Canada on Wednesday introduced new immigration priority categories to bring in skilled workers across research, health care, aviation, and selected military roles, aligning with the government’s strategy to attract talent while reducing overall permanent residency levels.
The changes to the Express Entry system, announced by Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab, are designed to ensure that immigrants can “contribute from day one” in critical sectors facing labor shortages. New priority streams include researchers, senior managers, transport-sector professionals such as pilots and aircraft mechanics, foreign medical doctors with Canadian experience, and highly skilled military recruits—including doctors, nurses, and pilots—recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces.
Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized that the initiative complements a broader defense strategy aimed at reducing reliance on the United States. The plan seeks to increase defense R&D investment by 85%, boost defense industry revenues by over 240%, raise defense exports by 50%, and create up to 125,000 new jobs over the next decade. NATO-aligned commitments include increasing defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.
Existing Express Entry categories, including French-language candidates, health-care workers, and skilled trades, will continue alongside the new targeted streams, reflecting Canada’s dual goal of maintaining sustainable immigration levels while addressing skill gaps in key industries.
