Welcome back to Canada Immigration News Podcast! Your one-stop shop for everything Canadian immigration, from policy updates to inspiring stories. Today, we've got a great mix of news covering family reunification, Express Entry changes, and exciting developments in some key provinces. Parents and Grandparents Program Reopens! First up, some fantastic news for families! The highly anticipated Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is set to reopen this month. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will begin issuing invitations to potential sponsors on May 21st, 2024. This year, IRCC plans to invite a significant number of potential sponsors – 35,700 – with the goal of receiving 20,500 complete applications. This represents a notable increase in invitations compared to previous years, reflecting Canada's commitment to family reunification. Who is eligible? If you submitted an interest-to-sponsor form in 2020, you might be in luck! IRCC will be randomly selecting individuals from that pool for this round of invitations. However, don't despair if you haven't submitted a form yet. There are still options for you! Your parents and grandparents can explore the Super Visa pathway, allowing them to visit Canada for extended periods with the possibility of extending their stay. Express Entry Update: Proof of Funds Requirements Moving on, we have some important information for Express Entry candidates. On May 3rd, 2024, IRCC updated the proof of funds requirements for 2024. These adjustments are based on the latest low-income cut-off figures and occur regularly. How does this affect you? If you're already in the Express Entry pool, you can easily update your settlement funds in your profile to meet the new requirements. The deadline to make these changes is May 27th, 2024, so be sure to act promptly! Who needs proof of funds? This requirement applies to the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). However, there are exceptions – candidates with valid job offers and work permits for Canada in these categories are exempt from providing proof of funds. Additionally, proof of funds is not required for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) within Express Entry. For more details on the new amounts and acceptable forms of proof of funds, be sure to visit the IRCC website or Canada Immigration News. Provincial News: Prince Edward Island & Newfoundland & Labrador Now, let's shift gears and explore some exciting developments in two key provinces! First up, we have Prince Edward Island (PEI). The province is seeking proposals from private sector companies to participate in a local modular home fabrication facility. This initiative aligns with their overall housing strategy and aims to increase housing supply and support community development. Interested in this opportunity? Proposals can be submitted to Finance PEI by June 6th, 2024. Next, we head to Newfoundland and Labrador. The province recently announced upgrades to their Immigration Accelerator portal. The improved system will streamline services and enhance the application process. There was a brief window where new applications for the Provincial Nominee Program and Job Vacancy Assessment system were paused. However, the updated system is now accepting applications again as of May 8th, 2024. Important note: Existing applicants within the previous systems won't be affected by these changes. Stay Informed and Engaged! That wraps up our episode today! Remember, staying informed is crucial throughout your Canadian immigration journey. Here are some tips: - Subscribe to our podcast for regular updates and insights. - Follow us on social media for the latest news and resources. - Visit the official IRCC website or Canada Immigration News for program details and application processes. - Consider consulting with an immigration lawyer or an RCIC for personalized guidance. With the right knowledge and resources on yo