Canada’s government is set to introduce a series of measures aimed at tightening temporary immigration, with no current plans to implement a broad program granting status to undocumented residents, according to Immigration Minister Marc Miller in an interview with Reuters.
“The era of uncapped programs to come into this country is quickly coming to an end. This is a big shift. You can’t just slam on the brakes and expect it to stop immediately,” Miller stated.
Canada has historically welcomed immigrants, with the current Liberal government significantly increasing the number of new residents, particularly temporary ones, to address labor shortages post-pandemic. However, there has been a recent shift in sentiment, with immigrants being blamed for exacerbating the housing crisis and affordability issues.
A Leger poll conducted in July revealed that 60% of respondents believed there were too many immigrants coming to Canada. Miller acknowledged this sentiment, emphasizing the need for a controlled and sensible immigration system that retains welcoming aspects.
Miller predicted that immigration would be a prominent issue in the upcoming election, expected in late 2025.
The Canadian government has already introduced some measures, including a two-year cap on international students and the first-ever cap on temporary immigration, aiming to reduce temporary residents to 5% of the total population over the next three years, down from 6.2% in 2023.
Despite these efforts, the Bank of Canada expressed doubts about achieving this goal, noting that non-permanent residents constituted 6.8% of the population as of April, with the share expected to rise in the near term. Miller acknowledged the challenge but deemed it “reasonable” given the planned measures, which might include changes to post-graduate work permits and stricter enforcement.
Regarding the rapid growth in temporary residents, Miller admitted that “every government makes mistakes” and cited the massive labor shortages faced post-COVID as a factor.
Canada is also experiencing record levels of refugee claims, with over 18,000 in June. The government has tried to deter asylum-seekers by closing the land border through a bilateral agreement with the U.S. and imposing new visa requirements for Mexicans. Miller mentioned the possibility of stricter criteria for temporary resident visas to prevent asylum-seekers from entering the country.