On Thursday, March 21st, Immigration Minister Marc Miller revealed his intention to conduct additional “domestic draws” for temporary residents already residing in Canada who are potential candidates for permanent residence (PR).
These “draws” refer to rounds of PR selection through pathways like the Express Entry managed programs, where candidates from a pool are selected based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores—or for specific professional experience or French language ability—and issued invitations to apply (ITAs) for PR.
The Minister’s remarks were part of a comprehensive announcement regarding the management of temporary resident levels in Canada to alleviate pressures on critical support sectors such as housing and healthcare. Temporary residents include individuals living or working in Canada on a non-permanent basis, including foreign nationals on work or study permits.
“As part of our efforts for temporary residents to transition to permanent residency, we will have more domestic draws for us (the federal government) and ask provinces and territories participating in the Provincial Nominee Program to do the same with their allocations,” Miller stated.
What does this mean for newcomers already in Canada? For individuals in Canada on work or study permits, Miller’s comments suggest a potential shift towards targeting more permanent resident candidates already within the country. However, it’s challenging to predict precisely how Miller’s comments will translate into policy.
This move isn’t unprecedented in Canada’s immigration system, which has previously favored candidates already in the country. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the largest Express Entry draw in its history, issuing 27,332 ITAs to Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates with a CRS score of 75.
The CEC is one of the Express Entry-managed programs and serves as Canada’s dedicated federal pathway for immigration candidates who have already established themselves in the country’s labor market and society. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) similarly target individuals who have started integrating into Canadian life, managed primarily by provincial and territorial governments.
As mentioned earlier, Miller intends for the planned shift towards more domestic draws to encompass both federal and provincial pathways.
Why did the Immigration Minister make these comments? By potentially increasing the chances for temporary residents in Canada to receive PR, Miller aims to select candidates who are more likely to achieve successful immigration outcomes. Pre-immigration Canadian experience is widely recognized as one of the best predictors of positive outcomes in Canada.
Additionally, this approach allows the department to meet immigration targets outlined in the immigration levels plan without introducing new entrants to the economy, which could further strain sectors such as housing and healthcare.