Last Updated On 28 November 2024, 10:37 PM EST (Toronto Time)
The Canadian government made a significant announcement on September 18, 2024, that will impact the future of Canada’s immigration and temporary resident programs.
The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, along with the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages, revealed additional measures aimed at strengthening the temporary resident programs and migration pathways.
This highly anticipated announcement took place at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa on September 18 at 1:00 p.m. ET (Toronto time).
Immigration ministry says, they are:
- announcing a further reduction in the intake cap on international student study permits for 2025 based on a 10% reduction from the 2024 target of 485,000 new study permits issued, and then stabilizing the intake cap for 2026 such that the number of study permits issued remains the same as 2025
- For 2025, this means reducing study permits issued to 437,000
- updating the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program this fall to better align with immigration goals and labour market needs
- limiting work permit eligibility, later this year, to spouses of master’s degree students to only those whose program is at least 16 months in duration
- limiting work permit eligibility later this year to spouses of foreign workers in management or professional occupations or in sectors with labour shortages—under Canada’s work permit programs (TFWP and IMP)
Like many countries, Canada is experiencing more asylum claims as the number of displaced people worldwide continues to grow, and that contributes to growing temporary resident volumes. To align with our humanitarian responsibilities, the government has been working on several measures to address integrity issues and strengthen the in-Canada asylum system, including:
- implementing a partial visa requirements for Mexican nationals
- improving claims processing while maintaining the fairness and integrity of the asylum system, as announced in 2024
- reviewing visa decision-making so that our highly trained officers have the right tools to detect fraud and reduce the number of non-genuine visitors
- exploring more measures to further strengthen visa integrity
As Canada continues to attract international students, skilled workers, and temporary foreign workers, the government is under increasing pressure to ensure that the system remains robust, transparent, and fair.
The forthcoming announcement is expected to outline new strategies designed to streamline migration pathways while cracking down on abuse and fraudulent practices that threaten the integrity of Canada’s immigration programs.
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Official Media Advisory
What Could the Announcement Entail?
While the specifics of the upcoming announcement remain under wraps, several key themes are likely to be addressed:
- Strengthening Temporary Resident Programs: Temporary residents, such as international students and foreign workers, form a vital part of Canada’s workforce and academic institutions.
- Ensuring these individuals have secure pathways to permanent residency and are protected from exploitation may be a focus of the announcement.
- Combating Fraud and Abuse: In light of rising reports of immigration fraud and the exploitation of vulnerable migrant workers, new measures could target stricter enforcement and monitoring mechanisms to protect those within Canada’s temporary resident streams.
- Stricter Background Checks: In the light of recently apprehended Pakistani terrorists entering Canada on student visas, we may see that immigration system resorting to even stricter background checks to prevent this in the future.
- Labour Market Impact Assessment: Since Minister Boissonnault is involved, we may also see further stricter measures to prevent LMIA fraud and blackmarket.
Key Takeaways
- Announcement: The Honourable Marc Miller and Honourable Randy Boissonnault will announce additional actions to protect Canada’s immigration system on September 18, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. ET.
- Expected Themes: Strengthening temporary resident programs, combating fraud, and improving processing efficiency.
Looking Ahead: What Tomorrow’s Announcement Means for Canada’s Immigration Future
While the exact details of tomorrow’s announcement are still to be revealed, it is clear that the Canadian government is serious about enhancing the integrity of its immigration system.
By targeting fraud, protecting temporary residents, and ensuring that the system remains fair and efficient, Ministers Miller and Boissonnault aim to strengthen Canada’s reputation as a top destination for immigrants.
Canada remains committed to welcoming immigrants who contribute to the country’s social and economic fabric.
The upcoming reforms may usher in a new era of transparency, protection, and efficiency in the immigration system.
Be sure to tune in tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. ET as Ministers Miller and Boissonnault make their highly anticipated announcement from the National Press Theatre in Ottawa.
We will provide live updates on all the major developments, including expert analysis on what these changes mean for future immigration to Canada.
Canada’s immigration system is evolving, and tomorrow’s announcement will be a crucial step in ensuring it remains resilient, fair, and effective for years to come.
Stay tuned for full coverage of the announcement, including detailed insights and expert commentary.
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