OTTAWA – Immigration Minister Lena Diab has announced the introduction of three new permanent residency streams to Canada's Express Entry program, encompassing a diverse array of professions, including those in the military sector. This initiative is designed to attract a wide range of skilled workers to Canada as part of a comprehensive federal strategy aimed at sourcing "top talent" for the country's labor market.
The newly established streams will also be available to researchers and senior managers who possess Canadian work experience. This move complements the government’s $1.7 billion initiative focused on drawing researchers to Canadian academic institutions, thereby enhancing the country’s capacity for innovation and research.
During a speech delivered to the Canadian Club Toronto on February 17, 2026, Diab elaborated on the government's broader immigration strategy, which seeks to recruit "the best and brightest" talent from around the world, all while simultaneously reducing the total number of permanent and temporary residents allowed entry into Canada each year.
One key sector that will benefit from these new Express Entry streams is transportation, specifically targeting professions such as pilots, aircraft mechanics, and inspectors. Diab emphasized the importance of strengthening these sectors to ensure efficient movement of goods throughout Canada and into international markets, thereby bolstering trade, supply chains, and overall economic resilience.
In addition to these developments, Ottawa is set to unveil a new Express Entry stream tailored for foreign military personnel who have been recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces. This stream will specifically focus on applicants who are qualified for roles as doctors, nurses, and pilots. This new initiative aligns with the government's recently announced $6.6 billion defence industrial strategy, further underscoring the commitment to enhancing national security and defense capabilities.
The newly introduced streams will be in addition to previously established ones, which include opportunities for foreign medical doctors who have at least one year of Canadian work experience in the past three years, as highlighted in the federal budget. These measures aim to reinforce the ongoing efforts to attract skilled healthcare professionals to provide essential services within the country.
The Express Entry program will continue to feature existing categories for various skilled trades, including nurses, dentists, pharmacists, carpenters, and plumbers, thus ensuring a balanced approach in addressing different labor market needs across a range of sectors.
Furthermore, candidates possessing strong French language skills will still receive preferential treatment within the Express Entry system. This approach is part of Canada's initiative to increase the number of francophone immigrants residing outside Quebec, thereby promoting linguistic diversity and cultural richness across the nation.
In summary, the announced changes to Canada's immigration policy reflect a strategic and targeted approach to enhance the country’s labor market by attracting skilled professionals, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare and defense. This initiative may significantly influence Canada's economic and social landscape by fostering growth, innovation, and resilience in various industries.
