Significant Immigration Changes on the way in Canada: Permanent Residency likely to be Impacted

On Monday, August 26, 2023, the Minister of Immigration, Marc Miller, gave an information-packed interview in which he discussed the levels of permanent residents in Canada and the potential for upcoming changes to permanent residency in Canada. This interview came during a time period that has seen changes in Canada’s immigration policies. These recent changes are largely focused on controlling immigration and restricting the number of immigrants who enter Canada.

Permanent Residency

People who wish to come to Canada for a long time, or even permanently, can apply for permanent residence in Canada. Permanent resident status also allows individuals with that status to apply for citizenship after meeting certain conditions, including being in Canada for five years before submitting a citizenship application.

Being a permanent resident of Canada affords individuals certain rights that are not available to temporary residents. Permanent residents have freedom of movement, which means they can work and live anywhere in Canada. Permanent residents are also eligible for most social benefits that Canadian citizens have access to, including health care coverage.

Permanent residence is available through family sponsorship, the Provincial Nominee Programs, and Express Entry. These avenues for permanent residency have differing application requirements, and applicants are best suited to different applications based on their personal characteristics.

Incoming Immigration Changes

There have been many recent changes to Canada’s immigration system. Further, based on comments made by government officials, there are more changes on the horizon. The Government of Canada is changing immigration policy largely in response to concerns that Canadians face regarding housing and affordability, which are believed by many to be exacerbated by Canada’s immigration policies that have prioritized admission of many immigrants since the restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic ended. The population of Canada in 2023 grew faster than it has since the 1950s, and Canada’s population surpassed 41 million people for the first time in 2024.

Changes to permanent residency to be “not cosmetic” but “significant”

Immigration Minister Marc Miller gave a recent interview that gave insight into the direction in which Canada’s immigration policy will likely head in soon. In the interview, Immigration Minister Marc Miller indicated that the Canadian federal government is looking at several options to re-evaluate permanent resident levels in Canada. He said upcoming changes will be significant rather than cosmetic:

“Now it’s time to take a look at them and put real options on the table for the prime minister and for other cabinet ministers to look at, and not cosmetic changes simply to deal with public opinion. Real significant change.”

These significant changes mentioned in the interview were not expanded upon. Rather, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said that all options are on the table. However, there was some specificity in terms of how considerations about immigration will be made as Minister Miller indicated in his interview that Canada’s proportion of economic immigration to overall immigration is too high compared with other, similar nations.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller is not the only person in government who has been asked questions about immigration. Recently, comments on immigration were also made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau:

“We’re looking at the various streams to make sure that as we move forward, Canada remains a place that is positive in its support for immigration, but also responsible in the way we integrate and make sure there’s pathways to success for everyone who comes to Canada.”

These quotes seem to show that the government is committed to changing immigration policy, and this has been a trend for quite some time. Indeed last year in November the government froze permanent resident targets for the next three years in order to ensure stability in immigration. The aim is to bring in 500,000 permanent residents in both 2025 and 2026 according to the current plan.

Other recent immigration changes

Changes in immigration go beyond those that will impact permanent residence. The Canadian government has also announced there will be stricter rules implemented in order to reduce the number of temporary foreign workers in Canada. This change was announced at the same time as Immigration Minister Marc Miller’s comments, which is further indicative of the government’s initiative to change immigration policy.

Another change that impacts temporary residents is the change to study permits. For the first time in Canadian history, a cap on international students has been implemented. Not only has a cap been implemented, but further changes, such as those that will impact the hours that international students can work off campus and regulations regarding study permits and transfer have been proposed. These changes are part of an effort to better regulate Canada’s international student program.

A third change that impacts temporary residents in Canada is the end of the temporary public policy that allowed visitors to Canada to apply for work permits while in Canada. As of August 28, 2024, visitors to Canada cannot apply for work permits while in Canada. The policy that allowed visitors to apply for work permits while in Canada was instituted in August 2020 during COVID-19. This policy was set to expire on February 28, 2025, but Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has indicated that the policy is ending as part of an effort to recalibrate the number of temporary residents in Canada and preserve the integrity of the immigration system.

These changes in policy are representative of how Canada’s immigration policy is changing and seems to moving in the direction of more regulation and less incoming immigration. More changes may be made before the end of 2024 so those who may be impacted by immigration changes should continue to check the news in order to stay up to date on the latest changes.

Contact Garson Immigration Law for Immigration Assistance

Garson Immigration Law is a Toronto-based law firm that helps our clients find solutions for their immigration needs, such as obtaining permanent residence in Canada and overcoming inadmissibility. Our firm’s focus on immigration allows us to understand the unique concerns and the obstacles faced by our clients.

Our skilled immigration lawyers have extensive expertise in all immigration matters, including work permits, student visas, and US immigration from Canada. If you have any questions about an immigration matter, do not hesitate to contact us online or call us at 416-321-2860.