CRS Reforms Are Coming. But Is IRCC Missing the Bigger Economic Picture?

This year, IRCC plans to make extensive changes to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which could impact how candidates are ranked within the Express Entry pool. Following public consultations in April and May 2026, IRCC has indicated that it intends to introduce CRS reforms this fall.

The department wants to place greater emphasis on factors associated with strong economic outcomes, particularly higher earnings after becoming a permanent resident.

On the surface, that makes sense. Canada should want immigrants who can find good jobs, support themselves, and contribute to the economy.

But after looking at studies conducted by IRCC and Statistics Canada, I think there’s a bigger question worth asking: Are we measuring the economic success of immigrants too narrowly?

What CRS Changes is IRCC Proposing?

The Comprehensive Ranking System, or CRS, is the points-based system used to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. IRCC conducts periodic Express Entry draws, and eligible candidates with CRS scores at or above the cut-off receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

IRCC’s proposed CRS reforms include:

• Additional points for Canadian work experience in high-wage occupations and qualifying job offers in these occupations.
• Additional CRS points for professional licences in regulated occupations.
• Changing how skilled trades qualifications are awarded points, including restricting certificate of qualification points to Red Seal-designated trades and recognizing apprenticeship experience.
• Removing or changing additional CRS points for Canadian education, potentially restricting them to graduate-level credentials.
• Reconsidering bonus French-language proficiency points, separate from the existing points for official-language ability.

Removing or changing points for spousal factors and having a sibling in Canada.

IRCC plans to retain the existing core CRS points for age, education, Canadian work experience, and first and second official-language proficiency.

At this stage, these are just proposals, and not all of these may be implemented. IRCC has also not clarified how many points will be awarded for each of these factors.

Express Entry Is Already Producing Strong Economic Outcomes

IRCC’s research confirms that immigrants selected through Express Entry generally perform well in the Canadian labour market.

One study found that, in 2021, Express Entry immigrants had median weekly wages of $1,201, compared with $980 for non-Express Entry economic immigrants and $972 for Canadian-born workers.

Canadian work experience was associated with particularly strong wage outcomes.

Express Entry immigrants with four years of Canadian experience had median weekly wages of $1,895, compared with $1,154 for those with four years of foreign experience.

Strong language proficiency and post-secondary education were also associated with better outcomes, particularly when combined with Canadian work experience.

But here’s the issue: Higher earnings are undoubtedly desirable, but they don’t necessarily capture the full economic value an immigrant brings to Canada.

And if IRCC is using these findings to guide changes to the CRS, it’s worth examining whether the research captures the broader outcomes Canada’s immigration system should be trying to achieve.

There’s also a broader question about whether an economic immigration program should be used to achieve social and community-building objectives. That’s a debate for another time.

So, shouldn’t IRCC evaluate the combined economic potential of families, instead of just looking at the principal applicant?

CRS Age Penalty Deserves Another Look

IRCC wants to attract experienced professionals working in high-wage occupations. Yet the current CRS heavily favours younger applicants, who may not have had enough time to build the experience needed for senior, high-paying roles.

Candidates without an accompanying spouse receive the maximum 110 age points between 20 and 29. After that, their points decline steadily. Candidates aged 45 and older receive no age points.

That means a 45-year-old starts with a 110-point disadvantage compared with a 29-year-old, even if they have comparable qualifications. Even significantly more work experience doesn’t help as experience points max out at 5 years.

Yes, younger immigrants generally have more working years ahead of them, but a C.D. Howe Institute report suggests that Canadians are increasingly working beyond traditional retirement ages. The average retirement age in 2025 was 65.4 years — a historic high.

But as more Canadians retire, the country will need experienced workers to step in and fill the gaps. Older applicants bring extensive professional experience, established careers, and skills that Canadian employers need.

IRCC plans to retain the existing age points. But since the goal of CRS reform is to better reflect immigrants’ economic contributions, the department should also examine whether the current age-point structure strikes the right balance between immediate economic contribution and potential lifetime contribution.

What Should IRCC Consider Before Finalizing CRS Reforms?

There’s merit in using research to improve the CRS. The findings on pre-admission earnings, job offers, and other factors provide useful evidence about which immigrants are likely to succeed economically.

But higher individual earnings are only one part of the picture.

Canada’s immigration system is also expected to address labour shortages, support families, and strengthen communities. And with Express Entry selection having changed significantly in recent years, we may not yet have enough long-term data to understand the full impact of those changes.

Before finalizing the reforms, IRCC should explain how it has weighed these different objectives and publish modelling showing how the proposed points changes would affect different groups of candidates.

After all, the CRS doesn’t just determine who is likely to earn more. It determines who gets the opportunity to build a future in Canada.

If IRCC is going to change how candidates are ranked, it needs to demonstrate that the new system will deliver better outcomes for Canada, not simply higher earnings for individual immigrants.