Canada will provide extra immigration points in its Express Entry program to candidates with high-wage occupations, such as engineers and electricians, in an effort to drive economic growth, the federal government said Friday.

The boost, which starts in November, aims to attract and retain skilled workers and better align the immigration system with Canada’s economic and labour market needs, Ottawa said in a statement.

“Canada is competing globally for people with the skills we need to build a prosperous economy and stronger public services,” immigration minister Lena Metlege Diab Metlege said.

“These changes will help us identify, attract, and retain the skilled newcomers who are best positioned to succeed in Canada, while making the Express Entry system more targeted and responsive.”

The Express Entry system is one of the more popular ways of immigrating to Canada. The system provides prospective immigrants with points for their education levels, work experience, English and French language proficiency, age and other factors.

The higher applicants score, the higher the chance they have of becoming permanent residents, which eventually leads to citizenship. The system is designed to attract young, skilled people who are more likely to earn more money and contribute positively to the Canadian economy.

  • Canada’s population growth slows to lowest level in 80 years
  • Canada’s immigration system needs to be reset in order to face ongoing economic challenges, says RBC

For Express Entry, a high-wage occupation is one with a median wage of at least 1.3 times the median wage of the overall Canadian workforce, the statement said.

Eligible high-wage occupations include jobs in health care, skilled trades, engineering, technology and education.

The system also includes provisions to target specific groups of skills and occupations. In December, 2025, Canada announced a separate express entry category for doctors. It also has categories that prioritize candidates with skills and experience in key sectors, including health care, skilled trades, research, transportation and education, and people who can speak French.

• Email: nkarim@postmedia.com