Immigration to Canada: 5 million temporary workers in delicate situation as their permits expire.
Temporary foreign workers in Canada include work permit holders, study permit holders and asylum seekers who are engaged in professional activities.
Nearly five million temporary permits will expire at the end of 2025, raising questions about the future of these visa holders in Canada. Immigration Minister Marc Miller addressed these concerns during his testimony to the House of Commons immigration committee earlier this week.
Temporary foreign workers in Canada include work permit holders, study permit holders and asylum seekers who are engaged in professional activities.
How does Canada manage 4.9 million temporary visas?
Conservative MP Tom Kmiec questioned the government's readiness to deal with the 4.9 million temporary visa holders whose permits are expiring. "How will the government ensure that these people leave the country if necessary?" Kmiec asked. Miller responded by saying that the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) actively enforces immigration laws and that many have to leave voluntarily.
Kmiec also raised the issue of the 766,000 study permits that expire by December 2025, wondering if the CBSA intends to keep up with such a large number. Miller explained: "Some students will renew their permits or apply for work permits after graduation, which offers opportunities to extend their stay." A video of the exchange was later shared by the National Post, a Canadian media outlet.
Statistics on temporary foreign workers
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Key data from Statistics Canada shows:
< Work permits are under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or International Mobility Program (IMP), although some IMP permits are not linked to employment.
< In 2021, 87% of PTET permit holders and 69% of PUN permit holders issued for professional purposes had income from employment.
< Among non-permanent residents, 58% of those with work and study permits were employed, compared to 34% of those with study permits only.
< Work permit holders, mostly international students, represented 42% of temporary workers in 2021. Indian nationals occupy a prominent place in the Canadian immigration landscape. In 2022, Indian citizens will account for 27% of all new permanent residents. However, precise data detailing the number of Indian nationals among these temporary foreign workers is not available.
New immigration policies announced
The Trudeau government has implemented policies aimed at reducing the admission of permanent and temporary residents over the next three years. The change comes amid criticism of overburdened infrastructure and the approaching election. Key changes include:
Permanent residents: The target will drop from 500,000 to 395,000 by 2025, a 21% reduction.
Temporary workers and students: By 2026, the number of temporary foreign workers is expected to decline by more than 40%, while the number of international students will decrease by 10%.
Canada-based immigration analyst Darshan Maharaja explained: "Temporary residents made up 6.8% of the population when this policy was announced. That figure has now increased to 7.3%. »
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