Canada launched new immigration priority categories on Wednesday to attract skilled workers in the research, healthcare, aviation and select military fields.
The point of the change is to limit the overall number of new permanent residents as well as focus on talent to immediately bolster key industries and national defence.
Have a Focus on Skilled Workers and Scholars
The initiative is in keeping with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s overall objectives of simplifying immigration and curtailing reliance on the United States.
Canada has worked to reduce immigration over the past few years to reduce pressure on housing and social services.
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said that the 2026 changes to the Express Entry system would bring in workers who will be able to “contribute from day one” this is important because of labour shortages in important industries.
New Priority Streams
The new categories are based on specific roles such as researchers, senior managers, pilots, aircraft mechanics and foreign-trained medical doctors.
Highly skilled military recruits such as military doctors, nurses, and pilots will also be covered under the revamped system.
In advancing its claim that “Canada’s future depends on a workforce ready for a changing economy,” Diab stated “Canada’s government is prioritising its efforts on strategic sectors.”
Improving Defence Capabilities
Carney unveiled a new defence strategy on Tuesday as a way to reduce reliance on the United States.
The idea behind this plan is to raise the government investment in defence research and development by 85% in the coming decade, grow the indicators of defence industries revenues by over 240%, increase defence exports by 50% and create up to 125,000 good jobs.
Canada, like other members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, has agreed to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.
Continuation of Current Programs
Still, existing Express Entry streams, such as those for French Language candidates, healthcare professionals, and skilled trades workers, will persist in parallel with new targeted categories to help ensure a balance in favour of both traditional and priority-based approaches to immigration.
Also read: Move to Canada under Federal Skilled Worker Program with minimum funds required
