Ontario faces growing pressure on affordability and healthcare

Ontarians are increasingly concerned about the direction of healthcare and cost of living, with nearly half believing it is time for a government change. Housing affordability, medical wait times, and access to family doctors have emerged as critical pain points affecting both long-term residents and newcomers to the province. The strain on healthcare infrastructure has been particularly acute for immigrant families, who often face additional barriers in navigating an already stretched system. While the Ford government maintains a strong electoral lead at 48%, public sentiment reveals deep frustration with affordability issues that transcend political allegiance. Even Progressive Conservative supporters express pessimism about housing costs and healthcare access, signaling that these kitchen-table concerns could reshape Ontario's political landscape heading into 2026.

Potential immigration crisis looms as work permit expirations surge

Canada faces a mounting challenge as nearly one million work permits have expired by late 2025, with close to another million set to lapse throughout 2026. This could result in roughly two million individuals without legal status by mid-2026, with South Asian nationals comprising approximately half of this figure. The situation has intensified due to recent policy shifts that have narrowed pathways to permanent residency, particularly affecting international students and temporary workers. Communities are already witnessing social strain, with makeshift settlements emerging and exploitation by unscrupulous operators targeting vulnerable populations.

Canada's refugee protection claims reached 300,000 pending cases in December 2025

The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada has reported a significant milestone: pending refugee protection claims reached 300,163 by December 2025. Despite processing 6,724 finalizations during the month, the new intake of 7,397 claims continues to outpace the resolution. The backlog has grown steadily throughout the year, reflecting ongoing challenges in the refugee determination system. Meanwhile, refugee appeals have also increased, with 4,665 cases pending by year-end, up from 3,303 at the start of 2024. Immigration appeals showed similar trends, with non-stayed pending cases climbing to 2,550. These figures underscore the mounting pressure on Canada's immigration infrastructure as authorities work to balance processing efficiency with fair case reviews.

Canada's immigration cuts leave the restaurant industry facing severe worker shortages

The Canadian restaurant sector is bracing for serious challenges as federal immigration restrictions threaten to worsen an already critical staffing crisis. With Ottawa slashing temporary resident admissions by 43 percent for 2026, industry leaders warn this could add another 50,000 vacant positions to the nearly 150,000 openings expected by 2027. Restaurant operators, many of whom are immigrants themselves, say the cuts not only make it harder to recruit reliable staff but also block pathways to permanent residency for workers who have spent years building their careers here. About 40 percent of restaurants are currently operating at a loss or barely breaking even, and with one in four restaurant workers being immigrants, the sector fears these policy shifts will push operations to the breaking point.

Canada's December employment holds steady as unemployment climbs to 6.8%

Canada's labor market showed minimal employment change in December 2025, adding just 8,200 jobs while the employment rate remained at 60.9%. However, the unemployment rate increased by 0.3 percentage points to 6.8% as more Canadians entered the job search. Employment gains were concentrated among workers aged 55 and older, with a 33,000 increase, while youth employment declined by 27,000. The healthcare and social assistance sectors led job growth, adding 21,000 new positions, and offsetting losses in professional services and accommodation. Regionally, Quebec posted employment gains of 16,000, while Alberta and Saskatchewan experienced declines. Average hourly wages grew 3.4% year-over-year to $37.06, reflecting continued but moderating wage pressure.

Saskatchewan reports strong job growth with over 15,000 new positions in 2025

Saskatchewan's labor market closed out 2025 on a high note, adding 15,200 jobs throughout the year while maintaining the country's lowest provincial unemployment rate at 5.2 percent. The province stood alone in reducing its unemployment rate compared to 2024, significantly outperforming the national average of 6.8 percent. Immigration and Career Training Minister Eric Schmalz attributed the success to robust industry performance and expanding opportunities across the province. Saskatchewan achieved record-breaking numbers with 617,400 people employed and a 63.9 percent employment rate, the highest among all provinces. The healthcare, construction, and agriculture sectors led job creation.

Statistics Canada creates 32,000 job opportunities for the 2026 Census

As Canada prepares for its next national census in May 2026, Statistics Canada has announced a massive hiring initiative to fill approximately 32,000 positions across the country. These roles are open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and individuals with valid work permits, providing a unique temporary employment opportunity for newcomers and residents alike. Census workers will play a critical role in gathering the demographic, social, and economic data that directly impacts government decisions on healthcare, housing, and community planning. Positions range from enumerators to crew leaders, with pay rates ranging from $25.87 to $31.32 per hour. By participating, workers help ensure an accurate statistical portrait of Canada, which is essential for the effective delivery of public services and programs that support all Canadians.

Canada helps newcomers feel at home and stay long-term via an innovative program

Canada is tackling immigrant retention through a unique approach that goes beyond traditional settlement services. The Canoo app provides newcomers with free access to over 1,400 cultural attractions and national parks, helping them explore their new country and build meaningful connections. With one in five immigrants leaving within 25 years, research shows that fostering a sense of belonging and optimism is crucial for retention. The program has already served more than 420,000 members, with 85% reporting an enhanced sense of belonging after just one year. As Canada faces workforce challenges from declining birth rates, keeping skilled immigrants has become essential for long-term economic growth.

Canada's tourism sector shows resilience with steady growth in Q3 2025

Canada's tourism industry posted solid gains in the third quarter of 2025, with tourism GDP climbing 0.9% despite ongoing trade tensions with the United States. The sector outpaced the broader economy, which grew just 0.5% during the same period. Accommodation and transportation industries led the expansion, while domestic tourism spending reached $20.8 billion. International visitor spending rebounded after a sharp decline in Q2, though many Canadians shifted their travel plans toward domestic destinations. The Canada Strong pass appears to have boosted rail travel, while employment in tourism-related jobs edged up 0.6%, even as overall employment contracted.