July 2025 Canada updates: Manitoba PNP Draw #249 invites 67 candidates, PEI achieves 3.6% GDP growth, Saskatchewan’s minimum wage rises to $15.35, and international travel drops 14.2% in June. Go Canada Services offers expert immigration guidance.
Canada Immigration and Economic Updates July 2025: Manitoba PNP, PEI Growth, Saskatchewan Wage Hike, Travel Decline
International Travel Decline Introduction
July 2025 brings pivotal updates to Canada’s immigration and economic landscape, reflecting efforts to balance labor market needs, economic growth, and infrastructure capacity. Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) Draw #249 issued 67 invitations to skilled workers and international graduates, Prince Edward Island (PEI) led Canada with a 3.6% GDP increase in 2024, Saskatchewan announced a minimum wage hike to $15.35 effective October 2025, and international travel to Canada dropped 14.2% in June 2025.
These developments align with Canada’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, targeting 395,000 permanent residents and 673,650 temporary residents in 2025. Go Canada Services, a trusted immigration firm since 2004, offers expert support for navigating these changes. This article explores these updates, their implications, and how Go Canada Services can assist.
Manitoba PNP Draw #249: Targeting Skilled Workers and Graduates
On July 10, 2025, Manitoba conducted MPNP Draw #249, issuing 67 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) under two streams to address labor shortages in high-demand sectors like healthcare, technology, and manufacturing:
- Skilled Worker Streams (27 Invitations):
- Streams: Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Workers Overseas.
- Criteria: Targeted via the Strategic Recruitment Initiative (SRI), requiring a minimum Expression of Interest (EOI) score of 673 out of 1,000.
- Eligibility: Skilled Worker in Manitoba requires a permanent, full-time job offer and six months of continuous work in Manitoba. Skilled Workers Overseas needs Manitoba connections (e.g., family, prior work/education, or SRI invitation). Valid language tests (e.g., IELTS, CELPIP) are mandatory.
- Express Entry: 29 of the 67 invitations went to Express Entry candidates, adding 600 CRS points for permanent residency.
- International Education Stream – Graduate Internship Pathway (GIP) (40 Invitations):
- Criteria: Targeted Master’s or Doctoral graduates from Manitoba institutions who completed industry-relevant internships.
- Eligibility: Requires a full-time job offer, a completed one-year+ academic program, and intent to settle in Manitoba.
Manitoba has invited 1,405 candidates in 2025, including 271 via Express Entry, within its reduced allocation of 4,750 nominations due to federal cuts. X posts from @ImmigrationMB emphasize Manitoba’s focus on rural labor needs. For MPNP support, visit Go Canada Services’ Immigration Programs.
PEI’s Economic Growth: Leading Canada in 2024
The 50th Annual Statistical Review reports PEI’s 3.6% real GDP growth in 2024, outpacing national rates for the ninth time in a decade. Key drivers include:
- Population Growth: A 2.8% increase to 178,550, driven by immigration (65% under 30), straining housing and services.
- Employment: A record 92,500 jobs, up 5.7%, with labor income up 8.3%, though unemployment rose to 8%.
- Housing Surge: Housing starts jumped 48.7% to 1,704 units, the highest since 1973, but low vacancy rates (1%) persist.
- Exports: International exports reached $2.5 billion, up 8.3%, led by potato products ($696.6 million) and bioscience.
- Inflation: Dropped to 1.8% from 2.9%, easing cost-of-living pressures.
Challenges include housing affordability, healthcare shortages (300+ nursing vacancies), and a projected 1.6% population growth slowdown in 2025 due to federal immigration cuts. PEI’s PNP targets 5,000 newcomers annually to address labor gaps. For settlement support, contact Go Canada Services via WhatsApp at +1(438)883-4577.
Saskatchewan Minimum Wage Increase to $15.35
Effective October 1, 2025, Saskatchewan’s minimum wage will rise from $15.00 to $15.35 per hour, based on an indexation formula weighing the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Average Hourly Wage equally. This follows a 27% increase from $11.81 in 2022 to $15.00 in 2024, fulfilling a government commitment. Deputy Premier Jim Reiter highlighted the balance between worker support and affordability, with Saskatchewan maintaining low personal taxes.
The province is consulting with Chambers of Commerce to assess business impacts, as the 2023 living wage in Regina ($17.90) and Saskatoon ($18.95) exceeds the new rate, raising concerns about sufficiency. For wage-related immigration impacts, explore Go Canada Services’ Work Permit Services.
International Travel to Canada Declines 14.2% in June 2025
International arrivals to Canada fell 14.2% in June 2025 compared to June 2024, marking the fifth consecutive month of year-over-year declines. Key statistics include:
- Non-Resident Air Arrivals: 1.3 million, down 0.4%.
- Canadian-Resident Air Returns: Down 3.4%.
- Canadian-Resident Automobile Returns from the US: Dropped 33.1%, the largest contributor to the decline.
- Canada Day Weekend: US-resident arrivals surged 23% compared to other weekends in June, showing holiday-driven travel spikes.
This decline, reported by Statistics Canada, reflects tightened immigration policies, including a 10% reduction in study permits and halved PNP allocations, impacting tourism and temporary resident inflows. The 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan aims to stabilize arrivals at 673,650 temporary residents. For travel or visa support, visit Go Canada Services’ Visitor Visa Services.
Strategies for Immigration and Settlement Success
- Manitoba PNP:
- Boost EOI scores with high language proficiency (CLB 7+), Manitoba job offers, and alignment with in-demand occupations (e.g., healthcare, IT).
- Express Entry candidates should ensure valid profiles for the 600-point nomination boost.
- GIP applicants need job offers in fields like technology or research.
- PEI Settlement:
- Apply through PEI’s PNP for skilled worker or entrepreneur streams, targeting agriculture, bioscience, or tourism.
- Plan housing early due to 1% vacancy rates, focusing on Charlottetown or Summerside rentals.
- Saskatchewan Employment:
- Target jobs in retail, hospitality, or agriculture, where the $15.35 minimum wage applies, but note living wage gaps ($17.90–$18.95).
- Secure work permits for temporary roles, leveraging Saskatchewan’s low taxes.
- Travel Planning:
- Anticipate visa delays due to reduced temporary resident quotas.
- Plan visits around high-traffic periods like Canada Day for better travel options.
For personalized strategies, start with Go Canada Services’ Free Assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions about July 2025 Canada immigration and economic updates:
- What were the details of Manitoba PNP Draw #249?
Manitoba invited 67 candidates on July 10, 2025: 27 skilled workers (minimum EOI score 673) and 40 Graduate Internship Pathway candidates, including 29 Express Entry profiles. - What fueled PEI’s 3.6% GDP growth in 2024?
A 2.8% population increase to 178,550, 92,500 jobs, 48.7% housing start surge, and $2.5 billion in exports drove PEI’s economic growth. - What is Saskatchewan’s new minimum wage for 2025?
Effective October 1, 2025, the minimum wage will rise to $15.35 per hour, based on CPI and Average Hourly Wage indexation. - Why did international travel to Canada decline in June 2025?
A 14.2% drop in arrivals, driven by a 33.1% decrease in Canadian-resident automobile returns from the US, reflects tightened immigration policies.
Why Choose Go Canada Services?
Go Canada Services excels in navigating Canada immigration updates, offering tailored solutions for Permanent Residency, Work Permits, Study Permits, and Visitor Visas. Their regulated consultants ensure compliance with MPNP, PEI PNP, and federal requirements. Start with a Free Assessment or contact them at Go Canada Services’ Contact Page.
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