Canada drops Canadian-first hiring rule for Express Entry

Canada has dropped a Canadian-first hiring safeguard tied to its Express Entry immigration system, according to a report published by Juno News on 16 October 2026. The headline states the change was made by the government led by Mark Carney, but the Google News page text provided contains no further detail on the exact policy instrument, effective date, or official wording.

Why it matters

For jobseekers watching Canada, any tweak to Express Entry gets attention quickly because the system is the main federal route for skilled workers to gain permanent residence. In general context — not specific to this report — Express Entry has historically interacted with Canada's labour market tests in two ways.

First, employers hiring foreign workers often needed a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to show no Canadian was available. A positive LMIA could then add points or support a work permit. Second, Express Entry itself awards Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for factors like age, education, language, and in some cases arranged employment.

When reports talk about a "Canadian-first" safeguard, they are usually referring to that LMIA-style check or to extra points that favour candidates already working in Canada. If such a safeguard is removed or loosened, the practical effect — in general terms — is that foreign candidates applying from outside Canada may compete on a more level points field, while employers may face fewer steps before offering a job to an overseas hire. That does not guarantee more invitations; it changes how eligibility and ranking are calculated.

It is important to be clear: the material provided for this story does not state which safeguard was removed, how CRS scoring has changed, or whether LMIAs are still required for certain streams. Those specifics have not been announced in the material we have.

Key details

Here is what is confirmed from the material provided:

• What was reported: The Canadian government under Mark Carney dropped a Canadian-first hiring safeguard for Express Entry.
• Source of report: Juno News, via Google News.
• Publication timestamp: Fri, 16 Oct 2026 23:05:52 GMT.
• Official policy text: Not included in the material. No link to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or Canada Gazette was provided.

What is not in the material — and therefore we are not assuming:

• Number of posts, occupations affected, or CRS cut-off changes
• Salary thresholds, deadlines, or transition dates
• Eligibility changes for Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades
• Whether provincial nominee programmes are affected

General context for readers: In past years, IRCC has periodically adjusted CRS points for arranged employment and LMIA requirements. Any formal change would normally appear on the IRCC website and in ministerial instructions. Until that official notice is seen, treat this as a reported change that still needs official confirmation.

What to do next

If you are considering Canada from Nepal or elsewhere, don't act on a headline alone. Here's a practical checklist:

• Verify on the official channel: Check IRCC's Express Entry page for any update to proof of funds, job offer requirements, and CRS criteria. Look for a date-stamped news release.
• Keep your profile ready: Language test (IELTS General or CELPIP), ECA for education, passport, and work reference letters are still core documents for Express Entry in general.
• Watch for employer fraud: Canada does not require payment for a genuine LMIA or Express Entry invitation. Any agent asking for large fees for a "guaranteed" Canadian job should be avoided.
• For applicants from Nepal: Labour migration to Canada is not handled through DoFE mass recruitment like Gulf jobs. The official route is direct via IRCC. If you use a consultancy, ensure it is licensed and never surrender your original passport or pay outside an official receipt. Check Nepal's Department of Foreign Employment only for advisories, not for Express Entry draws.
• Track next steps: If IRCC confirms the change, the next things to look for are the effective date, whether existing profiles are rescored, and whether new ministerial instructions are published.

Bottom line: a report says a Canadian-first safeguard has been dropped from Express Entry under the Carney government, but without the official text we can't yet say how it changes points, job offers, or who benefits. Wait for IRCC confirmation before you rework your strategy.