Top changes to the Canadian immigration system over the past 10 days (June 23 – July 3, 2025):

Toronto's iconic skyline rises majestically from the serene waters, framed by lush greenery on a clear day.

1. Strong Borders Act (Bill C‑2) introduced

• Date introduced: June 23; news reported July 2

• Key measures: Bars asylum hearings for refugees who entered via unofficial crossings or waited over a year to file claims; requires filing within 14 days; allows mass cancellation of immigration documents; expands powers of Canada Post, law enforcement, and intelligence servicesen.wikipedia.org+1en.wikipedia.org+1en.wikipedia.org+7theguardian.com+7reuters.com+7.

• Reactions: Strong backlash from human‑rights groups (e.g., Amnesty International) and refugee advocates, saying it undermines civil liberties and international obligations .

  
  

2. Wage threshold increases in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

• Effective date: LMIA applications submitted from June 27 must meet higher wage thresholds.

• Goal: Better align foreign worker pay with Canadian labor market standards. Applies nationwide across low‑ and high‑wage streams economictimes.indiatimes.com.

  
  

3. New permanent‑residence pathway building on EMPP

• Announcement date: June 29

• What’s new: Expansion of the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot into a new PR route to help economically skilled refugees and displaced individuals settle permanently in Canadaeconomictimes.indiatimes.com+1economictimes.indiatimes.com+1sultanlawyers.com+4avioimmigration.com+4economictimes.indiatimes.com+4.

  
  

4. IRCC website notices (June 12–25):

• June 12: Extension of EMPP pilot to Dec 31, 2025, with a 950‑applicant capavioimmigration.com+1iasservices.org.uk+1.

• June 17 & June 23: Additional information on the Strong Borders Act; selection process underway for new board of College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultantslinkedin.com+5canada.ca+5economictimes.indiatimes.com+5.

• June 25: Post‑graduation work permit rules updated (PGWP) for field‑of‑study requirements canada.ca.

  
  

5. Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Employer Portal launching July 2

• Announcement dates: June 13 & 15

• Changes: Transition from paper‑based to digital, employer‑led portal for Employer Job Offer streams (foreign workers, students, in‑demand skills). All existing EOIs withdrawn in late June; system down June 27–29; new EOIs valid for 12 months wolfsdorf.com+2avioimmigration.com+2greenberghameed.com+2.