Canada Seeks Global Talent to Fill Labor Gaps
A resilient Canadian economy depends on a highly skilled workforce. Immigration helps fill critical labour gaps in priority industries where there is not enough domestic talent.
As outlined in Budget 2025, the International Talent Attraction Strategy aims to strengthen the jobs and industries that drive our economy and communities while helping restore balance and long-term sustainability in our immigration system.
Express Entry is an online system that we use to manage immigration applications from skilled workers. There are three immigration programs managed through Express Entry:
In category-based rounds of invitations, we invite candidates in the Express Entry pool who are eligible for a specific category to apply for permanent residence. Category-based selection allows Canada to invite candidates with the skills and experience needed to fill critical labour gaps in key sectors and occupations.
Categories for 2026
The new categories are
The renewed categories are
The minimum work experience required for all renewed categories has been increased from six months to one year of experience in an eligible occupation, gained in Canada or abroad over the previous three years. This will help select candidates who are more likely to succeed in their field in Canada.
How categories are established
Canada is prioritizing sectors that deliver essential services and drive long-term economic success while ensuring job opportunities for both Canadians and newcomers already in the country.
We are taking a targeted, evidence-based approach to economic immigration. Some categories-such as those for health care and social services, trades, and STEM occupations-are designed to respond directly to long-term labour market shortages as indicated by the Canadian Occupational Projection System, which accounts for anticipated domestic supply of workers in a given occupation. Others are intended to select candidates who can drive growth in specialized, innovative or emerging sectors and occupations, also supporting Canada's economy.
Prior to establishing a new category, the minister engages provinces and territories, and consults the public and stakeholders, including members of industry, unions, employers, workers, worker advocacy groups, settlement provider organizations, and immigration researchers and practitioners. These consultations enable provinces and territories, the public and stakeholders to provide input on categories and occupations that could be prioritized through Express Entry.
The total number of invitations to apply will be within the targets of the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan. The additional categories do not increase the number of invitations within that target.
A diverse, linguistically competent workforce
Francophone immigrants bring a wide range of skills and new connections to trade opportunities that are vital to Canada's long-term prosperity. A diverse, linguistically competent workforce is a competitive advantage in a global economy. Strengthening Francophone immigration aligns with Canada's goals of sustainable growth, regional and rural economic development, and social inclusion within Francophone minority communities.
Express Entry is the primary source of admissions of French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec. A category for French-proficient candidates allows for the selection of people who speak French, have work experience in highly skilled occupations and meet the requirements of one of the programs managed by Express Entry, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program. This means that any French-proficient candidate who is selected through Express Entry is well positioned to become economically established in Canada.
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Hon. Lena Metlege Diab
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2026/02/attracting-the-worlds-best-talent-to-fill-canadas-labour-gaps-and-build-our-economy.html
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