September 19, 2024
Canada Revamps Immigration Strategy: New Measures for Managing Temporary Residents and Asylum Seekers
On September 18, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) unveiled a comprehensive strategy to refine Canada’s temporary residence programs and migration pathways. This strategic update is designed to address labor market needs, manage system pressures, and ensure the integrity of Canada’s immigration system amidst evolving economic conditions and the ongoing impacts of the pandemic.
Key Reforms and Measures
Reducing Temporary Resident Numbers
Canada is targeting a reduction in the proportion of temporary residents—from 6.5% to 5% of the total population—by 2026 through several key measures:
- International Students: The intake cap for new international student study permits will be reduced by 10% in 2025 to 437,000, with this cap remaining stable for 2026. New regulations will also introduce stricter language proficiency requirements and limit work permit eligibility for student spouses and graduates from certain programs.
- Temporary Foreign Workers: Strengthened protections and enforcement measures have been introduced. Employers are now required to inform workers of their rights, and compliance inspections have been improved. The government has also canceled the visitor-to-worker public policy and increased funding to protect temporary foreign workers.
Strengthening Asylum Processes
To manage the growing number of asylum claims and ensure system integrity:
- Visa Requirements: A partial visa requirement for Mexican citizens, introduced earlier this year, has resulted in an 80% reduction in claims from Mexico. This measure aims to prevent misuse and better manage asylum claim volumes.
- Claims Processing: Enhanced processing measures are being implemented, including better fraud detection and more efficient review processes to uphold fairness and system integrity.
Supporting Economic and Community Integration
The reforms also focus on aligning immigration policies with economic needs and community capacities:
- Labor Market Alignment: Updates to the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program and work permit eligibility are aimed at aligning immigration with labor market demands. New rules will require higher language proficiency for work permits and limit eligibility for spouses of students and foreign workers.
- Financial Investments: The 2024 budget includes substantial funding to support and stabilize the asylum system, ensuring it can handle increased demands and maintain high standards of service.
Canada’s updated immigration strategy reflects a proactive approach to managing temporary residence volumes and addressing economic and community needs. By implementing these comprehensive reforms, Canada aims to ensure a well-managed and sustainable immigration system that balances humanitarian responsibilities with economic objectives. For further details on these changes, additional information will be available on the official government website.
This strategic overhaul underscores Canada’s commitment to adapting its immigration policies to meet current realities and maintaining a robust, equitable system for all.
Thank you for reading.
Mario D. Bellissimo
Mario D. Bellissimo is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School and is a Certified Specialist in Citizenship and Immigration Law and Refugee Protection. He is the founder of BELLISSIMO LAW GROUP PC and the principal lawyer with a practice focus on citizenship, immigration and protected person litigation and inadmissibility law. Mr. Bellissimo has appeared before all levels of immigration tribunals and courts including the Supreme Court of Canada. He is the past Chair of the Canadian Bar Association National Immigration Law Section, serves as an appointed member of the Federal Court Rules Committee and participates on multiple stakeholder committees involving the Federal Courts, the Immigration and Refugee Board, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Canada Border Services Agency, Employment and Social Development Canada, and the Department of Justice.
Mr. Bellissimo has testified before Parliamentary and Senate Committees on several proposed amendments to immigration law over the years. He has been lead on policy papers, legal analysis and proposed recommendations to government on behalf of immigration advocacy associations and in his personal capacity.
Mr. Bellissimo acts on a pro bono basis for Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital and Pro Bono Law Ontario and as the National Immigration Law and Policy Advisor for COSTI Immigration Resettlement Services. He and his team represent clients from all over the world and Bellissimo Immigration Law Group PC is exclusively committed to Canadian citizenship, immigration and refugee matters. Bellissimo Immigration Law Group PC handles hundreds of files each year and represents clients at every stage of the immigration process.
Mr. Bellissimo has authored several legal publications including (1) Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Inadmissibility Law, Second Edition, (2) Labour Market Impact Assessments, Compliance and Enforcement: A Practical Guide, (3) Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Inadmissibility: Criminal Law Edition, (4) Practical Guide to Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Inadmissibility Law: Corporate Edition, (5) Practical Guide to Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Inadmissibility Law: Refugee Law Edition, (6) Practical Guide to Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Inadmissibility Law: Immigration Practitioner’s Edition, (7) he is the Editor-in-Chief of ImmQuest, and the (8) Immigration Law Reporter. Mr. Bellissimo has taught several immigration law courses, speaks across Canada and appears frequently in the media on breaking citizenship, immigration and refugee stories.