On March 21, 2024, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced significant reforms aimed at managing the increase of temporary residents into Canada and protecting the working Canadian population from the rise in dependence on temporary residents.
The move signifies a proactive approach to address the increasing volume of temporary residents in the country and reduce the overall numbers.
Key Points from Minister Marc Miller’s Announcement
- Current Situation: Canada’s temporary resident population surged to 2.5 million, constituting 6.2% of the total population in 2023.
- Targeted Reduction: The federal government aims to reduce the temporary resident population to 5% from 6.2% over the next three years of temporary foreign workers.
- Inclusion in Immigration Levels Plan: The Immigration Levels Plan will now encompass both temporary and permanent resident arrivals.
- Consultations and Reviews: Provincial and territorial governments will collaborate with federal counterparts to set targets. Additionally, a review of existing programs bringing in temporary workers will be conducted and will come after for misuse of the program and employers who are abusing the system as “bad actors”.
Updates and Reforms
Reducing LMIA Length
In order to tackle abuse and misuse of LMIA, and fraud in LMIA system, the length of LMIA has been reduced to 6 months from 12 months, nearly half the length.
Annual Targets
Starting fall 2023, Canada will establish annual targets for temporary resident arrivals, akin to those for permanent residents.
Meeting with Provincial Counterparts
Minister Miller will convene meetings with the provincial governments to set the certain quotas and to determine annual targets for temporary residents.
Conversion to Permanent Residency
Efforts will be made to convert temporary residents into permanent residents, with a target of reducing to 5% of temporary foreign workers in Canada.
Changes to Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
Various reforms, including reducing LMIA validity and modifying workforce proportions for certain sectors, aim to align the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) with labor market needs. Measures will be taken against employers that are misusing the system to hire Temporary Foreign Worker.
Concerns Over Rising Temporary Resident Levels
Data Revealed
Statistics Canada disclosed a substantial increase in temporary residents, raising concerns about their impact on permanent residency opportunities.
Competitive Immigration Landscape
Despite sufficient temporary residents to meet permanent residency targets, Canadian immigration remains competitive, prioritizing specific skillsets and demographics.
Conclusion
The announcement marks a significant shift in Canada’s immigration strategy, emphasizing a balanced approach to managing temporary resident arrivals while ensuring opportunities for permanent residency align with national priorities
