Canada is adapting its immigration policies in response to labor shortages and the economic shifts following the pandemic. The government, through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), has outlined a plan to decrease the proportion of temporary residents from 6.5% to 5% of the total population by 2026. These changes include reforming the International Student Program, tightening the criteria for temporary foreign workers, and enhancing labor market impact assessments to prevent fraud, aiming to better align immigration with Canada’s evolving economic needs.
Minister of Immigration, Marc Miller, recently unveiled further steps to control the entry of temporary residents while maintaining the integrity of Canada’s immigration system. From 2025, the number of study permits for international students will be reduced by 10%, with the aim to stabilize these numbers by the following year. Adjustments are also on the horizon for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program to ensure it better matches the labor market demands. Moreover, starting this year, work permit eligibility will be narrowed for spouses of master’s degree students and certain foreign workers, targeting sectors experiencing labor shortages.
With the global increase in displacement, Canada is also refining its asylum system to manage a growing number of claims effectively while upholding the system’s fairness. Initiatives include implementing targeted visa requirements for Mexican nationals and improving visa decision-making processes to reduce fraud. These measures are part of Canada’s commitment to a well-managed and sustainable immigration system, aiming to protect its integrity while setting newcomers up for success. These efforts reflect a broader commitment to adaptively manage immigration in a way that supports Canada’s economic and social fabric.
Read more about this initiative on canada.ca.
David H. Davis is the founder and owner of Davis Immigration Law Office. He and his team can be reached by email at: david@daviddavislaw.com on the web at www.daviddavislaw.com or by phone at 204-956-2336 extension 208. David has over 33 years of legal experience in Canadian immigration legal matters.