Canada has embarked on significant reforms to its Express Entry system, introducing new pathways and emphasizing specific categories to reflect the nation’s labor market needs and priorities for immigration. Taking effect from February 2025, immigration changes within Express Entry present opportunities for educators and other professionals, aligning with unreleased census data indicating labor shortages within these key sectors.
The most notable change involves the inclusion of education-related occupations such as teachers, early childhood educators, and special needs instructors to the list of eligible categories within the Express Entry system. Immigration Minister Marc Miller pointed out, “By addressing labor shortages, strengthening our economy, and increasing Francophone immigration, we are building a more dynamic workforce with workers and professionals from in-demand fields.”
This shift forms part of the broader immigration strategy aimed at attracting skilled workers, particularly those already residing temporarily within Canada. Following the announcement, Miller stressed the target of having 40% of permanent residents selected from within Canada. A coherent move considering several recent draws indicate the government’s leanings toward prioritizing candidates who already possess Canadian work experience.
The changes are particularly pertinent as Canada also aims to raise the percentage of French-speaking immigrants, with aspirations to have 8.5% of new immigrants speaking French. Such moves place additional emphasis on individuals proficient in the French language as part of the Express Entry prioritization.
Data from the recent Express Entry draws reveal intriguing trends. On March 6, 2025, the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 4,500 invitations to apply (ITMs) for candidates with French language proficiency, setting the cut-off Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score at 410. Earlier, on February 19, there were 6,500 ITMs issued to candidates, emphasizing the government's current focus on Francophone immigration.
Despite these advances for language-specific candidates, the government has made strategic cuts, removing many jobs classified under STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), transport, and agriculture from targeted Express Entry draws this year. The absence of these professions reflects the government's attempt to streamline selected categories. Consequently, professionals within these domains may find themselves needing to pivot to general Express Entry draws or explore Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) for immigration routes.
The latest designations under the Express Entry system come following its recent restructuring, which now prioritizes healthcare, social services, trades, and education. These shifts also reflect more significant movements to provide pathways for international students. Camille Yacaba, a Filipina student studying early childhood education at Humber Polytechnic, expressed relief at these changes stating, “It is my fervent hope the government continues to recognize the dedication and hard work early childhood educators put in to serve Canadian families.”
Current statistics paint the picture of increased ITA activity under the Express Entry category-based selections. For example, draws held so far this year have included four PNP draws and three Canadian Experience Class draws, with the most recent PNP draw occurring on March 3. Notably, Canadian Experience Class candidates continue to receive much attention, indicating the government’s desire to retain skilled workers already assimilated within local communities.
This renewed commitment from the Canadian government reflects timely recognition of the specific roles workers play and the contributions they can make to the economy.
With the opening of the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) on March 5, 2025, two new pathways align closely with Express Entry protocols. The updates follow reductions to New Brunswick’s provincial nomination allocations, prompting the need for revisions to immigration streams. Candidates are encouraged to demonstrate meaningful ties to New Brunswick, like full-time employment with a local employer over 12 months, to stand within this new pathway.
Not all are eligible, though. The NBPNP clarified individuals working within sectors like accounting, culinary roles, and administrative assistants will not be considered for provincial nomination. Such exclusions signify the province's focused approach on attracting skilled professionals equipped to meet local demands.
While Canada's immigration policies shift to align closely with labor market demands, the experience from the field remains indicative of how these transitions are perceived. Educational and immigrant advocates suggest the changes signal positive reforms moving forward, though the temporary exclusions and adjustments have sparked diverse receptions about the future of these frameworks.
Going forward, it will be wise for prospective applicants to monitor the IRCC developments closely, including future announcements related to CRS scores, as the upcoming spring may see the removal of CRS points for arranged job offers. With such drastic shifts right on the horizon, those holding offers should be prepared to assess their immigration routes accordingly.
All candidates interested are advised to prepare well-structured Expressions of Interest (EOIs), as the process to gain provincial nominations diverges from previous first-come, first-served bases. Such clarity underlines the need for interested parties to understand eligibility to increase their chances of receiving nomination invitations, ensuring they briefly outline their contributions to Canada’s social fabric during submissions.
Overall, as Canada continues to reshape its immigration strategy, the balance between meeting labor demands and appreciating the integral roles of skilled professionals will play out across various sectors, ideally positioning the country for growth and prosperity.