Connecting Ottawa Communique

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Connecting Ottawa Communique
12 mars 2026

We are pleased to provide this information for frontline workers to support the information and referral needs of clients. Connecting Ottawa education sessions that may be of interest to workers are listed following Connecting Ottawa News. After reviewing Connecting Ottawa’s education sessions, you will find information and updates from our lawyers and partners related to services and programs relevant to clients who have a communication barrier due to language or sensory disability. Please feel free to share this email widely among your networks.

Connecting Ottawa News
Connecting Ottawa Launching a New Information Session Series on Completing Application Forms
Connecting Ottawa will be offering a new series of information sessions focused on building the capacity of frontline workers to help their clients complete commonly used application forms. Frontline workers are often the first people clients turn to for help filling out forms when they don’t have a lawyer. In this series, we will use screen sharing to go through the relevant forms or online portals line by line, highlighting useful tips and common pitfalls. The goal is to help frontline workers feel more confident supporting their clients through these processes. Connecting Ottawa will also prepare accompanying information sheets for each session so that participants have a practical resource to refer back to when working with the form in the future. The series will begin on April 22, 2026 with a session on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) Permanent Residence (PR) Portal. Future sessions will cover topics such as the application form for open work permits and how to use IRCC’s webform. We also plan to expand beyond immigration and refugee law by offering sessions on application forms commonly used to access social benefits. If there is a specific form you would like us to cover that is not mentioned here, please feel free to email us with your suggestion at info@connectingottawa.com. The details about the April 22, 2026 session on Navigating the IRCC PR Portal are listed below under the heading: « Upcoming Connecting Ottawa Education Sessions. »

Connecting Ottawa’s Pilot Program to Support Frontline Workers Assisting Clients with One Year Window Applications
Connecting Ottawa is launching a pilot One Year Window (OYW) Clinic to support frontline workers who are assisting clients with OYW applications. A successful OYW application allows resettled refugees to bring immediate and declared family members (spouse/partner and dependent children) to Canada as permanent residents within one year of their own arrival. Through Connecting Ottawa’s OYW clinic, our staff – supported by law students – can review OWY application forms on IRCC’s Permanent Residence Portal, provide guidance on required supporting documentation, answer questions about the application process before the application is submitted, and more. Eligibility criteria will be consistent with Connecting Ottawa’s consultation requirements, including the involvement of a frontline worker and clients located in the Ottawa region who experience communication barriers. Please note that Connecting Ottawa may not be able to take on all cases, depending on our capacity and the complexity of the matter, particularly where a client may require full legal representation. Please stay tuned. More information coming soon!

Register today! Join us for an in-person workshop: « Demystifying Immigration Status – What Frontline Workers Need to know » (April 14, 2026)
We invite you to join us for this free in-person workshop, « Demystifying Immigration Status: What Frontline Workers Need to know, » designed to help frontline community workers learn more about immigration status. This session will provide an overview of the different immigration statuses in Canada and help you understand how to identify your clients’ status. It will also explain the rights, responsibilities, and entitlements that come with each status. The session will cover the following: refugees, protected persons, temporary residents, individuals with no status, permanent residents, individuals being sponsored for permanent residence, and individuals applying for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your understanding and better serve your clients!
Speakers: Tania Princz-Lebel and Laura Chaves Paz, Staff Lawyers, Connecting Ottawa
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: 219 Argyle Ave, Ottawa
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED! Space is limited. Registration closes on April 7, 2025.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/demystifying-immigration-status-tickets-1981368059202?aff=oddtdtcreator

Connecting Ottawa Communiqué Sign up
In Connecting Ottawa’s bi-weekly Communiqué, we share information about our upcoming education sessions, valuable resources, and timely information and updates on local, provincial, and federal legal and social service programs of interest to frontline workers serving clients in our target populations. If you are a frontline worker who wants to receive Connecting Ottawa’s Communiqué directly to your inbox, we encourage you to sign up here: https://connectingottawa.com/connecting-ottawa-communique/sign-up-for-communque/.

Upcoming Connecting Ottawa Education Sessions
Today! The Family Justice Centre: Supporting Clients with Family Law Matters
Speakers: Stephanie Giannandrea and Kien Saningong Azinwi, Family Justice Centre
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86756460642?pwd=E0RCBX6ct69Yyi2Z4K3GwVYa0ZJP68.1
Meeting ID: 867 5646 0642
Passcode: 887357
As frontline workers, you are often the first point of contact when a client faces a family law issue. This session will introduce the Family Justice Centre (FJC), a free, virtual legal clinic run by Pro Bono Students Canada that supports self-represented individuals through trauma-informed intake, summary legal advice, and document preparation. Law students, working alongside experienced family lawyers, provide assistance to clients who do not qualify for legal aid and cannot afford a lawyer. This session will provide a clear understanding of the FJC’s services, eligibility criteria, and referral process, giving frontline workers the knowledge, as well as increase the confidence of frontline workers to identify family law issues and connect clients with free or low-cost legal support. Please join us!

Supporting Low-Income Ottawa Residents with Tax Filing: Tools, Tips, and Free Services
Speakers: Jonathan Rothschild and Bill Singleton, Community Volunteer Income Tax Program
Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89739359631?pwd=Gcry6uZN4QnVM56UE3VGEdOCVJn7U2.1
Meeting ID: 897 3935 9631
Passcode: 566851
Based on feedback received by Connecting Ottawa highlighting how important this information is for frontline workers and their clients, we are pleased to offer the session again in a slightly more limited format, still with plenty of time before the tax filing deadline on April 30, 2026. This session is especially important for frontline workers who support low-income clients struggling to file their taxes. As income tax season approaches, the session will cover why it’s crucial for your clients to file their returns and where they can get help. Jonathon and Bill, longtime volunteers with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, will explain why filing income tax returns is essential for low-income individuals and how it helps maintain access to benefits and credits. They will also provide information on where clients can have their returns prepared for free. We hope you’ll join us to learn more about filing taxes in Canada and how you can support your clients in accessing the free assistance they may need.

Practical Skills for Frontline Workers: Navigating the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal
Speakers: Tania Princz-Lebel, Laura Chaves Paz, Connecting Ottawa
Date: Thursday, April 22, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87846460442?pwd=cmfZCBIB4veNliicMYrrOaP6LkXNoz.1
Meeting ID: 878 4646 0442
Passcode: 653195
Connecting Ottawa is pleased to announce the first session in a new series focused on practical skills and building familiarity with tools and processes that frontline workers encounter in their day-to-day work. This session will focus on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Permanent Residence (PR) Portal, which is the main way for applicants to submit many permanent residence applications, including those based on Protected Person status, humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) grounds, One Year Window applications, sponsorship applications, and more. This session aims to both build the capacity of frontline workers who support their clients in completing these online applications, as well as foster a better understanding of the immigration processes clients go through. During the session, Connecting Ottawa’s immigration lawyer will share their screen to walk you through the PR Portal, highlighting common pitfalls and offering guidance to complete applications accurately. Any frontline worker who supports clients with immigration applications is encouraged to attend.

Pro Bono Ontario Free Legal Advice Helpline: An Important Tool in the Toolkit for Frontline Workers Supporting Clients with Legal Issues
THIS INFORMATION SESSION WILL BE OFFERED IN FRENCH AND IN ENGLISH
Speaker: Nana Yaa Nartey, Pro Bono Ontario
Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
French Information Session:
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89402389767?pwd=s3EoE1qt29nuLhJzn924rf3J76Urlf.1
Meeting ID: 894 0238 9767
Passcode: 076921
English Information session:
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87588774404?pwd=VEZucBXgIZ8MumyFr8FH6COrzrDydx.1
Meeting ID: 875 8877 4404
Passcode: 579315
Frontline workers regularly encounter clients facing a wide range of legal issues, including matters that are not covered by Legal Aid Ontario. It can often be difficult to find free legal advice for these clients, particularly when they are self-represented litigants. Pro Bono Ontario’s Free Legal Advice Helpline can help fill that gap, offering services in both English and French. Callers can receive up to 30 minutes of summary legal advice on a variety of issues, including civil procedure, Small Claims Court, employment, housing, wills and estates, and consumer debt and protection. This information session will provide an overview of the helpline, including eligibility criteria, the areas of law covered, the services offered, and how frontline workers can help clients access it. If you are a frontline worker looking to learn about another legal referral option you can offer your clients, please join us!

New Date! Navigating Youth Justice: Tools for Supporting Families
Speaker: Maya Shukairy, Lawyer, Shukairy Law
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81564238211?pwd=5VnfMavqMEaIVnT8k7o1qFcY5TwIaa.1
Meeting ID: 815 6423 8211
Passcode: 590524
Maya Shukairy of Shukairy Law will present an information session for frontline workers who support families navigating complex challenges, including situations where a young person becomes involved with the criminal justice system. Understanding how the system works can help frontline workers provide informed, practical support during these difficult times. This session will offer a clear overview of key topics, including the Youth Criminal Justice Act, police interactions, bail, the right to a lawyer, detention, court processes, sentencing, youth records, and students’ rights when interacting with police at school. Participants will also learn about the role frontline workers can play in supporting justice-involved youth, along with practical tips and relevant community resources. This session will be especially valuable for frontline workers in schools or those working directly with youth, helping them understand their clients’ rights and share this information so young people can better understand and assert their own. Education is the first step to enforcing your rights!

Legal Information and Updates
Settlement Service Eligibility Changes for Economic Immigrants
On March 10, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced upcoming adjustments to the length of time economic immigrants may access federally funded settlement services. These changes support the government’s broader plan to maintain sustainable immigration levels while ensuring that essential services remain available for newcomers who rely on them most.

Beginning April 1, 2026, economic immigrants will be eligible to use settlement services for up to six years after obtaining permanent residence. One year later, on April 1, 2027, this eligibility window will be reduced to five years. These new limits apply to both current and future permanent residents in the economic class, including principal applicants, their spouses or partners, and dependent children. IRCC explains that the purpose of these changes is to encourage earlier engagement with settlement support and to preserve service capacity at a time when immigration volumes remain high. The government emphasizes that settlement services continue to play a vital role in helping newcomers integrate successfully into Canadian society by supporting their economic participation, social inclusion, and cultural adaptation. For further information please review: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/changes-settlement-service-eligibility-economic-immigrants.html.

Canada Extends Special Measures for Iranian Nationals
The Government of Canada has announced an extension of the temporary special measures originally introduced in February 2023 to support Iranian nationals already in the country. These measures were created in response to the ongoing instability in Iran, and the situation continues to remain uncertain. As a result, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a new set of targeted measures to ensure continued support for eligible individuals. Under the updated measures, Iranian nationals who hold a valid work permit issued on or before February 28, 2025, may apply to extend it. These special provisions will remain in effect until March 31, 2027. IRCC has confirmed that standard processing fees continue to apply. The announcement also clarifies that individuals wishing to extend their stay as visitors or renew their study permits must continue to apply through the regular IRCC processes, as these categories are not included in the special measures. For more information please review: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/canada-extends-certain-temporary-special-measures-iranian-nationals.html.

Canada to Grant Permanent Residence to 33,000 Workers
Canada is preparing to launch one of its most significant immigration initiatives in recent years. In an interview reported by national media outlets, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab confirmed that the federal government will introduce a new, one‑time pathway that will grant permanent residence to 33,000 temporary foreign workers already living and contributing in Canada. This measure was first signaled in the federal budget and later reflected in the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan. According to the Minister, the program has already been developed and will operate over 2026 and 2027, offering a limited‑window opportunity for eligible workers to transition from temporary to permanent status.

The new pathway is designed to support sectors experiencing chronic labour shortages across the country. It will focus on workers who have established themselves in Canada, gained Canadian work experience, and demonstrated long‑term ties to their communities. Please note that full eligibility criteria have not yet been released. Further details — including the list of qualifying occupations, language requirements, and application instructions — are expected to be published by IRCC in April 2026.

Citizenship: Knowledge and language assessment
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released updated instructions outlining new procedures for assessing the language and knowledge requirements for citizenship applicants. These updates replace previous guidance and introduce revised processes that officers will follow when evaluating applicants’ readiness for Canadian citizenship: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/updates/2026-citizenship-language-tests.html.

The new instructions provide detailed direction on how citizenship knowledge testing is to be administered and assessed. They also clarify what constitutes acceptable language evidence for citizenship grants, outlining the types of documentation and indicators officers may rely on when determining whether an applicant meets the language requirement.

In addition, the update includes revised procedures for conducting language and knowledge hearings. These hearings are used when additional assessment is required to determine whether an applicant meets the statutory requirements related to language proficiency and knowledge of Canada. For more information please review: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/canadian-citizenship/grant/language-assessment-tests-hearings.html.

New Employment Insurance (EI) Board of Appeal launching April 1, 2026
Starting April 1, 2026, people who want to appeal a reconsideration decision from Service Canada about EI benefits must begin their appeal with the new EI Board of Appeal. EI appeals that are already in progress before April 1 will continue to be handled by the Social Security Tribunal’s (SST) General Division. The SST’s Appeal Division will continue to hear second-level appeals. This includes appeals of decisions made by both the SST’s General Division and the EI Board of Appeal. For more information about the EI Board of Appeal, visit: https://caae-eiboa.service.canada.ca/en/index.shtml.

Temporary Employment Insurance (EI) measures ending April 11, 2026
Several temporary EI measures will end on April 11, 2026. After this date:

The one-week EI waiting period will no longer be waived.
Money paid when someone leaves a job (such as separation pay) will again be deducted from EI benefits if the claim, or the allocation of those payments, starts after April 11, 2026.
The Government of Canada will no longer provide 20 additional weeks of income support (up to a maximum of 65 weeks) for long-tenured workers who had EI claims between June 15, 2025, and April 11, 2026.

Catherine Street Community Service Hub Drop-in Services: March Calendar
The Catherine Street Community Service Hub has shared its calendar of drop-in partner services for March 2026: https://connexionottawa.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CSCS-Hub-Partner-Schedule-March-202641.pdf.

Pro Bono Ontario seeking French-speaking lawyers to volunteer for its Hotline
Pro Bono Ontario (PBO) operates a Free Legal Advice Hotline where self-represented litigants can obtain 30 minutes of summary legal advice on a range of issues including civil procedure, small claims court, employment, housing, wills and estates and consumer debt and protection. If you are a French-speaking lawyer practicing in one of these areas, or know lawyers who may be interested, please visit the PBO website to learn more about volunteering: https://www.probonoontario.org/volunteer/. English-speaking lawyers who are interested in volunteering are also welcome!

BLAC Out Hate webinar series – Healing Together: Restoring Wholeness in the Face of Anti-Black Hate
The Black Legal Action Centre (BLAC) is facilitating a webinar on March 26, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. that explores community healing in response to racial trauma. The session creates space to name the emotional and psychological impact of anti-Black hate while building practical tools for resilience, advocacy, and collective restoration. To learn more and register visit: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AYjNpKheQgO1rcidhPlLbw#/registration.

OCDSB Speaker Series – Helping Your Child Through Tough Times: A Webinar on Autistic Burnout, Inertia, Meltdown, and Shutdown
The Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) is facilitating a webinar on April 16, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. for parents and caregivers to help them understand the core experiences of Autistic youth: burnout, inertia (the intense struggle to start or stop tasks), meltdowns, and shutdowns (BIMS). The webinar will include valuable, practical, and positive strategies to support children’s well-being at home, helping them feel understood and respected. More details and registration link available here: https://www.ocdsb.ca/family-community-support/getting-involved/parent-involvement/speaker-series.

Reminder: Canada new express entry categories
On February 18, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the 2026 categories under the Express Entry system. This allows Canada to invite candidates with the skills and experience needed to fill critical labour gaps in key sectors and occupations. In addition to a new category for foreign medical doctors with Canadian work experience, Canada will introduce new categories for researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience, candidates with work experience in transport occupations, including pilots, aircraft mechanics and inspectors, and highly skilled foreign military applicants recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces in key roles such as military doctors, nurses and pilots. IRCC will continue holding invitation rounds to select candidates with strong French skills and those with work experience in the following categories that were in place in 2025: health care and social services, such as nurse practitioners, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists and chiropractors, and trades, such as carpenters, plumbers and machinists. For more information please review: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2026/02/canada-prioritizes-top-talent-in-2026-immigration-express-entry-categories.html.

Reminder: Program delivery update: Joint assistance sponsorships (JAS)
On February 23, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated and expanded the Joint Assistance Sponsorship (JAS) program delivery instructions, providing additional detail and guidance for officers responsible for assessing and managing these cases. Please note that JAS refers to a shared undertaking between a sponsoring group and IRCC to support a refugee or refugees with special needs whose integration is expected to require a longer or more intensive period of assistance. For more information please refer to: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/updates/joint-assistance-sponsorship-program.html.

Reminder: Program delivery update: Study permits
On February 19, 2026, IRCC introduced updates to clarify the following:

Who may study in Canada for less than six months, and the specific timeframes during which this is permitted.
Minor wording updates related to family members of foreign representatives.

These changes were made to improve clarity within the program delivery instructions for officers and stakeholders. For more information please visit: Program delivery update: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/updates/2026-students-who.html.

Reminder: Track workplace exposures with new Occupational Exposure Registry
The Ontario government has the Occupational Exposure Registry (OER), a secure online tool that allows workers to track and record exposure to hazardous substances on the job: https://www.ontario.ca/page/occupational-exposure-registry. The new digital self-tracker lets workers anonymously log exposure to 11 designated substances, including asbestos, lead, mercury and silica, and note details such as how the exposure occurred and what protective measures were in place. Each submission creates a downloadable record that workers can keep for future reference. The registry, introduced through the Working for Workers Act, 2023, aims to improve awareness, strengthen prevention efforts and support medical assessments, recognizing that occupational illnesses are often underreported and can take years to appear.

Reminder: Regulatory changes expand list of professions who can be commissioners for taking affidavits
Effective March 1, 2026, several positions will automatically be recognized as commissioners for taking affidavits under the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act, without needing to apply for a separate appointment. Newly included positions include:

First Nation Officers and Police Officers
Students at Law (articling students or those in the law practice program)
MPP constituency office staff
First Nation Chiefs and Council Members
ServiceOntario staff (public servants only)
Conservation Reserve Managers, Park Wardens, Superintendents, and Assistant Superintendents

Reminder: It’s tax season! Free tax clinics available
Through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) and Quebec’s Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program (ITAVP), community organizations host free tax clinics where trained volunteers help people with modest incomes and simple tax situations complete their tax returns: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/community-volunteer-income-tax-program.html.

Reminder: Connecting Ottawa’s Infographics, « Connecting Ottawa – Who We Are » and « When Should I Contact Connecting Ottawa »

Connecting Ottawa has infographics that provide a clear, visual overview of who we are, the services we offer, and when and how frontline workers can contact us for support. They’re designed to provide quick, accessible information that can help frontline workers better support their clients with legal issues.

The infographics in French and English can be accessed here:

Connecting Ottawa – Who We Are (English): https://connexionottawa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/What-is-Connecting-Ottawa-July-2025.pdf
Qu’est-ce que Connexion Ottawa (French): https://connexionottawa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Quest-Ce-Que-Connexion-Ottawa-July-2025.pdf
When Should I Contact Connecting Ottawa (English): https://connexionottawa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Frontline-Workers-at-Community-Agencies-When-Should-I-Contact-Connecting-Ottawa-July-2025.pdf
Les travailleurs de première ligne des organismes communautaires: quand dois-je communiquer avec Connexion Ottawa (French): https://connexionottawa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Les-Travailleurs-De-Premiere-Ligne-Des-Organismes-Communautaires-Quand-Dois-Je-Communiquer-Avec-Connexion-Ottawa-July-2025.pdf

In case you missed it … (we think the following information bears repeating):
Updated Connecting Ottawa information sheets
The following resources have been produced by Connecting Ottawa lawyers to provide front line workers and community members with information and referral resources for common legal issues. Please feel free to share with your clients and networks.

Ontario Announces 2026 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Allocation Increase
Ontario has released its 2026 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocation, confirming 14,119 nominations for the year—a 31% increase from the 10,750 spots available in 2025. This growth reflects the federal government’s expanded PNP admissions target for 2026, which rises from 55,000 to 91,500. The update was published on the province’s OINP webpage on February 6, 2026. Please check: https://www.ontario.ca/page/2026-ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-updates#february6-0. At this time, Ontario has not yet announced its priority sectors, occupation lists, or per‑stream nomination distribution for 2026. Further details are expected later in the year. Please refer to: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-oinp.

Canada Exceeds Its Francophone Immigration Target (2025)
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed that 8.9% of permanent residents admitted outside Quebec in 2025 were French‑speaking, surpassing the federal target for the fourth year in a row. Beginning in 2026, the government will also reserve 5,000 additional federal selection spaces for French‑speaking immigrants, supporting provinces and territories and helping Canada move toward its goal of 12% Francophone admissions by 2029. For more information please refer to: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2026/01/canada-exceeded-its-francophone-immigration-target-for-2025.html.

IRCC Releases 2026 PAL/TAL Requirements
IRCC has updated its rules for Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letters (PAL/TAL) for study permit applications in 2026. Please refer to: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/2026-provincial-territorial-allocations-under-international-student-cap.html. The biggest change is that master’s and PhD students at public designated learning institutions (DLIs) no longer require a PAL/TAL, joining other exempt groups such as K–12 students and exchange students. Most undergraduate and college programs still require a PAL/TAL, and applicants changing DLIs or levels of study will also need one. Please refer to: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/study-permits/attestation-letters.html.

IRCC Program Delivery Update – Open Work Permits for Vulnerable Workers (February 2026)
IRCC has updated its Program Delivery Instructions to provide clearer guidance to officers processing Open Work Permits for Vulnerable Workers (OWP‑V). Key changes include:

New guidance sections

Examples of situations that may not constitute abuse
Handling missing documents or information
Use of extrinsic evidence
Updated supporting document requirements
Procedural fairness and interview guidance
Instructions related to the Immigration Medical Examination (IME)

For more information please review: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/foreign-workers/vulnerable-workers.html.

IRCC Update – Family‑Based Permanent Residence (PR) Pathway for People Affected by the Conflict in Sudan (Jan 30, 2026)
IRCC has released new Program Delivery Instructions for the updated temporary public policy supporting permanent residence for foreign nationals affected by the conflict in Sudan who have family in Canada. The guidance applies to applications received on or after February 25, 2025 and outlines how officers should assess eligibility, documentation, and processing under this family‑based pathway. Please refer to: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/updates/2025-pp-pr-sudan.html and
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/pp-pr-sudan.html.

New version of ODSP Mandatory Special Necessities (MSN) benefit application and important changes to ODSP Income Support Directive 9.12, “Mandatory Special Necessities”
A new version of the ODSP MSN benefit application (https://forms.mgcs.gov.on.ca/dataset/on00646/resource/179d722f-b1c3-4a9e-97aa-3b042d88bb78) and updates to Income Support Directive 9.12 are now in effect. Key changes include:

A web-based schedule, with categories for diabetic, incontinence, respiratory, wound care, prosthetic, and monitoring supplies, self-care aids, braces, casts, splints, pressure devices, and lymphedema management.
“Pay direct” is now the recommended option.
MSN applications can now be completed by physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, physician assistants, and psychologists (medical transportation only).
Exclusions include sports/work items, clothing, cosmetic items, experimental equipment, therapy treatments, exercise equipment, household items, dental items, home renovations, medical treatment/medications, warranty repairs, environmental controls, and mobility devices.
Certain supplies (e.g., most diabetic and respiratory supplies, select prosthetic items, blood pressure monitors) can be requested with a health professional attestation, without a formal MSN application.
Local/regional public transit and paratransit are the default. Taxi coverage is limited to cases where other options are unavailable and medically necessary.
Publicly funded health providers are responsible for supplies.
Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP/APAP/BPAP) devices now have updated coverage guidelines; upgrades considered case-by-case.

Connect with us …
Connecting Ottawa is available to support front-line workers in Ottawa to provide appropriate legal information and referrals to clients with communication barriers as a result of language or sensory disability. If you have a question or require a consultation, please complete our request for legal information/consultation form: https://connectingottawa.com/request-for-information-consultation/. Along with your completed request for legal information/consultation, please send any documents related to your client’s legal issue by email to info@connectingottawa.com. This will ensure the most efficient response to your request. As a reminder, we do not provide direct legal services to individuals.