Canadian Immigration Podcast

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman-Beharry examine one of the most controversial elements of Canada's proposed Express Entry reforms—the planned removal of the spousal points grid that currently reduces Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores for applicants with accompanying spouses.

They explain how the current system penalizes many married and common-law couples, why IRCC's own economic research suggests the policy does not accurately predict immigrant success, and what applicants should consider while waiting for the proposed changes to be implemented.

Key Topics Discussed

How the current spousal points grid reduces CRS scores for accompanying spouses

Why IRCC's own research suggests spouse factors have little impact on long-term economic success

The proposed removal of the spousal points grid and what it could mean for families

Practical strategies for couples deciding whether to include a spouse on an Express Entry application

Key Takeaways

Under the current CRS system, applicants with accompanying spouses can lose up to 40 human capital points, depending on their spouse's education, language ability, and Canadian work experience.

IRCC's own longitudinal research indicates that a spouse's education, language ability, and Canadian work experience have little measurable impact on the principal applicant's long-term economic outcomes.

Removing the spousal grid would allow applicants to be assessed on their own human capital rather than their spouse's qualifications, helping reduce unintended penalties for families.

Although the proposed reform has been announced, applicants must continue planning under the current rules until IRCC officially implements the changes.

Quotes from the Episode:

Mark Holthe:

"It wasn't the spouse that reduced a family's success—the system simply assumed it did."

Alicia Backman-Beharry:

"The evidence doesn't support the spousal grid. It really functions as a penalty that doesn't reflect actual economic outcomes."

Links and Resources

How to list your Canadian spouse in an Express Entry Application

Watch this episode on YouTube

Canadian Immigration Podcast

Book a consult

Enroll in the Express Entry Accelerator and Masterclass

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Stay up-to-date with the latest in Canadian immigration by subscribing to the Canadian Immigration Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or YouTube. Don’t miss future episodes on policy changes, strategies, and practical advice for navigating Canada’s immigration process.

Disclaimer

This episode provides general information about Canadian immigration and is not intended as legal advice. For personalized assistance, consult an immigration lawyer.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman-Beharry examine the return of job offers as a proposed factor in Express Entry and why this change could become one of the most significant elements of Canada's immigration reforms.

They explain why job offer points were eliminated due to widespread LMIA fraud, how IRCC plans to reintroduce job offers through the proposed High-Wage Occupation framework, and why the new approach may benefit some applicants while leaving many essential workers behind.

Key Topics Discussed

Why job offer points were removed from Express Entry

How LMIA fraud undermined the integrity of the system

The proposed return of job offers tied to High-Wage Occupation classifications

Why legitimate employers and many lower-wage essential workers may be affected by the new rules

Key Takeaways

Job offer points were eliminated because widespread LMIA fraud allowed individuals to purchase fraudulent job offers to gain additional CRS points.

IRCC now proposes bringing job offers back through the High-Wage Occupation framework, focusing on occupations with higher national median wages.

Applicants working in high-wage occupations may receive significant advantages, while many healthcare support workers, hospitality employees, and other essential occupations may receive little or no benefit.

Although IRCC has outlined its direction, important details—including how qualifying job offers will be defined and how the new rules will be implemented—have not yet been finalized.

Quotes from the Episode:

Mark Holthe:
"It wasn't the system that was broken—it was the enforcement that was broken."

Alicia Backman-Beharry:
"A real offer is the only offer of employment that should count under the old system or under the new system."

Links and Resources

Watch this episode on YouTube

Canadian Immigration Podcast

Book a consult

Enroll in the Express Entry Accelerator and Masterclass

Claiming Express Entry CRS points for a Job Offer in Canada

Subscribe for More
Stay up-to-date with the latest in Canadian immigration by subscribing to the Canadian Immigration Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or YouTube. Don’t miss future episodes on policy changes, strategies, and practical advice for navigating Canada’s immigration process.

Disclaimer

This episode provides general information about Canadian immigration and is not intended as legal advice. For personalized assistance, consult an immigration lawyer.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman-Beharry break down one of the most significant proposed changes to Express Entry: the new High-Wage Occupation (HWO) factor.

They explain why IRCC believes pre-landing earnings are a strong predictor of economic success, how the proposed occupation-based multiplier could dramatically boost CRS scores for some applicants, and why many temporary residents—including international graduates and essential workers—could find themselves at a disadvantage.

Key Topics Discussed

Why IRCC is introducing the proposed High-Wage Occupation factor

How occupation—not your personal salary—will determine eligibility

The three proposed wage multiplier categories and how they may work

Why some occupations could receive significant CRS boosts while others receive none

Key Takeaways

The proposed High-Wage Occupation factor is based on national median wages for occupations, not what an individual personally earns.

Applicants working in higher-paying occupations may receive substantial additional CRS points under the new system.

Many essential workers and international graduates in lower-wage occupations could become less competitive despite having Canadian education and work experience.

Although the overall framework has been released, many implementation details—including the exact CRS points awarded—have not yet been finalized.

Quotes from the Episode:

Mark Holthe:
"It is occupation-based, not individual-based."

Alicia Backman-Beharry:
"The system is not structurally reinforcing the wages of the people that we tend to devalue."

Links and Resources

Watch this episode on YouTube

Canadian Immigration Podcast

Book a consult

Enroll in the Express Entry Accelerator and Masterclass

Subscribe for More
Stay up-to-date with the latest in Canadian immigration by subscribing to the Canadian Immigration Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or YouTube. Don’t miss future episodes on policy changes, strategies, and practical advice for navigating Canada’s immigration process.

Disclaimer

This episode provides general information about Canadian immigration and is not intended as legal advice. For personalized assistance, consult an immigration lawyer.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman-Beharry examine one of the biggest proposed Express Entry reforms: merging the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades Program into a single pathway.

They explain who stands to benefit, who may be disadvantaged, and why simplifying the system could dramatically change who qualifies for permanent residence in Canada.

Key Topics Discussed

Why IRCC wants to merge the three Express Entry programs

New minimum eligibility requirements under the proposed single program

Winners and losers under the proposed changes

Why trades workers and international students may face new barriers

Key Takeaways

A single Express Entry program may simplify the system but will also reshape who qualifies to enter the pool.

Foreign skilled workers with varied work experience may benefit from more flexible eligibility rules.

Higher language and education requirements could make it harder for many skilled trades workers to qualify.

The proposed reforms are still subject to public consultation, giving Canadians and stakeholders an opportunity to provide feedback.

Quotes from the Episode:

Mark Holthe:
“When you take three doors built to three different heights and replace them with one door, somebody’s door just got lower. Somebody else’s just got higher.”

Alicia Backman-Beharry:
“Simpler is a relative term measured against the old system, and it’s not a promise for what your odds are in the future under the new program.”

Links and Resources

Watch this episode on YouTube

Canadian Immigration Podcast

Book a consult

Enroll in the Express Entry Accelerator and Masterclass

Subscribe for More
Stay up-to-date with the latest in Canadian immigration by subscribing to the Canadian Immigration Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or YouTube. Don’t miss future episodes on policy changes, strategies, and practical advice for navigating Canada’s immigration process.

Disclaimer

This episode provides general information about Canadian immigration and is not intended as legal advice. For personalized assistance, consult an immigration lawyer.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Mark Holthe and Alicia Backman-Beharry continue their series on major Express Entry reforms expected in Canada.

They explain why a high CRS score may no longer guarantee a realistic path to permanent residence, and break down the growing divide between general draws and category-based draws in Express Entry.

Key Topics Discussed

The 169 versus 505 CRS paradox

General draws versus category-based draws

STEM draw blackout and category-based uncertainty

High-wage occupations and future CRS changes

Key Takeaways

A higher CRS score does not always mean a better chance of receiving an ITA.

Category-based draws can completely change the outcome for applicants with lower CRS scores.

Some categories, including STEM, may remain inactive for long periods despite appearing on IRCC’s list.

Applicants need to understand where they stand now and prepare before CRS changes arrive.

Quotes from the Episode:

Mark Holthe:
“If your whole plan is, ‘I will just wait for the general cutoff to drift down to my score,’ the data is basically telling you that that’s not a plan.”

Alicia Backman-Beharry:
“It is just so important now to be extremely targeted in terms of how you are planning for your future instead of passive.”

Links and Resources

Watch this episode on YouTube

Canadian Immigration Podcast

Book a consult

Enroll in the Express Entry Accelerator and Masterclass

Subscribe for More
Stay up-to-date with the latest in Canadian immigration by subscribing to the Canadian Immigration Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or YouTube. Don’t miss future episodes on policy changes, strategies, and practical advice for navigating Canada’s immigration process.

Disclaimer

This episode provides general information about Canadian immigration and is not intended as legal advice. For personalized assistance, consult an immigration lawyer.