Canada is facing a major challenge: nearly five million temporary permits for foreign workers, international students, and asylum seekers will expire by the end of 2025. This situation has raised concerns about how the country will handle the potential departure or extension of these individuals.
Government Under Pressure
Earlier this week, Immigration Minister Marc Miller spoke before Canada’s immigration committee to address these worries. He explained that the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) is enforcing immigration laws and expects most people to leave voluntarily. However, Conservative MP Tom Kmiec questioned whether Canada is fully prepared to manage the process effectively.
One pressing issue is the expiration of 766,000 student visas by December 2025. Many of these students will either renew their permits or apply for work permits to stay longer. While this will help fill job gaps, it also puts pressure on housing, healthcare, and other social services.
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The Role of Temporary Foreign Workers
Temporary foreign workers are essential to Canada’s economy. According to Statistics Canada, most permit holders under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP) are employed. However, the government has announced plans to reduce the intake of both permanent and temporary residents to ease the strain on resources. By 2025, the target for permanent residents will drop from 500,000 to 395,000, and temporary foreign workers will decrease by over 40% by 2026. There will also be a 10% cut in the number of international students.
Why the Cutbacks?
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged that rapid immigration growth, especially after the pandemic, has overwhelmed Canada’s infrastructure. High immigration numbers have increased demand for housing, healthcare, and social services. The new immigration limits aim to balance economic needs with the country’s capacity to support new arrivals.
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Growing Challenges for Immigrants
Darshan Maharaja, an immigration analyst, highlighted that temporary residents now make up 7.3% of Canada’s population. This has contributed to rising rental costs and overcrowded living conditions, along with added strain on the healthcare system. Maharaja suggested that Indian workers, who represent a large portion of Canada’s immigrants, might consider opportunities in other countries due to these growing challenges.
Canada’s decision to reduce immigration numbers reflects a need to support its infrastructure while recognizing the valuable role immigrants play in its economy. Balancing these priorities will be crucial as the country navigates the expiration of millions of temporary permits in the coming years.
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Source: Linda Ikeji Blog
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