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The Canada Strong Fund — Invest Like the Government

  Published on MoneySavings.ca | Personal Finance | May 2026 Imagine being able to put your savings into the same fund the federal government is betting $25 billion on. For the first time in Canadian history, that's exactly what Ottawa is offering you — a front-row seat (and a direct stake) in the country's biggest nation-building push in generations. On April 28, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada's first national sovereign wealth fund — the Canada Strong Fund. It's a bold, headline-grabbing idea: let everyday Canadians invest directly alongside the government in the ports, pipelines, mines, and infrastructure projects shaping our economic future. But before you start redirecting your TFSA contributions, let's break down exactly what this fund is, what it promises, what it costs — and whether it might belong in your financial plan. What Is the Canada Strong Fund? A sovereign wealth fund is a state-owned investment vehicle. Countries like Norw...
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Ontario Suspends Skilled Trades Immigration Stream Amid Fraud Concerns

Ontario has abruptly suspended its fast-track immigration program for skilled trades workers, leaving hundreds of applicants uncertain about their future. The program, part of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), allowed skilled tradespeople with Ontario work experience to gain permanent residency more quickly. It was widely seen as a vital tool to address labour shortages in construction, manufacturing, and other trades.

The suspension, announced in mid-November 2025, came after a program review uncovered systemic misrepresentation and fraud risks. Provincial officials stated that the structure of the stream made it vulnerable to abuse, undermining its integrity and effectiveness. As a result, all pending applications have been returned with refunded fees, effectively cancelling the pathway for those who had already invested time and resources into the process.

For many workers, the decision has been devastating. Skilled tradespeople who had built careers in Ontario now face uncertainty about their residency status. Some have staged protests in Toronto, arguing that the cancellation unfairly punishes legitimate applicants who followed the rules.

The program had previously allowed Ontario to nominate up to 1,500 federal Express Entry candidates annually, offering a streamlined route for those with at least one year of Ontario work experience in eligible trades. Its suspension raises concerns about how the province will meet ongoing labour demands in industries already struggling to find qualified workers.

While officials emphasize that the move was necessary to protect the integrity of the immigration system, critics warn that Ontario risks losing valuable talent at a time when skilled trades are in high demand. The province has not yet announced whether a revised program will replace the suspended stream.

In short: Ontario’s decision to cancel its skilled trades fast-track immigration stream has left workers in limbo, highlighting the tension between maintaining program integrity and addressing urgent labour shortages.

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