Canada To Include Temporary Residents in its Annual Immigration Levels Plan for the First Time
Post by : Admin on Mar 28,2024
According to Immigration Minister Marc Miller, temporary residents contribute to about 6.2% of the total Canadian population. The government now aims to bring that down to 5% by 2027. Thus, they plan to put a cap on the temporary resident permits in the immigration levels plan set in the Fall. Canada is all set to include temporary residents in its immigration levels plan for the first time. The huge, sudden flux of population growth made the government take this measure.
What are the New Changes for the Temporary Residents Program?
Whether you are an existing temporary visa holder or planning to apply for one, these changes will come in handy to you. All of them are measures to promote sustainable population growth in Canada.
Canada will limit the number of new temporary resident visa approvals. It is expected to reveal its first targets in September. Ottawa might be the first to set the targets this fall.
The government has already put a two-year cap on new study permit approvals. This was done to reduce international student’s exploitation and improve the education system.
Miller plans to review the existing temporary worker programs and align them with the current labour needs. He will also reduce the number of temporary workers entering Canada from 1st May 2024.
Canadian businesses that could hire 30% of their workforce from the temporary foreign worker program will now hire only 20%. Exceptions include the construction and healthcare sectors. Seasonal sectors like tourism and fishing are exceptions during their peak seasons.
Randy Boissonnault, Employment Minister, stated that they want business owners in Canada to prioritize the workers already present in the country first. They can apply for temporary foreign workers when all other options are exhausted. However, they need to prove that they have no other option than to rely on temporary foreign workers. So, you can expect changes to the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application program as well.
Why are the Changes Important?
It has now become a necessity to limit the number of temporary residency approvals in Canada. That’s due to the chaotic population growth with an increasing number of temporary residents coming in every year. The cap on temporary resident visa approvals will allow only the most deserving candidates to enter, meanwhile letting the country restore its efficiency and sustainability.
The population growth in Canada spiked by at least 430,000 during the 2023 third quarter. Temporary residents contributed to almost three-quarters of the growth. Hence, the government had to come up with new changes in temporary resident streams to control the rampant population growth.
Final Thoughts,
About 313,000 temporary residents fuelled the international population growth in Canada. Miller said he will further discuss the 5% reduction in temporary resident visas in May. All in all, we can expect a significant reduction in temporary residents and foreign workers. If you are planning to apply via any of them, it’s time to be more careful with the application to ensure you seize the opportunity. We have trained immigration consultants who can guide you through the changes and the entire application process. You can consult anytime!
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