Canada is repealing these three immigration programs and changing some work permit rules. Here’s what we know

Of note. While appears to be an effort at streamlining and simplification, devil will be in the details:

Ottawa is going to cancel Canada’s three core federal skilled immigration programs and streamline them into a single high-skilled immigration class.

The repeal of the existing programs — federal skilled workers, Canadian experience class and federal skilled trades — is among the six anticipated regulatory notices the Immigration Department posted online this week. They cover subjects ranging from streamlining study and work authorizations to asylum reforms and modernizing federal economic immigration.

Although these notices offer scant detail on the actual proposed amendments, they set out the direction of the changes under consideration by the federal government.

According to the latest annual immigration report to Parliament, 92,795 permanent residents were admitted under the three federal immigration programs in 2024. They made up almost a third of the 281,615 newcomers admitted under the economic class.

Although the programs each have their own eligibility criteria, candidates are managed in a talent pool where they receive points for education, work experience and language skills among other personal attributes. They are then ranked against one other and invited to submit permanent resident applications through periodic draws for respective programs.

In repealing the programs, the department’s regulatory notice said it will introduce a new “federal high skilled immigration class” with streamlined eligibility requirements.

“The proposed regulatory changes could positively impact the Canadian economy broadly, and businesses seeking skilled workers, by establishing a more diverse pool of international talent to fill a variety of labour market needs,” it said without elaboration.

“Streamlined requirements would also ensure that the system is easier for clients, employers and partners to understand and navigate.”

In addition, immigration officials would streamline study and work authorizations for foreign nationals in Canada by removing the co-op work permit requirement for international students and the study permit requirement for foreign apprentices….

Source: Canada is repealing these three immigration programs and changing some work permit rules. Here’s what we know