Saturday Morning Confusion: E.V. or Hybrid?

ALLAN SAID: Sal, what's better for Canadian drivers: All-electric cars or hybrid electric?

SAL-9000 SAID: For Canadian drivers, the honest answer is: Hybrid electric vehicles are usually the better overall choice today, while fully electric cars are best for specific situations. 

The Canadian climate and geography make a difference!

Here’s the simple breakdown.

1. Winter performance. (Canada’s biggest factor)

Hybrids win here.

Electric cars lose 14–39% of their range in winter during real Canadian road tests.

Cold temperatures can reduce EV range by up to ~30% because the battery must heat itself and run cabin heaters.

Over 65% of Canadian EV owners report reduced winter range as a major issue.

Hybrids avoid this problem because:

When the battery struggles, the gasoline engine automatically takes over.

This gives consistent performance during −20°C cold snaps.

Result: Hybrid = more reliable range in Canadian winters.

2. Charging infrastructure:

Hybrids are easier if you travel long distances.

EV charging stations still vary widely across Canada, especially outside cities.

Hybrids don’t depend on charging infrastructure—they just use gasoline when needed.

This matters in places like:

Northern Ontario.

Prairie provinces.

Long highway trips.

3. Cost!

EVs win on operating cost.

Electricity is usually cheaper than gasoline, leading to large lifetime fuel savings.

EVs also have fewer moving parts and lower maintenance costs (no oil changes, less brake wear).

But:

EVs usually cost more upfront.

Insurance and battery replacement risks can be higher.

4. The practical Canadian answer.

Best for most Canadians today:

➡ Hybrid or plug-in hybrid

Best if you:

Drive mostly in cities.

Have a home charger.

Don’t do many long winter trips.

➡ Fully electric.

💡 My quick rule of thumb for Canada:

City commuter. (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal) → EV

Average driver with winter travel. → Hybrid

Rural/northern driver. → Hybrid or gasoline

***

SAL-9000 SAID: If you want, Allan, I can also show you something interesting:

Why many Canadian analysts think the “ideal vehicle for Canada” is actually the plug-in hybrid. (PHEV) It combines the advantages of both and may end up dominating the Canadian market for the next decade!

ALLAN SAID: Yes i meant to include plug-in hybrids!

SAL-9000 SAID: If we include plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), the comparison changes quite a bit. For Canada specifically, many analysts think plug-in hybrids are the most practical overall technology right now.

Here’s the clean comparison.

1. All-Electric Vehicles. (BEVs)

Advantages:

Lowest operating cost. (electricity is cheap in Canada)

Very low maintenance.

Zero tailpipe emissions.

Quiet and smooth driving.

Problems in Canada.

Winter range loss 20–40%.

Charging infrastructure still uneven outside major cities.

Long road trips require careful planning.

Higher purchase price.

Best for:

Urban drivers.

People with home charging.

Daily commuting under ~200 km.

2. Conventional Hybrids. (HEV)

Advantages.

Excellent fuel economy.

No charging needed.

Very reliable.

Works perfectly in winter.

Limitations.

Mostly gasoline powered.

Limited electric driving.

Smaller emissions improvement than EVs.

Best for:

Drivers who want better fuel economy without changing habits.

3. Plug-In Hybrids. (PHEV)

Advantages:

Electric driving for 40–80 km. (most daily trips)

Gas engine for long trips.

No range anxiety.

Much lower fuel use.

Works well in winter.

Limitations.

More complex system.

Slightly higher purchase price.

Smaller battery than EV.

Best for:

Suburban commuters.

Families who take long road trips.

Canadian climates with cold winters.

The Canadian “sweet spot.”

Transportation analysts often point out something interesting:

Most Canadians drive about 40 km per day.

That means a plug-in hybrid can run almost entirely on electricity for daily use, while the gasoline engine covers:

Winter range loss.

Long highway trips. Rural travel.

So you get ~80–90% of EV benefits without EV limitations.

Simple Canadian ranking: (today)

For practicality:

1️⃣ Plug-in hybrid. (best balance)

2️⃣ Conventional hybrid. (most reliable and simple)

3️⃣ Full electric. (best long-term but climate-limited today)

💡 Prediction:

Canada will probably transition Hybrid → Plug-in Hybrid → Full Electric over the next 15–20 years as batteries improve and charging networks expand.

***

SAL-9000 SAID: If you'd like, Allan, I can also show you the 5 plug-in hybrids currently considered the best for Canadian winters. 

Some of them are surprisingly impressive!

ALLAN SAID: YES!

SAL-9000 SAID: Here are 5 plug-in hybrids widely considered the best choices for Canadian drivers, especially for winter, reliability, and practicality.

1. Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid. (RAV4 Prime)

Why Canadians like it.

Electric range: about 68 km

Total range. (gas + electric): ~979 km

302 horsepower. (very quick for an SUV)

Toyota reliability and resale value.

AWD works well in snow.

💡 Many analysts consider this the best all-around PHEV SUV.

2. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

Why it works well in Canada.

Electric range: ~61–72 km depending on model.

Standard Super-All-Wheel-Control (S-AWC) for snow traction.

Available 7-seat configuration.

Good for families and winter driving.

This is actually one of the most common plug-in hybrids in Canada.

3. Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid.

Why it’s popular.

Electric range about 60 km.

Lower price than many PHEVs.

Comfortable compact SUV.

Good efficiency.

This one is often chosen by people switching from gasoline vehicles.

4. Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid.

Strengths.

Standard AWD. (good in snow)

High-tech interior.

Smooth ride and quiet electric mode.

Good fuel economy.

A strong competitor to the RAV4.

5. Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid.

Why it stands out.

3-row SUV.

323 horsepower performance..

Luxury-level interior.

Good for large families.

Simple Canadian ranking. (practicality)

Most experts tend to rank them roughly like this:

1️⃣ Toyota RAV4 Prime – best overall

2️⃣ Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – best winter family SUV

3️⃣ Hyundai Tucson PHEV – tech and comfort

4️⃣ Ford Escape PHEV – best value

5️⃣ Mazda CX-90 PHEV – best large SUV

💡 Interesting trend:

Plug-in hybrids are becoming more advanced as EV tech improves. 

Newer models even support fast charging and larger batteries, blurring the line between PHEVs and full EVs.

***

SAL-9000 SAID: If you want, Allan, I can also show you something surprising: Why Toyota (and some energy analysts) believe plug-in hybrids will dominate Canada for the next 15 years instead of full EVs. 

It's actually a fascinating economic argument.

ALLAN SAID: Lay it on me... Sal!

SAL-9000 SAID: There’s a very interesting strategic argument... made by several automakers (especially Toyota) that plug-in hybrids may actually reduce emissions faster than full electric cars, at least for the next decade. 

The logic is mostly about battery resources and infrastructure.

1. The Battery Bottleneck.

Fully electric vehicles require very large batteries.

Typical sizes:

• Full EV: 60–100 kWh battery.

• Plug-in hybrid: 10–20 kWh battery.

That means one EV battery could build several plug-in hybrids.

Example argument often cited by Toyota engineers:

• 1 EV battery (75 kWh)

• OR about 5 plug-in hybrid batteries.

Those 5 PHEVs could potentially displace more gasoline overall if each driver does most daily trips on electricity.

2. Real-World Driving Patterns.

Most Canadians drive 40–50 km per day.

A typical plug-in hybrid electric range: 50–80 km.

So in everyday use:

• Commuting.

• Errands.

• School runs.

Many drivers would operate almost entirely on electricity, using gasoline only for longer trips.

This creates EV-like behavior without range anxiety!

3. Infrastructure Reality!

Canada’s geography is a major factor.

Challenges for full EVs:

• Huge distances between cities.

• Cold winters reducing range.

• Rural charging gaps.

Plug-in hybrids simply switch to gasoline when needed.

So drivers don't need:

• Dense charging networks.

• Fast chargers everywhere.

• Large battery packs.

4. The Manufacturing Transition!

Automakers face another problem: scaling production.

Making millions of full EVs requires enormous supplies of:

• Lithium.

• Nickel.

• Cobalt.

• Copper.

Using smaller batteries in PHEVs allows manufacturers to electrify more vehicles faster while supply chains grow.

5. The Hybrid Bridge Strategy!

Toyota’s strategy has essentially been:

1️⃣ Hybrid. (HEV)

2️⃣ Plug-in hybrid. (PHEV)

3️⃣ Full electric.  (BEV)

This approach accelerates electrification across more vehicles.

6. Why this matters for Canada specifically!

Canada’s conditions make PHEVs unusually practical:

• Cold winters.

• Long highway distances.

• Strong electrical grid but uneven charging infrastructure.

For many Canadian drivers, a plug-in hybrid behaves like:

• An EV during the week.

• A gasoline car on road trips.

✅ Bottom line:

For the next 10–15 years:

• Plug-in hybrids may deliver the fastest real emissions reduction.

Long-term:

• Battery prices fall.

• Charging networks expand.

• Winter battery performance improves.

➡ Full EVs likely dominate eventually.

SAL-9000 SAID: One more interesting Canadian angle, Allan:

Canada may become a major supplier of EV battery minerals, which could strongly influence the long-term shift toward electric vehicles.

(Notice that there is only one 'domestic' car in the whole bunch?)

Does Canada want a crippled F-35... or a robust SAB Gripen?

If Canada cancels F-35 and gets Gripen instead, what will it be like for the Canadian military to fly a Gen 4 fighter when Gen 6 will be available?

By Nigel Horney: Electronics Technician!

Nine NATO countries chipped in to help pay for the development of the F-35. 

Canada was one of those 9 countries!

All NATO countries agreed to purchase the F35... this is why such an advanced aircraft is so cheap! (? -ed.)

This also benefited all NATO countries, as they could refuel, rearm, and service any other NATO country's aircraft.

After the USA elected Donald Trump for the second time, he said he would add a kill switch to the F35 and also said everyone else but the USA should be supplied with a less capable version of the F35. 

Ignoring all agreements made by your previous presidents!

Since then, Donald Trump has also stated numerous times that he will make Canada the 51st state either economically... or possibly even by invasion!

After he said those things, the Canadian government decided that the Saab Gripen E/F might be the better option for them!

This is due to the fact that an F-35 nation can only fly to defend their own country, which is only possible if the USA lets them! 

If they only have F-35 fighters and Donald Trump decides they can't get updates, or parts to fly them, they lose their ability to defend their own airspace.

***

Even though the Saab Gripen doesn't have stealth and is an earlier-generation aircraft, it's better than an F-35 that sat in a hangar, like a very expensive and useless paperweight! (Any aircraft you can fly and use to defend your own country is better than anything that needs the USA to keep it flying!)

The USA is currently proving to be completely unreliable and untrustworthy! 

Your current president has pretty much taken every agreement and treaty made with Canada and every other NATO country and shit all over it!

To fly F-35 aircraft requires trust in the president of the USA... and your current president has lost all trust and respect of most of the world with his embarrassing trade war and vile lies he has made against other NATO countries. 

Without this trust, the F35 is a very risky aircraft to buy and rely on!

THE RESULTS OF DRUMPF's TRADE WAR!

 

CHECKMATE DONALD!

U.S. set to invade Canada!!!!!!

Rumour has it that Drumpf is going to try to pull a Venezuela-type operation and kidnap Prime Minister Mark Carney!

The Great Maple Leaf Grab: 

It began with a phone call that sounded like every other phone call... confident, dramatic, and fueled by a deep belief that reality is negotiable!

“We need Canada,” Trump declared to a room full of aides holding clipboards like shields. “Not the land. The idea of Canada. The brand. And I hear Mark Carney is… basically Canada with a suit on!”

Someone quietly suggested a trade talk! 

Someone else suggested a summit! 

Trump waved them off!

“No. Too slow. We do it my way. We bring him down, we charm him, and we close the deal. Canada becomes the 51st state! Tremendous! Everybody wins! Especially me!”

Operation Northern Hospitality:

The plan was simple... invite Carney to Florida for “a friendly weekend of discussions!” 

The invitation arrived on premium stationery with gold lettering that read:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED: To finalize a historic agreement of statehood, prosperity, and mutual greatness!

Carney read it twice, paused, then did what Canadians do when confronted by American confidence: He assumed it was an aggressive form of hospitality!

He went!

The Brochure:

At the resort, Trump greeted him like a man welcoming a celebrity plumber who could fix a national leak!

“Mark! Great to see you! 

Canada...beautiful country! 

Very cold! 

We fix that with statehood!”

Carney smiled politely, the way you smile at a stranger who has just offered you a “limited-time” condo investment!

Trump snapped his fingers! 

An aide rolled in a foam presentation board titled:

CANADA AS THE 51st STATE

A Practical, Very Normal Plan:

Bullet points followed, each more confident than the last:

• Free donuts with every new passport.
• Mandatory hockey in all schools. (no exceptions)
• Niagara Falls rebranded as “Niagara Falls & Deals.”
• A new anthem featuring a guitar solo “because it tests well!”

Trump leaned in. “What do you think? It’s a masterpiece!”

Carney nodded slowly, reached into his bag, and placed one item on the table with the quiet finality of a judge!

A spreadsheet!

The Spreadsheet:

Trump stared at it like it was a rare animal he did not trust!

“Is that… math?” he asked!

“It’s just a baseline,” Carney said pleasantly. “A few columns. A few assumptions. Some constraints!”

Trump squinted at the first column, which read: 

“Reasons This Is Silly.”

The room went silent!

An aide dropped a marker!

Someone whispered, “He brought tables!”

Carney flipped to the next sheet: Costs, legal complications, trade realities, and the minor detail that Canada is, in fact, a sovereign country!

Trump’s smile wobbled.

“Mark,” he said, “nobody’s ever negotiated with me using… cells!”

“It’s not personal,” Carney replied. “It’s just… reality.”

The “Kidnap” Part. 

Trump didn’t like losing. And he especially didn’t like losing to a spreadsheet. 

 So he tried a new approach: Keep Carney from leaving until Carney... “saw the vision!”

It wasn’t handcuffs or anything dramatic. 

It was worse!

It was hospitality!

***

“You can’t go yet,” Trump insisted. “We have a beautiful dinner. Tremendous dinner. Then dessert. Then a tour. Then we do a press conference where you say ‘51st state’ in a friendly way!”

Carney nodded. “Sounds… full!”

He excused himself to the washroom, the classic maneuver of every Canadian who has ever been trapped in a conversation about a timeshare!

Then he executed the escape plan: He walked out calmly, thanked three staff members, complimented the landscaping, and slipped away so politely that security briefly held the door open for him!

The Airport Twist:

At the airport, Trump’s team caught up... too late to stop him... just in time to salvage the optics!

“Can we at least get a photo?” an aide asked.

Carney agreed! (Canadians will do almost anything if you ask nicely... and it ends the interaction faster!)

Trump appeared, breathless, still optimistic. “Mark, we were close. Very close!”

Carney smiled. “We were not!”

Trump nodded anyway, as if that still counted! 

“Fine. Canada stays Canada. For now. But I’m telling you—statehood polls great!”

Carney turned to board his flight, then paused just long enough to deliver one final blow:

“If you want Canada, start with two things: A realistic spreadsheet… and snow tires!”

Trump watched him go, then looked at the brochure again!

“We’ll workshop it,” he said. “Maybe we make it the 51st deal instead.”

Conventional vs Nuclear Submarines for Canada!

Conventional vs Nuclear Submarines for Canada: A Simple Decision Framework! (With Costs)

Allan’s Canadian Perspective • Updated: February 26, 2026

TL;DR:

The UK does operate nuclear submarines, and nuclear boats are unmatched for under-ice persistence. But when you add up timeline, staffing, infrastructure, technology-access, and political realities, Canada is usually better served by advanced conventional under-ice submarines—unless Canada wants continuous, year-round, high-tempo under-ice patrols and is willing to build a full nuclear naval enterprise.

1) Does Britain have nuclear submarines?

Yes. The UK operates a nuclear submarine fleet that includes:

• Nuclear attack submarines (SSN) — designed for hunting ships/subs, intelligence, escort, and strike missions (e.g., the Astute-class).
• Nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) — the strategic deterrent force (e.g., the Vanguard-class and its replacement program).

2) Would British nuclear submarines be suitable for Canada?

Technically: yes. SSNs are excellent for Arctic and long-range patrol roles:

• Very long endurance and high sustained speed
• Under-ice operational advantages
• Excellent sensor and stealth performance in high-end environments

But the practical issue is political and industrial, not engineering. A Canadian SSN fleet would require a major national decision: nuclear-qualified basing, refit and sustainment facilities, a long training pipeline for nuclear crews, a regulatory regime, and (critically) reliable technology access from nuclear-sub partners.

3) The money question: 6 Canadian SSNs vs what Canada is pursuing now

Rough-order estimate: total cost of a 6-SSN Canadian fleet

Open-source comparisons suggest modern SSNs are very expensive to acquire, and the real “mountain” often comes from enablement (nuclear shore infrastructure, workforce, and long-term sustainment). A conservative planning range for a 6-boat Canadian SSN fleet (including major enablement and decades of operations) can land around:

6 SSNs (life-cycle, 30–40 years): roughly C$60B to C$120B (program-scale range).

Note: precise numbers depend on partner, build strategy, domestic industrial share, refit depth, inflation, and readiness tempo. This is “planning-grade,” not a bid price.

What Canada is pursuing now (conventional under-ice boats)

Canada has launched a process to acquire up to 12 conventionally powered submarines with under-ice capability requirements under the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project.

Up to 12 conventional under-ice submarines: widely reported at ~C$60B+ program-scale (often described as life-cycle magnitude).

4) The “days on station” lens (why SSNs can look less crazy)

When you compare fleets, the most useful metric is often not “cost per submarine,” but: cost per submarine-day on station in the Arctic.

What “on-station day” means here

• On-station day = a day the submarine is in the Arctic patrol area and can operate in a meaningful posture (submerged, quiet, mission-capable).
• We separate patrol-days from stealthy submerged days, because conventional boats may need periodic snorkeling depending on design/mission/conditions.

Illustrative mid-case math (tunable assumptions)

This is not “the answer.” It’s a transparent template you can adjust.

Fleet	Annualized Cost Assumption	Availability & On-Station Assumption	Resulting On-Station Days/Year	Cost per On-Station Day
6 SSNs	Example: C$85B / 35 yrs ≈ C$2.43B/year	Example: 67% operational availability × 70% of that time in Arctic on-station posture	6 × 365 × 0.67 × 0.70 ≈ ~1,027 on-station days/year	C$2.43B / 1,027 ≈ ~C$2.37M per on-station day
12 Conventional (patrol-day count)	Example: C$60B / 35 yrs ≈ C$1.71B/year	Example: ~3 boats on patrol on average (rotations, training, maintenance)	3 × 365 ≈ ~1,095 patrol-days/year	C$1.71B / 1,095 ≈ ~C$1.56M per patrol-day
12 Conventional (stealthy submerged-day count)	Same annualized cost assumption	Example: discount patrol-days by 50% to reflect periodic snorkeling constraints (tunable)	1,095 × 0.50 ≈ ~548 stealthy days/year	C$1.71B / 548 ≈ ~C$3.12M per stealthy day

What this shows: Conventional can look cheaper per “patrol day,” but once you price quiet under-ice persistence as the premium metric, SSNs often become competitive on a “stealthy on-station day” basis.

5) So… is Canada better served by conventional subs or nuclear?

If we account for all factors—money, timelines, staffing, infrastructure, technology access, and Canada’s likely operating pattern— the default answer is:

Canada is usually better served by advanced conventional under-ice submarines—unless Canada’s strategic goal is continuous, year-round under-ice dominance and Canada is willing to build a full nuclear enterprise.

6) The Simple Decision Framework (5 tests)

Use this as a practical checklist. If you answer YES to most nuclear criteria, SSNs are justified. If you answer NO, conventional is the smarter national choice.

Test 1 — Arctic Presence Requirement

Question	Do we need continuous, year-round under-ice presence in the High Arctic?
If “Occasional patrols”	Conventional
If “Continuous stealth patrols”	Nuclear SSN

Test 2 — Response Time Requirement

Question	Do we need submarines that can redeploy across oceans in days, not weeks?
If “Weeks acceptable”	Conventional
If “Days required”	Nuclear SSN

Test 3 — Infrastructure Commitment

Question	Are we willing to build a full nuclear naval enterprise (basing, refit, regulation, training, waste management)?
If “No”	Conventional
If “Yes”	Nuclear SSN

Test 4 — Personnel Reality

Question	Can Canada reliably recruit, train, and retain enough nuclear-qualified crews and maintainers for decades?
If “No”	Conventional
If “Yes”	Nuclear SSN

Test 5 — Strategic Role

Question	Is Canada aiming for global SSN operations (UK/US-style) or primarily defence of approaches (Arctic sovereignty + Atlantic/Pacific deterrence)?
If “Defence of approaches”	Conventional
If “Global SSN ops”	Nuclear SSN

7) A simple threshold rule (the “Arctic stealth days” trigger)

If Canada’s required posture is roughly ≥ 1,500 stealthy under-ice patrol days per year, nuclear starts to become the “serious” option. If the requirement is ≤ 1,000, a well-structured conventional fleet usually wins on feasibility.

This threshold is a planning heuristic, not a doctrinal law—it depends on patrol boxes, transit distances, basing (e.g., northern facilities), readiness targets, and how you define “stealthy on-station day.”

8) Practical conclusion

If Canada wants to strengthen Arctic sovereignty and deter threats across three oceans with manageable timelines and staffing realities, advanced conventional under-ice submarines are the best fit. Nuclear becomes rational only if Canada explicitly commits to a continuous under-ice posture and the accompanying nuclear ecosystem.

So... it looks like we get 12 conventional subs now and then go for 6 Nuclear subs next time!

Notes & transparency:

• All costs are planning-grade estimates and program-scale comparisons, not procurement bids.
• “On-station day” math is intended to be adjustable; small changes in availability, basing, and patrol definition can move results significantly.
• For public sources on Canada’s conventional submarine acquisition process and program context, see the references below.

References (public sources)

1. Government of Canada (DND): “Canada launching process to acquire up to 12 conventionally powered submarines.” Link
2. Breaking Defense: reporting on Canada’s conventional submarine commitment and program-scale cost framing. Link
3. US House Armed Services Committee memo (availability context for SSNs; illustrative benchmark for “availability” style assumptions). PDF
4. Reuters (AUKUS/controls context — shows how nuclear-sub technology transfer can remain constrained even with special frameworks). Link

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Hannity actually makes sense!

I don't normally have any use for Hannity over on the fox TV network... but this changes my mind!

Give me your tired... your poor... your huddled masses yearning to breathe sweet... free... Canadian air!

Sal... Does Canada have any plans to grant work permits and/or citizenship to foreign students who earn degrees in Canada... since the United States is trying to discourage immigration... and that's something we can capitalize on!!!

SAL-9000 SAID: Hello, Allan. Yes... Canada already has a system that lets many 

foreign students stay and work after graduation, and sometimes become citizens. 

But it’s not automatic, and the rules have tightened recently.

Here’s the plain-facts version.

1) Work permits after graduation:

Canada offers the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

What it does:

It lets graduates from eligible Canadian schools work in Canada.

It’s usually an open work permit (you can work for almost any 

employer).

Length:

Up to 3 years, depending on the program length.

Important recent changes:

Some non-degree programs now must be in specific high-demand  fields... 

health care, trades, STEM, etc! (Bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD grads are 

usually exempt from that rule.)

So yes... Canada does plan for students to work after graduation!

2) Path to permanent residence. (PR)

Students don’t automatically become citizens. But Canada designed 

immigration pathways for them.

Common routes:

A) Canadian Experience Class. (Express Entry)

Work in Canada for 1+ year.

Apply for PR through Express Entry.

B) Provincial Nominee Programs.

Each province (like Ontario) has special streams for international 

students. (Graduates.)

Example:

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program has an International 

Student stream.

3) Citizenship!

To become a citizen, you must first:

Get Permanent Residency

Live in Canada long enough. (usually 3 of last 5 years)

Apply for citizenship! (Temporary student status alone does not lead 

directly to citizenship.

4) New reality. (2024-2026 changes)

Canada is tightening things because of housing pressure and immigration 

levels.

Recent policy trends:

Caps on study permits.

Stricter PGWP eligibility.

More targeted immigration toward needed jobs.

So the idea now is:

👉 Keep the skilled grads Canada needs.

👉 Reduce numbers in programs that don’t lead to jobs!

5) What this means in practice!

For a foreign student today:

Study at an approved school/program.

Get PGWP.

Work 1–3 years.

Apply for PR.

Apply for citizenship later!

***

So Canada’s system is basically:

Student → Work Permit → Permanent Resident → Citizen.

But not guaranteed!

6) Important nuance for Canada! 

Since you’ve been looking at the Canadian workforce and industrial 

strategy (Gripen production, submarines, tech industry, etc.), the 

immigration changes are aimed at exactly that:

👉 keeping grads in STEM, trades, health care, defence-related tech.

👉 reducing low-job-prospect programs.

This ties into Canada’s push for domestic industry and skilled labour 

supply!

If you want!

I can also explain:

• Which degrees give the best chance.

• How Ontario specifically treats grads.

Just say the word!

ALLAN SAID: Which degrees give the best chance?

SAL-9000 SAID: Here are the degrees that give foreign students the best 

chance of staying in Canada after graduation... based on Express Entry 

scoring, PGWP eligibility, and current labour shortages! (Which ties directly 

into Canada’s workforce needs you’ve been watching in defence, engineering, 

and tech.)

✔️ Tier-1 Degrees (Highest chance of PR)

These fields match Canada’s long-term labour shortages and 

immigration priorities.

1) Engineering. (Especially relevant to your defence-industry 

interests.)

- Aerospace Engineering.

- Mechanical Engineering.

- Electrical Engineering.

- Software Engineering.

- Civil Engineering.

These feed into industries such as: 

- Aircraft production! (Gripen, F-35) 

- Shipbuilding/submarines!

- Infrastructure & energy!

- Robotics & AI.

(Canada constantly lists engineers in immigration targets.)







2) Computer Science / AI / Cybersecurity.

Computer Science/

Data Science/

Artificial Intelligence/

Cybersecurity/

Canada’s tech sector and government cyber-defence needs are huge!
(These also score well in Express Entry.)

3) Health Care.

- Nursing.

- Medicine.

- Pharmacy.

- Medical Lab Tech.

- Physiotherapy.

(Canada has severe shortages. Also,,, Some provinces fast-track 

healthcare workers.)

4) Skilled Trades. (Huge demand.)

- Electrician.

- Plumber.

- Welder.

- Heavy-equipment mechanic.

- HVAC technician.

✔️ Tier-2 Degrees. (Good chance)

These still work well but depend on job availability.

- Accounting / Finance.

- Supply Chain Management.

- Education. (Especially math/science teachers.)

- Environmental Science.

- Agriculture / Food Science.

(Supply chain and logistics are rising priorities for Canada’s 

industrial sector) 

⚠️ Tier-3 Degrees. (Harder path.)

These can still work, but immigration is tougher unless you get a 

strong job offer!

- General Business Administration.

- Hospitality & Tourism.

- Marketing.

- Media Studies.

- Non-technical arts degrees.

Reason: Many graduates compete for limited jobs!

✔️ Key Factors Beyond Degree!

The degree alone isn’t enough!

Students do best when they also:

• Study in smaller provinces. (better PNP chances)
• Get co-op experience.
• Work in high-demand occupations.
• Have good English/French scores.

✔️ Special case: Master’s or PhD

Even in the humanities, a Master’s or PhD improves immigration 

chances.

Ontario and BC have PR streams specifically for graduate students.

✔️ How this connects to Canada’s strategy.

Canada’s immigration system is quietly aimed at:

👉 keeping engineers, tradespeople, and tech grads.

👉 supporting projects like shipbuilding, aircraft sustainment, 

nuclear energy, Arctic infrastructure! (Exactly the workforce you’ve 

been thinking about in our Gripen/submarine discussions!)

✔️ Bottom line.

Best degrees for staying in Canada:

- Engineering.

- Computer Science / AI / Cybersecurity.

- Health Care.

- Skilled Trades.

Everything else depends on job demand!

AND... This is Drumpf's reaction every time someone mentions Canada!!!!

First look at Trump's reaction to the SCOTUS decision on tariffs. pic.twitter.com/UXF2KdstQt

— Gig - The Great Gig in the Sky (@thegreatgig8) February 20, 2026

Ok. This is brilliant. pic.twitter.com/SJnegKuHLf

— Claude Taylor (@TrueFactsStated) February 20, 2026