The Canadian government has unveiled a series of measures aimed at managing the country’s temporary residency system and ensuring the immigration process remains aligned with the changing needs of the economy. The announcement, led by the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, reflects Canada’s evolving approach to labor market demands, as well as its commitment to maintaining the integrity of its immigration programs.
The government’s action plan includes significant reductions in the number of temporary residents over the coming years, with a target to lower their share of the population from 6.5% to 5% by 2026. This shift is driven by concerns over the softening labor market and a need to better support those already in Canada. The move comes after Canada welcomed a large number of temporary residents to fill urgent labor shortages during the pandemic recovery, but with an improving economy, new priorities have emerged.
Key Changes to Immigration Programs
Among the most impactful reforms is a planned reduction in the issuance of international student permits. For 2025, the number of study permits issued will be cut by 10% from the 2024 target of 485,000, bringing the new cap to 437,000. The government will stabilize this cap for 2026, ensuring that immigration aligns with Canada’s capacity to support newcomers adequately.
The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP) will also be updated, with stricter eligibility requirements that reflect labor market needs. Applicants will soon need to demonstrate a minimum level of language proficiency, with specific benchmarks set for university and college graduates. Additionally, spouses of master’s degree students and foreign workers will face new limitations on work permit eligibility, depending on the length and type of study program or employment sector.
These measures are designed to prioritize Canadian workers, according to the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages, who emphasized that “more Canadians are now qualified to fill open positions.”
Addressing Asylum and Visa Integrity
Canada is also addressing the rising number of asylum claims influenced by increasing global displacement. In response, the government is introducing a partial visa requirement for Mexican nationals and enhancing measures to detect fraud within the asylum and visa systems. These changes are part of broader efforts to maintain the fairness and integrity of Canada’s immigration framework.
The government will also explore further strategies to strengthen visa integrity, focusing on fraud detection and ensuring that only genuine visitors gain entry to the country.
Supporting Canada’s Immigration Future
The federal government’s latest measures reflect its commitment to responsibly managing immigration while balancing the country’s economic and humanitarian needs. Minister Miller emphasized the importance of preserving the integrity of Canada’s immigration system and setting up newcomers for success, noting, “Not everyone who wants to come to Canada will be able to, and not everyone who wants to stay will be able to.”
The initiatives are part of the broader Immigration Levels Plan for 2025–2027, set to be released by November 2024. They reflect Canada’s continued efforts to balance its economic recovery, labor market needs, and humanitarian responsibilities.
Quick Facts:
- Temporary residents are set to decrease from 6.5% to 5% of Canada’s population by 2026.
- 2025 will see a reduction in study permits issued to 437,000, with the number stabilized for 2026.
- Changes to the PGWP Program will require applicants to demonstrate language proficiency.
- Later this year, new limitations on work permit eligibility for spouses of master’s students and foreign workers in specific sectors will be introduced.
- Budget 2024 includes $743.5 million over five years to support the stability and integrity of the asylum system.
Further details about the measures will be available on the government’s website in the near future.
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