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Canada to reduce influx of temporary residents
Immigration and Employment ministers unveiled plans to address housing and employment challenges
Canada has unveiled plans to reduce the influx of temporary residents into the country. Immigration Minister Marc Miller revealed that the government aims to decrease the proportion of temporary residents from the current 6.2 percent to 5 percent.
This announcement may affect the aspirations of several Indians eyeing Canada for settlement or work opportunities.
Addressing a press conference on Mar. 21, Canadian Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault outlined the government's strategy, stating that they intend to lower the percentage of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) that businesses can hire from 30 percent to 20 percent, with certain exceptions in sectors such as agriculture.
The substantial presence of temporary residents, including students and workers with permits, has significantly contributed to Canada's rapid population growth. However, this surge has sparked concerns regarding the availability of adequate housing and essential services like healthcare for the burgeoning population. Presently, Canada hosts approximately 2.5 million temporary residents, encompassing asylum seekers, refugees, students, and workers, constituting 6.2 percent of the total population.
In 2023, India supplied 26,495 temporary foreign workers to Canada, ranking among the top ten countries of origin for TFWP permit holders.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller hinted to journalists last year that restrictions on admitting temporary foreign workers beyond 2024 were likely.
In recent years, the Indian community in Canada has experienced consistent growth, with figures soaring from 670,000 between 2000 and 2020 to over one million by 2020, reaching 1,021,356.
Miller also emphasized the necessity for better planning and discussions with provinces to ensure sufficient housing for workers. He further advocated for streamlining pathways for temporary residents to become permanent residents.
Meanwhile, Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault emphasized the government's intention to reduce the reliance on temporary foreign workers by encouraging employers to prioritize hiring Canadians or refugees. Boissonnault cited a discrepancy between the 1.2 million Canadians seeking employment and the 650,000 job openings available.
The government aims to mandate employers to demonstrate efforts to hire asylum seekers before considering foreign workers. Miller suggested that facilitating the transition of international students into the workforce could alleviate housing challenges, as they would already have accommodation in Canada.
While the government establishes targets for admitting permanent residents, no such targets exist for temporary residents currently, despite 42 percent of them being international students. Canada's population growth has outpaced that of other major countries primarily due to immigration.
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