HomeBusinessNew Express Entry Category for Transport Workers — Pilots, Aircraft Mechanics and Inspectors

February 18, 2026

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New Express Entry Category for Transport Workers — Pilots, Aircraft Mechanics and Inspectors

FEDERAL · AVIATION · TALENT PIPELINE

Date: Announced February 18, 2026

As part of its 2026 Express Entry categories, IRCC created a brand-new priority stream for transport-sector occupations — explicitly naming pilots, aircraft mechanics, and aircraft inspectors alongside other transport roles. This sits alongside a separate new trades category covering carpenters, plumbers, and machinists.

Why it matters for Peopled: this is the first time aviation-specific occupations have had their own dedicated federal fast-track, distinct from the general trades category. It’s a strong tailwind for our aviation workforce mandate (including the BCAC engagement) candidates in these roles now have a clearer, faster PR route to point clients and candidates toward.

Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2026/02/canada-prioritizes-top-talent-in-2026-immigration-express-entry-categories.html

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Sonny Wong 黃仕儒

Sonny is a business leader who has spent a career in multicultural marketing with an interest in immigrant communities, and inclusion, equity, and diversity (IED). As an award-winning multicultural marketer, he has worked with global blue-chip clients devising strategies to reach diasporic communities throughout North America. Recently, he founded, led, and produced the national grassroots anti-racism movement, #HealthNotHate. By combining his network in marketing, film and television, and his zest for entrepreneurship, he successfully took the program across Canada garnering millions of dollars of earned media and publicity for the campaign, all on 100% voluntary efforts by all participants. He has spoken at anti-racism conferences and webinars, and has parlayed his experience into an IED consulting practice.

He is a committed community steward with a strong record of engagement and leadership. He serves as a board director of BC Entertainment Hall of Fame, Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Foundation of BC, Cascade Public Media, and OMNI Television’s Pacific Advisory Board. Previously, he served on the boards of Capilano University, Chinese Canadian Museum, Chinatown Legacy Stewardship Group, among others. He was a founding member of the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival serving as its General Manager for over a decade.

Sonny is a published writer and thought leader having contributed to Adweek, Business in Vancouver, Huffington Post, Medium, and Strategy; he has spoken at many conferences and events. Sonny has been recognized as a Business in Vancouver 40 Under 40 recipient. He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from UBC. In his spare time, he is an avid road cyclist always trying to ride faster than he did the last time.

Amber Rana

Collaborative and results-driven attorney, Amber Rana, operates in both India and Canada. He is the co-owner and founder of Peopled, and the proprietor of Amrana LLP, a law firm in India, with over 11 years of experience in ensuring the legality of commercial transactions. Amber, a qualified advocate/lawyer from the prestigious ILS Law School in Pune, is recognized for his effective communication and executive skills. He has successfully built strong relationships with diverse clients, including those from indigenous and minority communities, government agencies, and businesses. Amber excels in managing large teams, executive stakeholders, and competing priorities to address complex issues and collaboratively create legal policies and programs.

As a member of the Indo-Canadian Business Chamber, Amber actively contributes to bridging the Indo-Canadian gap by assisting Indian businesses and clients in investing and relocating to Canada. His law firm’s initiative focuses on providing professional support through partnerships in Canada.

Amber is an expert in addressing crimes against women and is dedicated to promoting women’s rights. He conducts corporate workforce training on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) modules, with a specific emphasis on LGBTQIA rights for workforce inclusion. Additionally, he actively engages in corporate boardroom training on these issues and contributes pro bono work for NGOs.

The host of the talk show “Know Your Kanoon,” with over 100k weekly listeners, Amber raises legal awareness on public issues. He addresses legal queries from listeners, covering various aspects of law affecting daily lives, such as Civil, Criminal, Consumer, and Constitutional law. Business Standard magazine has featured him for his views on Amazon retail litigation.

Amber has been recognized by the Ministry of Law & Justice in India for his consultation and advisory work on the negotiation of international agreements and supervision of litigation. He has also received appreciation from the Election Commission of India for his contribution to implementing Diversity & Inclusion Policies in a national campaign. The initiative focuses on educating and encouraging voters from diverse cultural backgrounds to exercise their voting rights.

During his 7+ years at PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Amber worked in the Indirect Taxation team and served as a Tax (SME) Subject Matter Expert in the Risk Assurance Services team. His expertise includes thorough knowledge of the Manufacturing Industry and Service Contract Management. Amber played a pivotal role in developing interdepartmental and government liaison teams at PwC and received numerous awards for client appreciation from manufacturing and service industry clients.