In a significant development for individuals aspiring to settle or work in Canada, the government of Ottawa has declared its intention to decrease the influx of temporary residents into the country. Immigration Minister Marc Miller revealed plans to reduce the percentage of temporary residents from 6.2% to 5%, marking a notable shift in immigration policy.
Addressing concerns about the rapid population growth fueled by temporary residents, Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault announced a reduction in the percentage of temporary foreign workers that businesses can hire, from 30% to 20%, except in select sectors such as agriculture.
Temporary residents, including students and workers with permits, have played a pivotal role in Canada’s population surge. However, this growth has raised apprehensions regarding housing shortages and strain on essential services like healthcare. Currently, there are approximately 2.5 million temporary residents in Canada, encompassing asylum seekers, refugees, students, and workers.
India, among the top ten countries of origin for temporary foreign workers in Canada, contributed 26,495 temporary foreign workers in 2023 alone.
Minister Miller hinted at forthcoming restrictions on the admission of temporary foreign workers beyond 2024, emphasizing the need for better planning and coordination with provinces to address housing shortages for workers. Additionally, efforts are underway to facilitate the transition of temporary residents to permanent residents.
Employment Minister Boissonnault underscored the government’s aim to prioritize Canadian and refugee employment opportunities before resorting to hiring workers from other countries. With 1.2 million Canadians seeking employment and 650,000 job openings, measures are being implemented to encourage employers to exhaust domestic labor resources before seeking international workers.
Furthermore, the government aims to incentivize the hiring of asylum seekers and international students, potentially alleviating housing challenges by ensuring that individuals already residing in Canada have accommodation. While Canada’s population growth has been predominantly driven by immigration, recent discussions among economists suggest that high immigration rates may exacerbate issues such as housing scarcity.
As the government recalibrates its immigration policies to strike a balance between economic growth and addressing societal challenges, the Indian community in Canada braces for the impact of these regulatory changes on their aspirations for settlement and employment.