Canada Battles Winter Storms Amidst New Immigration Rules

A massive winter storm has grounded nearly 600 flights across Canada today, creating a chaotic start to the first full business week of 2026.

Air Canada and WestJet have reported blizzard-force winds and freezing fog at major hubs like Toronto Pearson and Vancouver International, leading to relentless de-icing delays.

Corporate travel managers are currently scrambling to reroute employees as ground-handling crews work in extreme conditions to clear the backlog.

Amidst the weather chaos, the first week of the new year also marks the full implementation of Canada’s updated international student policies.

Starting today, student visa processing is being more heavily scrutinized under new financial requirements, although master’s and doctoral students remain exempt from certain provincial caps.

This shift toward a more selective immigration model is part of a broader strategy to manage the innovation economy while ensuring sustainable growth in the housing and infrastructure sectors.