your eligibility but you believe your account was breached during the defined periods, you can contact the claims administrator by email at breachsettlementcanada@kpmg.ca, by phone at 1-833-724-6160, or by fax at 514-840-2390.
You can also reach class counsel at Rice Parsons Leoni & Elliott LLP by email at classactions@rplelaw.com or by mail at Suite 820, 980 Howe Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 0C8.
How To Avoid CRA Settlement Scams
Any settlement involving CRA accounts, Social Insurance Numbers, and financial compensation is a high-value target for scammers and fraudsters.
The timing of this portal opening will likely trigger a wave of phishing emails, text messages, and social media posts designed to steal personal information from Canadians who believe they may be eligible.
Here is how to protect yourself.
The only legitimate website for submitting a claim is breachsettlementcanada.kpmg.ca, and any other domain requesting your SIN or personal details in connection with this settlement should be treated with extreme caution.
The CRA will never ask for your online banking passwords or credit card numbers or demand immediate payment to process a settlement claim.
No legitimate claims process requires you to pay a fee upfront to receive compensation.
Be suspicious of any message that promises a guaranteed $5,000 payment, pressures you to act within hours, uses spelling errors or unusual formatting, or arrives through unofficial channels like social media direct messages.
If you receive a suspicious communication claiming to be related to this settlement, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online through the CAFC reporting portal.
Scam warning signs to watch for include messages claiming every Canadian is eligible for $5,000, requests for full banking login credentials, demands for payment to unlock your settlement money, and links to websites that mimic but do not match the official KPMG domain.
What This Means For Canadians Using Government Online Accounts
The credential stuffing attacks of 2020 exposed a structural vulnerability in how millions of Canadians access their tax, benefit, and pension information online.
CRA My Account, My Service Canada Account, and GCKey are used by millions of residents to manage income tax filings, track benefit payments, view CPP and OAS pension statements, apply for Employment Insurance, and access immigration case status through IRCC.
The 2020 attacks used credentials leaked from other data breaches to attempt login access to these government portals, a technique known as credential stuffing.
This type of attack exploits Canadians who reuse the same password across multiple websites and services.
Since the breach, the Government of Canada has implemented additional security measures, including multi-factor authentication options on GCKey and CRA accounts.
Canadians can protect themselves going forward by using a unique password for every government account, enabling multi-factor authentication wherever it is offered, monitoring their CRA My Account and My Service Canada Account regularly for any unauthorized changes, and running credit checks through Equifax or TransUnion to detect signs of identity theft.
The Capital One data breach settlement currently working its way through the courts in British Columbia is another example of how large-scale data compromises continue to affect Canadians and produce class action litigation.
These settlement processes can take years from breach to payout, which is why documenting any losses immediately after a breach is essential for maximizing future claim value.
The CRA breach settlement is a reminder that digital security is directly tied to financial security for every Canadian who relies on online government services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I file a claim if I changed my SIN after the 2020 breach?
Changing your SIN after experiencing identity theft is a step some Canadians took following the 2020 breach, and it does not automatically disqualify you from filing a claim. However, the eligibility checker on the KPMG portal uses your last name, the last three digits of your SIN, and your email address to verify your status. If your SIN has changed since the breach, the system may not match your records automatically. In that situation, contact the claims administrator directly at breachsettlementcanada@kpmg.ca or call 1-833-724-6160 to explain your circumstances and confirm your eligibility manually.
Will receiving settlement compensation trigger a CRA tax reassessment or affect my benefit payments?
Settlement compensation can have different tax treatment depending on what it compensates. Reimbursement of documented out-of-pocket losses under the Special Compensation Fund is generally not treated the same as employment or investment income. However, the CRA has not issued specific guidance on the tax treatment of payments from this particular settlement. Recipients should keep all documentation related to their claim and settlement payment and consult a tax professional if they are concerned about potential effects on income-tested benefit programs.
What happens if the total approved claims exceed the settlement fund after legal fees are deducted?
The settlement agreement includes a proportional reduction mechanism. If the combined value of all approved claims is greater than the available funds remaining after class counsel fees, administration costs, and honoraria are deducted, every approved claimant receives a reduced payment calculated on a pro-rata basis. This means a person who filed for the full $80 Access Claim and the full $200 Fraud Claim might receive a proportionally smaller amount if the fund is oversubscribed. The exact reduction percentage will not be known until all claims have been reviewed and approved.
Can a power of attorney or legal representative file a claim on behalf of a deceased class member?
The settlement approval notice does not explicitly address claims filed on behalf of deceased class members. In Canadian class action litigation, estates of deceased persons who were class members at the time of the breach may still be entitled to file claims through an authorized legal representative. If the affected person passed away after the 2020 breach but before the claims portal opened, the estate executor or power of attorney holder should contact class counsel at Rice Parsons Leoni & Elliott LLP to determine whether a claim can be submitted and what documentation may be required.
Does this settlement prevent me from suing the Government of Canada separately over the same breach?
Yes, the opt-out deadline was February 20, 2026, and it has passed. If you did not submit an opt-out form before that date, you are bound by the terms of the settlement regardless of whether you file a claim. This means you have permanently given up your right to individually sue the Government of Canada for claims related to this specific data breach. Filing a claim under the settlement is your only remaining avenue for compensation. Canadians who opted out before the deadline retain the right to pursue independent legal action but are not eligible for any payments under this settlement.
Fact-Checked: All settlement details, compensation amounts, eligibility criteria, and claim deadlines verified against the official Government of Canada settlement approval notice (updated August 4, 2026), the Federal Court-authorized Notice of Settlement Approval for Sweet v. His Majesty the King (Federal Court File No. T-982-20), and the KPMG settlement administrator portal at breachsettlementcanada.kpmg.ca.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Readers should verify eligibility and claim instructions through the official KPMG settlement portal or contact class counsel at Rice Parsons Leoni & Elliott LLP.
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- Latest Express Entry Draw On August 6 Issues 5,000 PR Invitations
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada issued 5,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence through the latest Express Entry Draw on August 6, 2026, for the French-language proficiency category.
The CRS cutoff dropped to 391, the lowest score recorded in any French-language Express Entry draw in 2026, breaking the previous floor of 393 set on March 18.
This is the third Express Entry draw in three consecutive days, completing the first August cluster after the PNP draw on August 4 and the CEC draw on August 5.
The draw brings 2026 Express Entry invitations to 113,123 across 45 draws, nearly matching the 113,988 total for all of 2025 with almost five full months of draws remaining.
Here is a full breakdown of the results, the significance of the record-low cutoff, and what it means for French-speaking candidates in the Express Entry pool.
Table of Contents
August 6 French-Language Draw Details
Detail Value Draw type French-Language Proficiency (2026-Version 2) Invitations issued 5,000 CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate 391 Date and time of round August 6, 2026, at 11:29:10 UTC Tie-breaking rule March 18, 2026, at 23:32:40 UTC The CRS cutoff of 391 is the lowest of any French-language Express Entry draw in 2026, dropping two points below the previous low of 393 recorded on March 18.
The decline suggests that the five thousand invitations cleared enough higher-scoring French-proficient candidates for IRCC to reach further down the eligible pool.
The tie-breaking date of March 18, 2026, means that candidates who scored exactly 391 needed to have submitted their Express Entry profiles nearly five months ago to receive an invitation in this round.
The extended tie-breaking period shows that candidates with a CRS score of 391 had been present in the pool since March, although the tie-breaking date alone does not reveal the total size of the French-proficient inventory.
How This Draw Compares to Previous French Rounds
French-language proficiency draws have been the second-largest source of Express Entry invitations in 2026, now accounting for 45,500 invitations across nine draws.
Date ITAs CRS Cutoff Feb 6 8,500 400 Mar 4 5,500 397 Mar 18 4,000 393 Apr 15 4,000 419 Apr 29 4,000 400 May 28 4,500 409 Jul 9 5,000 420 Jul 22 5,000 399 Aug 6 5,000 391 CRS cutoffs in French draws have ranged from 391 to 420 across 2026, with the nine-draw average sitting at approximately 403.
The cutoff pattern has not followed a simple downward trend, as the July 9 draw jumped to 420 before the July 22 draw dropped back to 399, suggesting that pool dynamics shift between rounds depending on how many new French-proficient profiles enter the system.
The volume has been stable at 5,000 invitations per round for the last three French draws, up from the 4,000 to 4,500 range seen between March and May.
Why French Draw Cutoffs Are So Much Lower Than CEC
The CRS cutoff of 391 in this French draw is 125 points below the CEC cutoff of 516 recorded just one day earlier, a gap that has characterized Express Entry throughout 2026.
French-language category-based draws select from a subset of the Express Entry pool consisting only of candidates who meet the French proficiency threshold, creating a separate competitive field with its own score distribution.
The category-based selection framework requires candidates to demonstrate French proficiency at NCLC 7 or higher in all four skills, regardless of their occupation or program eligibility.
Because the eligible pool for French draws is smaller than the general CEC pool, IRCC must reach deeper into the score distribution to fill the 5,000-invitation target, producing cutoffs in the 390 to 420 range rather than the 515 to 518 range seen in CEC, a difference explored in our predictions analysis.
This gap makes French-language testing one of the highest-impact strategies for candidates whose CRS scores fall below the CEC threshold, as documented in our CRS analysis for 2026.
Updated 2026 Invitation Totals
The August 6 French draw brings the total number of Express Entry invitations issued in 2026 to 113,123 across 45 draws.
That total is now within 865 invitations of the 113,988 issued across all of 2025, meaning IRCC will almost certainly surpass last year’s full total within the next draw cluster.
Category Draws Total ITAs Share Canadian Experience Class 13 48,250 42.7% French-Language Proficiency 9 45,500 40.2% Healthcare and Social Services 2 8,000 7.1% Provincial Nominee Program 15 6,957 6.2% Trades Occupations 1 3,000 2.7% Senior Managers 2 750 0.7% Physicians 2 662 0.6% Skilled Military Recruits 1 4 < 0.1% Total 45 113,123 100% French-language draws now account for 40.2% of all 2026 invitations, narrowing the gap with CEC at 42.7% and reinforcing that French proficiency has become the second most powerful pathway in the Express Entry system.
IRCC’s francophone immigration target of 9% of admissions outside Quebec, announced as part of the 2026 Express Entry category instructions, provides the policy basis for sustained French draw volumes through the rest of 2026.
First August Draw Cluster Now Complete
Date Draw Type ITAs CRS Cutoff Aug 4 Provincial Nominee Program 507 768 Aug 5 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 516 Aug 6 French-Language Proficiency 5,000 391 The three-draw cluster issued a combined 8,507 invitations across three consecutive days, following the same PNP, CEC, and French sequence that has defined draw windows since March 2026.
A fourth draw targeting a smaller category such as trades, healthcare, or senior managers could still appear in this window, but the core three-draw cluster is now complete.
The next draw cluster is expected in the third or fourth week of August, based on the 2026 draw pattern.
How to Qualify for French-Language Express Entry Draws
Candidates must demonstrate French proficiency at NCLC 7 or higher in all four language skills to be eligible for French-language category-based draws.
The accepted French tests are the TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français) and the TCF Canada (Test de connaissance du français).
NCLC 7 corresponds to specific scores on each test component, and candidates must achieve the required level in listening, reading, writing, and speaking without exception, a standard that also applies to the Francophone Student Pilot at the lower NCLC 5 threshold.
French proficiency is assessed separately from English proficiency, and candidates can hold qualifying scores in both languages simultaneously to maximize their CRS score.
Candidates who already qualify for the CEC or Federal Skilled Worker program and who add French test results at NCLC 7 or higher become eligible for both their original program draws and the French-language category draws, effectively doubling their chances of receiving an invitation.
Test availability varies by city and booking periods can extend two to three months in advance, so candidates should secure their test date as early as possible to be included in upcoming French draw windows, particularly given the sustained pace of draws in 2026.
The August 6 French draw closes the first August cluster with a record-low CRS cutoff, signaling continued expansion of the French-proficient segment of the Express Entry pool.
With 113,123 invitations now on the books, IRCC will surpass the 2025 full-year total of 113,988 within the next draw cluster, setting a new pace for Express Entry invitation volumes.
Candidates should monitor the official IRCC rounds of invitations page for confirmed results as they are published.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need to speak French as my first language to qualify?
No, French does not need to be a candidate’s first language or primary language of communication. Any candidate who achieves NCLC 7 or higher on a TEF or TCF test in all four skills qualifies for French-language draws regardless of their mother tongue, nationality, or country of residence. Many successful candidates are bilingual English-French speakers who qualify for both CEC and French category draws simultaneously.
Can I use my French scores to boost my CRS even if I don’t qualify for French draws?
Yes, qualifying French test results can add second-official-language CRS points even when the candidate does not reach NCLC 7 in all four abilities required for French-category draws. However, the CRS points for a second official language are capped and contribute less than primary language scores, so the strategic value depends on the candidate’s overall profile.
Why did the CRS cutoff drop to a new low of 391?
The cutoff dropped because the distribution of eligible candidates and the 5,000-invitation round allowed IRCC to reach candidates with lower CRS scores. IRCC does not publish enough category-specific pool data to identify one exact cause. The tie-breaking date reaching back to March 18 confirms a large inventory of candidates at the 391 score level who have been waiting for months.
When is the next French-language draw expected?
Based on the 2026 cluster pattern, the next French draw is expected in the third or fourth week of August as part of a second draw cluster. French draws have appeared regularly throughout 2026 and have become one of IRCC’s most consistent category-based round types.
Does an invitation from a French draw guarantee permanent residence?
No, an invitation to apply is not an approval and does not guarantee that the permanent residence application will be accepted, as processing standards and eligibility verification still apply. Invited candidates have 60 calendar days to submit a complete application with all required documents, after which IRCC reviews the file on its merits under the standard processing timeline.
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- New Canada Express Entry Draw Category Changes For 2027
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)Canada is reshaping its Express Entry selection strategy once again, and the proposed changes for 2027 could mark a defining shift for skilled workers worldwide.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has opened public consultations to decide which categories will carry forward into next year.
The consultation launched on August 4, 2026, and will remain open until September 1, giving stakeholders a narrow window to influence the outcome.
Several new category proposals centre on attracting high-value international talent rather than simply filling labour shortages across broad occupation lists.
This represents a strategic pivot that could fundamentally alter who receives invitations to apply for permanent residence in 2027 and beyond.
Here is a complete breakdown of every proposed change, the data behind current categories, and what candidates should prepare for.
Table of Contents
Three Economic Priorities Under Consideration For 2027
IRCC is considering maintaining three overarching economic priorities that have guided category-based selection since 2023.
The first priority is addressing long-term labour market shortages in sectors such as healthcare, trades, education, and transportation.
The second priority is attracting and retaining top talent to strengthen Canada’s competitive position in the global economy through initiatives like the accelerated pathway for H-1B visa holders.
The third priority is supporting Francophone immigration outside Quebec to meet official language targets and strengthen minority communities across Canada.
However, IRCC has signalled that 2027 may bring significant refinements to how each of these priorities is implemented through category-based selection.
The department is considering narrowing the number of occupations eligible under labour shortage categories to create a more strategic and targeted approach.
It is also exploring new categories aligned with government talent strategies that go beyond the current Express Entry framework.
Current 2026 Categories Under Review For Renewal
Canada has 10 Express Entry categories in 2026. However, IRCC’s consultation survey asks respondents whether nine of those categories should continue in 2027, excluding the skilled military recruits category from that specific question.
The consultation survey lists each of the following categories and asks respondents to select which ones should carry forward.
2026 Express Entry Categories
Category Priority Area French-language proficiency Francophone immigration Healthcare and social services occupations Labour shortages STEM occupations Labour shortages Trade occupations Labour shortages Education occupations Labour shortages Transport occupations Labour shortages Physicians with Canadian work experience Talent attraction and retention Researchers with Canadian work experience Talent attraction and retention Senior managers with Canadian work experience Talent attraction and retention A tenth category for skilled military recruits with a Canadian Armed Forces job offer also exists in 2026 but was not listed in the survey question asking about continuation.
The survey also asks respondents to rank their selected categories from most important to least important.
This ranking data will help IRCC assess which categories respondents consider most important for continuation in 2027.
Category-Based Selection Has Dominated Express Entry Since 2023
IRCC released detailed data showing that category-eligible candidates received 87% of all Express Entry invitations issued in 2025, up from 63.5% in 2023.
The growth of category-based selection has fundamentally changed how candidates are chosen for permanent residence through the federal system.
French-language proficiency alone accounted for nearly half of all invitations issued to category-eligible candidates last year.
Invitations Issued To Category-Eligible Candidates (2023 to 2025)
Category Year ITAs Issued Avg CRS % In Canada % of Total EE Healthcare 2023 8,180 473 50% 9.7% Healthcare 2024 11,967 468 56% 16.0% Healthcare 2025 19,200 476 57% 18.6% Trades 2023 2,855 447 90% 3.4% Trades 2024 3,884 461 85% 5.2% Trades 2025 4,589 499 78% 4.4% STEM 2023 24,084 498 79% 28.7% STEM 2024 13,749 500 74% 18.4% STEM 2025 5,942 479 50% 5.8% Transport 2023 2,033 468 77% 2.4% Transport 2024 1,340 465 75% 1.8% Agriculture 2023 1,092 427 51% 1.3% Agriculture 2024 346 464 36% 0.5% Agriculture 2025 101 498 59% 0.1% Education 2025 9,200 459 36% 8.9% French Proficiency 2023 14,944 476 17% 17.8% French Proficiency 2024 24,303 450 19% 32.5% French Proficiency 2025 50,701 449 22% 49.2% Source: IRCC operational data as of April 7, 2026. All values exclude Provincial Nominee Program ITAs. The total number of category-eligible invitations rose from 49,285 in 2023 to 73,586 in 2025, a 49% increase over two years.
STEM invitations dropped dramatically from 24,084 in 2023 to just 5,942 in 2025, reflecting a strategic shift away from broad technology selection.
Agriculture and agri-food invitations fell to just 101 in 2025, and this category was not renewed for 2026 after three years of declining volumes.
Transport occupations recorded zero draws in 2025 despite being an active category, and IRCC is now asking whether it should continue.
4 New Talent-Focused Category Proposals For 2027
The most significant development in the 2027 consultation is the introduction of four new potential categories focused on attracting top international talent.
These proposals align with multiple federal strategies, including the International Talent Attraction Strategy outlined in Budget 2025.
Each proposed category targets a distinct talent pipeline, and IRCC is asking respondents whether selection should focus inside Canada, outside Canada, or both equally.
1. Global Talent Stream Candidates
The first proposed category would target candidates in occupations listed under the Global Talent Stream, which primarily covers technology and artificial intelligence roles.
Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy recognizes AI talent as one of the country’s most important strategic assets.
Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy includes expanding the temporary worker Global Talent Stream to accelerate the arrival and onboarding of highly skilled AI professionals.
IRCC is now considering whether Express Entry category-based selection should prioritize candidates in Global Talent Stream occupations.
2. Researchers Aligned With Global Impact+ Initiative
The second proposal targets researchers to align with the Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative, which recruits leading international researchers in critical fields.
This initiative is designed to support Canada’s position at the forefront of scientific innovation and deliver economic and health benefits.
A researchers category already exists in 2026 but has not yet produced a single draw, making its expansion into a broader talent stream a significant policy question.
3. International Talent Strategy Candidates
The third proposed category would select candidates whose profiles align with IRCC’s International Talent Attraction Strategy.
This strategy aims to prioritize, attract, and retain top talent in emerging technologies, healthcare, skilled trades, and other priority sectors.
It also aims to identify clear pathways to permanent residence to retain the skilled workers that Canada needs most.
4. H-1B Visa Holders From The United States
The fourth and potentially most consequential proposal is a dedicated Express Entry category for H-1B visa holders currently working in the United States.
Budget 2025 committed to launching an accelerated pathway for these foreign workers based in specialty occupations across STEM, healthcare, research, and advanced industries.
Canada previously tested its appeal to H-1B holders in 2023 through a special open work permit program that filled its 10,000-application cap within hours.
A permanent Express Entry category would create a standing pathway rather than a one-time intake, significantly expanding Canada’s talent recruitment from the United States.
IRCC May Narrow The List Of Shortage Occupations
One of the most consequential questions in the consultation asks whether category-based selection should focus on fewer occupations than it currently covers.
The survey offers two options: maintaining selection across all occupations identified as facing long-term shortages or focusing on a smaller and more targeted set.
For respondents who favour narrowing the list, the survey asks which factors should guide that decision.
Options include focusing on occupations requiring higher training levels at TEER 0, 1, or 2, aligning with Government of Canada priorities, targeting the most persistent shortages according to ESDC projection data, and prioritizing occupations less served by other pathways.
The Provincial Nominee Program is specifically named as an alternative pathway that already addresses some of these same shortage occupations at the regional level.
This question signals that IRCC is prepared to reduce the scope of occupation-based categories if the consultation feedback supports a more focused approach.
Francophone Immigration Targets Continue To Rise Through 2029
Category-based selection for French-speaking candidates has been the single largest driver of Express Entry invitations since 2023.
The French-language proficiency category accounted for 49.2% of all category-eligible invitations issued in 2025, dwarfing every other individual category.
The 2026 to 2028 Immigration Levels Plan set admission targets for French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec at 9% in 2026, 9.5% in 2027, and 10.5% in 2028.
Canada has also committed to increasing French-speaking permanent resident admissions to 12% by 2029.
Eligible candidates must achieve a minimum score of 7 in all four language abilities on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens.
IRCC is asking the public whether it should continue prioritizing these candidates to a great, moderate, or small extent for economic growth purposes.
Given the rising targets and the category’s dominance in recent Express Entry draw volumes, French-language selection is widely expected to remain a core priority in 2027.
Express Entry Reforms Could Reshape Category-Based Selection
IRCC conducted separate consultations on potential Express Entry reforms in the spring of 2026, receiving more than 17,000 submissions.
Those reforms aim to refocus the points system on factors most strongly associated with economic success, such as language ability and high-wage Canadian work experience.
The current consultation asks whether these future reforms should change the extent to which category-based selection is used.
Respondents can argue that CBS should continue at current levels, be increased to compensate for a narrower points system, or be decreased as reforms improve baseline selection quality.
Most selected candidates under the reformed system are expected to have stronger language skills, higher education, and at least one year of Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation.
Category-based selection would continue to offer flexibility beyond earnings potential to meet identified economic goals under the reformed framework.
How To Participate In The 2027 Category Consultation
IRCC’s online survey is open until September 1, 2026, and is accessible through the official consultation page on Canada.ca.
Both individuals and organizations can submit responses, with organizations encouraged to consult colleagues and submit a single unified response.
The survey covers 21 questions spanning respondent demographics, category preferences, occupation targeting, talent strategies, and Francophone priorities.
Individual respondents are asked about their province of residence and immigration status in Canada, while organizations identify their sector and operating provinces.
Organizational respondents can choose whether their submissions are published with full attribution, partial attribution, anonymized, or not published at all.
In addition to public consultations, IRCC will engage federal, provincial, and territorial partners separately and review labour market information alongside past category-based selection results.
What This Means For Express Entry Candidates
Candidates currently in the Express Entry pool should pay close attention to these consultation outcomes because the 2027 categories will determine who gets invited and who waits.
Workers in occupations aligned with the Global Talent Stream, AI, cybersecurity, and critical minerals could gain a new permanent residence pathway that does not exist today.
Candidates with French-language proficiency will likely continue to benefit from the largest category allocation, given the rising federal admission targets through 2029.
Healthcare workers, tradespeople, and educators should expect their categories to continue but potentially with a narrower list of eligible occupations than in previous years.
H-1B visa holders in the United States may soon have a direct Express Entry pathway that eliminates the need for employer-specific nominations or provincial programs.
The September 1 deadline for survey submissions means that the final 2027 categories could be announced as early as late 2026 or the first quarter of 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I submit the IRCC consultation survey if I live outside Canada?
Yes, the online survey is open to individuals and organizations regardless of location, and the questionnaire includes an “Outside of Canada” option for the province of residence question.
Will the 2027 categories affect Express Entry draws happening right now in 2026?
No, the 2027 category consultations are forward-looking and will not change any draw schedules, CRS cutoffs, or category eligibility for the remainder of 2026.
Do I need to update my Express Entry profile to match the proposed 2027 categories?
No updates are needed at this stage because the proposed categories have not been finalized or approved, and profile eligibility is determined automatically by IRCC based on the information already in your Express Entry profile once categories are officially established.
Could IRCC introduce completely new categories not mentioned in the consultation?
While unlikely, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act gives the Minister authority to establish any category linked to an identified economic priority, so the final 2027 categories could include additions or modifications beyond what was explicitly proposed in the survey.
How does category-based selection interact with a Provincial Nominee Program nomination?
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points and operates through separate PNP Express Entry draws, which are independent of category-based rounds, meaning a candidate can benefit from both a PNP nomination and category eligibility simultaneously.
Fact-Checked: All information in this article has been verified against the official IRCC 2026 consultations on economic priorities for category-based selection in Express Entry page and the accompanying survey questionnaire published by IRCC on August 4, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is published by Immigration News Canada for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice; consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant or licensed immigration lawyer for advice specific to your situation.
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- 5 New British Columbia Laws and Rules in August 2026
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)British Columbia has already rolled out its most significant consumer protection overhaul in years in August 2026.
Subscription contracts, door-to-door sales, and online purchase agreements all face new provincial rules that took effect on August 1.
The 2026-2027 StudentAid BC loan year opened on August 1 with tighter limits on who qualifies for grants at private schools.
A provincial income tax rate change that took effect retroactively to January 1 continues to shift take-home pay for workers across the province.
One immigration deadline still lies ahead, as the BC PNP’s one-time rural health support pathway closes on August 31.
This guide covers every major provincial rule, deadline, and change that has taken effect or is still coming in British Columbia during August 2026.
Table of Contents
Quick Look: Every August 2026 BC Change
The table below summarizes each change, its effective date, and who it affects in British Columbia.
Date Change Who it affects Aug 1 ✓ Consumer protection overhaul now in effect Businesses and consumers Aug 1 ✓ StudentAid BC 2026-27 loan year now open Post-secondary students Aug 1 ✓ Federal student grants continue at raised levels BC students Aug 1 ✓ BC income tax rate mid-year payroll shift active All BC workers Aug 31 BC PNP rural health support registration closes Health authority workers 1. Major Consumer Protection Overhaul Now in Effect
The amendments came from BC Bill 4, which received royal assent in 2025.
A first tranche of changes took effect that year, banning mandatory arbitration clauses, class action waivers, and restrictions on consumer reviews.
The second tranche took effect on August 1, 2026, and rewrites how businesses handle subscriptions, direct sales, and consumer contracts across the province.
Consumer Protection BC has published detailed guidance for businesses preparing for these changes.
New subscription rules
The amendments now apply to subscriptions in the digital, fitness, home services, and broader consumer space.
Businesses must give consumers advance notice before automatic renewals.
Consumers must receive meaningful cancellation rights that are easy to use.
Suppliers lose the ability to unilaterally change subscription terms when the change increases a consumer’s obligations.
The same applies when a change reduces what the supplier must deliver.
Anyone running a gym membership, streaming service, meal kit, or software subscription in BC should audit their renewal notices and cancellation flows now that the rules are active.
New restrictions on direct sales
Direct sales of prescribed household products like furnaces and air conditioners are now subject to specific restrictions.
The rules also ban offering or arranging credit during these direct sales.
The changes target high-pressure door-to-door tactics that have long affected seniors, newcomers, and lower-income households across BC.
Certain exemptions exist for regulated direct sellers, temporary locations, and situations where the consumer invited the seller.
Businesses involved in door-to-door or in-person consumer sales should not assume a blanket prohibition and should review the regulation carefully.
Standardized contract terms
All consumer contracts, including online and in-person agreements, must standardize refund, return, exchange, and cancellation policies under the new rules.
Key terms must be clearly disclosed up front and presented consistently across all sales channels.
Businesses should expect increased scrutiny of any gap between pre-contract disclosures and the final contract a consumer receives.
Who needs to act now that the rules are live: Any business offering subscriptions, online consumer services, home-service contracts, or direct sales in BC. Review contract templates, renewal notices, cancellation processes, employee training, and financing practices. Non-compliance may lead to enforcement action from Consumer Protection BC.
2. StudentAid BC 2026-2027 Loan Year Now Open
StudentAid BC applications for the 2026-2027 program year are open for studies starting between August 1, 2026 and July 31, 2027.
Several changes affect which students can access provincial and federal grants through the StudentAid BC application.
Provincial grant restrictions
BC provincial grants are now generally limited to students at public postsecondary institutions in British Columbia.
The BC Access Grant, BC Supplemental Bursary, and BC Access Grant for Students with Disabilities are all restricted to students at BC public schools.
Students at private institutions located outside BC are not eligible for the BC Student Loan.
The BC Access Grant for Deaf Students continues to be available for eligible students attending approved schools outside Canada.
Federal grant changes flowing through StudentAid BC
The federal Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students remains at its raised level of up to $4,200 per year for BC students through July 31, 2027.
Most students at for-profit private schools lost eligibility for this specific federal grant as of August 1.
Exemptions apply only for programs training nurses, early childhood educators, dental hygienists, or paramedics.
BC can apply the exemptions at the individual program level, unlike most other provinces.
Students at for-profit international schools have lost access to both provincial and federal student financial assistance.
A train-out provision may protect some returning students already receiving aid until July 31, 2029.
3. BC Income Tax Rate Change Continues to Shift Pay
British Columbia raised its lowest personal income tax rate from 5.06% to 5.60% for the 2026 taxation year.
The change is retroactive to January 1, 2026, which means the July T4127 payroll deduction tables use a prorated rate of 6.14% for the final six months of the year.
BC workers may notice a slightly smaller net pay compared to the first half of 2026.
The catch-up effect is largest in July and August as employers apply the new withholding.
Workers should review their first August pay stub to verify the updated withholding has been applied.
4. BC PNP Rural Health Support Registration Deadline
The BC Provincial Nominee Program is accepting registrations for the Temporary Rural/Remote Health Support Initiative until August 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
This is a one-time pathway with a hard cap of 250 nominations.
It targets cleaning and security workers who are direct employees of a BC public health authority in a rural or remote community.
Eligible occupations
- Janitors, caretakers, and heavy-duty cleaners (NOC 65312)
- Light duty cleaners (NOC 65311)
- Security guards and related security service occupations (NOC 64410)
Key requirements
Applicants must have been working full-time with the same health authority for at least nine consecutive months before registering.
Workers employed through private contractors serving a health authority do not qualify.
Each health authority determines its own process for selecting which applications it will support.
The initiative sits within the BC PNP’s Skills Immigration stream and does not include an Express Entry BC option.
Given the hard cap and strong interest, eligible workers should prepare documentation and register well before the August 31 deadline.
5. BC Rent Increase Cap Applies to August Renewals
The maximum allowable rent increase for residential tenancies across British Columbia in 2026 is 2.3%.
This cap applies to every residential tenancy covered by the Residential Tenancy Act, including apartments, condos, and secondary suites.
Landlords can increase rent only once every 12 months and must give at least three full months of written notice using Form RTB-7.
A landlord serving an increase notice this month can raise rent no sooner than December 1, 2026.
The 2.3% cap holds even if a landlord’s costs rose by more than that amount.
Tenants can dispute any increase above the limit through the Residential Tenancy Branch.
5 New British Columbia Laws and Rules in August 2026 BC Rules Already in Effect That Readers May Confuse With August Changes
Several major BC changes arrived earlier in 2026 and are already active.
- BC’s general minimum wage increased to $18.25 per hour on June 1, 2026, and remains at that level.
- The Health Professions and Occupations Act replaced the old Health Professions Act on April 1, 2026.
- The Gaming Control Act took effect April 13, 2026, overhauling gambling industry oversight.
- ICBC basic auto insurance rates remain frozen with no increase through spring 2027.
- Vancouver’s Empty Homes Tax declaration deadline and payment deadline both passed earlier in 2026.
None of these are new August rules, but they continue to apply throughout the month.
August 2026 has delivered fewer headline-grabbing laws than some recent months in British Columbia, but the changes already in effect are consequential.
The consumer protection overhaul is the standout change and now affects any business selling to consumers in the province.
Students should confirm their StudentAid BC eligibility before the fall semester, especially anyone attending a private institution.
Health authority workers in rural BC still have time to act on the BC PNP pathway, but the August 31 deadline closes permanently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the biggest new BC law taking effect in August 2026?
The Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act amendments are the largest provincial change on August 1. They overhaul how subscriptions auto-renew, restrict high-pressure direct sales of household products like furnaces, ban credit offers during door-to-door sales, and standardize refund and cancellation policies across all consumer contracts in British Columbia.
Does the StudentAid BC for-profit school change affect all grants and loans?
No, the restriction primarily affects the Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students for students at for-profit private schools. Other federal grants and interest-free Canada Student Loans remain available. BC provincial grants are separately limited to students at public BC institutions. Exemptions exist for nursing, dental hygiene, early childhood education, and paramedic programs at for-profit schools.
Who qualifies for the BC PNP Rural Health Support pathway before the August 31 deadline?
Only direct employees of a BC public health authority working in cleaning or security roles in a rural or remote community. The three eligible NOC codes are 65312, 65311, and 64410. Applicants need at least nine consecutive months of full-time work with the same health authority. Workers employed through private contractors do not qualify, and the pathway is capped at 250 nominations.
Can my landlord raise rent above 2.3% in BC in August 2026?
No, the 2026 cap of 2.3% applies to all residential tenancies under the Residential Tenancy Act, with no exceptions for newer buildings. Landlords must use Form RTB-7, give three full months of notice, and can only increase rent once every 12 months. Tenants can dispute any amount above the cap through the Residential Tenancy Branch.
Did BC’s minimum wage change in August 2026?
No, British Columbia’s general minimum wage increased from $17.85 to $18.25 per hour on June 1, 2026, not in August. The $18.25 rate is the highest provincial minimum wage in Canada and remains in effect through the rest of 2026.
Fact check: Every date and figure was checked against BC Laws, Consumer Protection BC, StudentAid BC, the BC PNP Skills Immigration Program Guide, and official BC government sources current to August 1, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Additional BC regulations may be registered through the B.C. Gazette later in August.
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- New Express Entry Draw On August 5 Sent 3,000 PR Invitations
Last Updated On 17 November 2022, 9:07 AM EST (Toronto Time)Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada issued 3,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence through a Canadian Experience Class draw on August 5, 2026.
This is the second Express Entry draw of August and the 44th draw of 2026, arriving one day after the PNP draw on August 4 that opened the month’s first draw cluster.
The 3,000 invitations mark a 50% increase from the 2,000 issued in each of the last two CEC rounds in July, signalling that IRCC may be adjusting volumes upward as the second half of 2026 progresses.
Here is a full breakdown of the draw results, how the CRS cutoff compares to previous CEC rounds, and what this means for candidates still in the Express Entry pool.
Table of Contents
August 5 CEC Draw Details
Detail Value Draw type Canadian Experience Class Invitations issued 3,000 CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate 516 Date and time of round August 5, 2026, at 10:41:26 UTC Tie-breaking rule July 3, 2026, at 21:35:13 UTC The CRS cutoff of 516 matches the July 21 CEC draw exactly and falls within the narrow 514 to 518 band that has defined CEC rounds since April 2026.
Despite a 50% increase in invitations from 2,000 to 3,000, the cutoff did not move, confirming that the Express Entry pool continues to replenish with high-scoring CEC-eligible candidates at a rate that absorbs higher volumes without pushing scores down, a dynamic consistent with our August 2026 predictions.
The tie-breaking date of July 3, 2026, means that candidates who scored exactly 516 needed to have submitted their Express Entry profiles before that date and time to receive an invitation in this round.
How This Draw Compares to Previous CEC Rounds
The table below tracks every CEC draw in 2026, showing how invitation volumes have fluctuated while CRS cutoffs have remained remarkably stable.
Date ITAs CRS Cutoff Jan 7 8,000 511 Jan 21 6,000 509 Feb 17 6,000 508 Mar 3 4,000 508 Mar 17 4,000 507 Mar 31 2,250 509 Apr 14 2,000 515 Apr 28 2,000 514 May 27 3,000 518 Jun 23 4,000 516 Jul 7 2,000 517 Jul 21 2,000 516 Aug 5 3,000 516 CEC invitation volumes have ranged from 2,000 to 8,000 across 2026, with CRS cutoffs holding between 507 and 518 regardless of the volume issued in any given round.
This stability reflects a consistent inflow of new high-scoring profiles entering the pool at roughly the same rate that invitations remove them, as explained in our analysis of CRS trends in 2026.
The return to 3,000 invitations after two consecutive rounds at 2,000 mirrors the pattern from May 27, when IRCC similarly bumped CEC volumes to 3,000 after a period of lower issuance.
Whether this signals a sustained increase or a one-round adjustment will become clearer when the next CEC draw is held, which based on the 2026 cluster pattern is expected in the third or fourth week of August.
What a CRS Cutoff of 516 Means for Candidates
A CRS score of 516 without a provincial nomination typically requires a strong combination of age, education, language proficiency, and Canadian work experience.
Under the CRS calculation grid, a 30-year-old candidate with a master’s degree, CLB 10 in English across all four skills, and three years of Canadian skilled work experience would score approximately 506 to 516 depending on additional factors such as a second language or arranged employment.
Candidates scoring in the 480 to 510 range should evaluate whether they qualify for category-based draws targeting French-language proficiency, healthcare, trades, or other occupations, as these categories consistently deliver cutoffs well below the CEC threshold.
French-language draws have issued CRS cutoffs between 393 and 420 across eight rounds in 2026, meaning a TEF or TCF result at NCLC 7 or higher opens a pathway roughly 100 points below the CEC cutoff.
Provincial nominations remain the most powerful CRS multiplier, adding 600 points and effectively guaranteeing an invitation in the next PNP draw.
Updated 2026 Invitation Totals
The August 5 CEC draw brings the total number of Express Entry invitations issued in 2026 to 108,123 across 44 draws.
CEC-specific invitations now total 48,250 across 13 draws, representing 44.6% of all invitations issued this year and firmly establishing CEC as the dominant Express Entry pathway in 2026.
Category Draws Total ITAs Share Canadian Experience Class 13 48,250 44.6% French-Language Proficiency 8 40,500 37.5% Healthcare and Social Services 2 8,000 7.4% Provincial Nominee Program 15 6,957 6.4% Trades Occupations 1 3,000 2.8% Senior Managers 2 750 0.7% Physicians 2 662 0.6% Skilled Military Recruits 1 4 < 0.1% Total 44 108,123 100% The 2026 total of 108,123 is now within striking distance of the 113,988 invitations issued across all of 2025, with nearly five full months of draws remaining.
CEC and French-language draws together account for over 82% of all invitations in 2026, confirming that these two pathways continue to drive the Express Entry system.
August Draw Cluster Update
The August 5 CEC draw is the second draw in the month’s first cluster, following the PNP draw on August 4 that issued 507 invitations at CRS 768.
If IRCC follows the same cluster pattern seen in July, a French-language proficiency draw is expected within the next one to two days, completing the core three-draw cluster.
Recent French rounds have issued between 4,000 and 5,000 invitations at CRS cutoffs ranging from 393 to 420, though a modest reduction in volume is possible given that IRCC has already issued 108,123 invitations across the first seven months of the year.
A fourth draw targeting a smaller category such as trades, healthcare, or senior managers could also appear in this cluster but has not been a consistent feature of every draw window.
IRCC does not publish a guaranteed draw calendar, and draw dates, categories, and volumes can change without notice.
What Invited Candidates Should Do Now
Candidates who received an invitation have exactly 60 calendar days to submit a complete permanent residence application through their Express Entry account.
Police certificates, medical examinations, educational credential assessments, and employment reference letters should be gathered immediately because each document carries its own processing timeline.
If the 60-day window passes without a submission, the invitation expires and the candidate’s profile returns to the Express Entry pool with their original CRS score.
CEC permanent residence applications currently carry an average processing time of approximately six to seven months, meaning candidates who submit their applications in August can expect a decision in early to mid-2027.
The August 5 CEC draw confirms that IRCC is maintaining the cluster model while showing flexibility on invitation volumes, with the jump from 2,000 to 3,000 invitations being the most notable signal from this round.
A French-language draw is expected to follow within the next day or two, completing the first August cluster.
Candidates should monitor the official IRCC rounds of invitations page for confirmed results as they are published.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why did the CRS cutoff stay at 516 despite more invitations being issued?
The Express Entry pool constantly replenishes as new candidates create profiles and existing candidates update their scores. When the inflow of high-scoring candidates matches or exceeds the number removed by invitations, the cutoff remains stable even as IRCC increases volumes. This equilibrium has held since April 2026, with CRS cutoffs staying between 514 and 518 across rounds ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 invitations.
Who is eligible for CEC draws specifically?
CEC draws target candidates who have at least 12 months of skilled work experience in Canada within the three years before their permanent residence application. The work experience must be in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation and must have been gained while the candidate held valid work authorization in Canada. Candidates must also meet minimum language requirements of CLB 7 for NOC TEER 0 and 1 occupations or CLB 5 for NOC TEER 2 and 3 occupations.
Can I improve my CRS score before the next CEC draw?
The highest-impact CRS improvements include retaking IELTS or CELPIP to achieve a higher language score, obtaining a provincial nomination for a 600-point boost, completing an additional Canadian credential, or gaining additional Canadian work experience. Even a one-band improvement in a single language skill can add 15 to 30 CRS points depending on the candidate’s overall profile. Booking a TEF or TCF French test opens eligibility for French-language draws at CRS 393 to 420, a significantly lower threshold than the CEC cutoff of 516.
When is the next CEC draw expected?
Based on the 2026 draw cluster pattern, the next CEC draw is expected in the third or fourth week of August as part of a second draw cluster. IRCC has conducted two CEC draws per month in every month of 2026 except May, which had only one CEC round, as tracked across the full 2026 draw history. The volume and CRS cutoff of the next CEC draw will depend on pool dynamics and IRCC’s operational targets for the second half of the year.
Does receiving an invitation guarantee permanent residence?
An invitation to apply is not an approval, and receiving one does not guarantee that the permanent residence application will be accepted. IRCC reviews every submitted application against the eligibility criteria, verifies supporting documents, conducts background and security checks, and can refuse applications that do not meet the requirements. Submitting a complete, accurate application with all required documents within the 60-day window gives candidates the strongest possible foundation for a positive decision.
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