Canada’s immigration minister signals major PR changes in the upcoming Immigration Levels Plan. Particularly, Miller stated that he was looking at the number of options to address permanent immigration in Canada and that any forthcoming changes to immigration levels would be ‘prominent’ and not simply ‘cosmetic’. When further asked to elaborate on what ‘major’ changes could entail, the Minister responded, ‘ all alternatives are on the table’.
Minister Miller also stated that in the forthcoming Immigration Levels Plan, the government will consider whether to reduce the kind of immigration it is supporting. This indicates that over 60% of the immigration levels are dedicated to economic immigrants, a level the Minister believes is ‘unprecedented’ with comparable countries to Canada.
However, he also noted that it was crucial not to ‘overreact’ when considering upcoming immigration levels. He stated that throughout COVID-19 pandemic, immigration was an integral factor in helping Canada avoid a recession and that future actions will be taken in a ‘thoughtful fashion.’
The Immigration Levels Plan is a document that the federal immigration department publishes every year, detailing the number of new permanent residents that Canada hopes to welcome. The plan is updated yearly and sets targets for the upcoming year and two years into the future. IRCC uses this immigration plan to guide its operation.
A Year Of Change
Canada’s immigration minister signals major PR changes. The Minister’s comments come as public support for immigration in Canada has dropped. Multiple polls in the last year have shown that support for immigration dropped in 2023, with the main influencing factor being increased pressure on housing stock and general affordability.
To address these concerns, IRCC has already taken action to reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada, including the historic addition of temporary resident levels in the subsequent Immigration Levels Plan.
In support of this goal, IRCC has already:
- Implemented a cap on study permits for foreign/ international students
- Declared their intention to hold more ‘domestic’ permanent residency draws
- Limited the number of low-wage temporary foreign workers in census metropolitan areas (CMA) with an unemployment rate above 6%
In his recent interview, the Minister also discussed & elaborated on measures taken by IRCC. He stated that some specific adjustments need to be made in the International student program. He further said that IRCC is considering some measures that will be announced in the fall.
Recent statements from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau echoed these sentiments. He stated that the Canadian government is looking at various streams to ensure that Canada remains a place that is positive in its support for immigration, responsible in the way it integrates, and provides pathways to success for everyone.
Furthermore, IRCC froze immigration levels of permanent residents to 2025 targets – maintaining the same levels through to 2026. Immigration levels for 2025 and 2026 are nominal targets, which might be adjusted to reflect Canada’s immigration needs. They are currently set at 500,000 for both years.
The Need For Immigration
Canada’s immigration minister signals major PR changes. While immigration has become a prominent issue for Canadians for 2024, it also impacts various aspects of Canadian society. For example, close to 100% of labor market growth in Canada is due to immigration. The need for immigrant workers becomes more relevant when considering Canada’s aging population. This is along with the large number of retirement-age workers who will leave the labor force in the upcoming years.
Furthermore, considering Canada’s socially subsidized healthcare, pension, education, and housing systems, a reduction in population growth could also have negative downstream effects on these systems.
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