Millions of People might be Forced to Leave Canada next year as 5 million Permits near Expiration
As Canada faces the imminent expiration of nearly five million temporary permits by the end of 2025, concerns are rising regarding the future of visa holders in the country. Immigration Minister Marc Miller recently addressed these worries during his testimony before the Commons immigration committee, highlighting the various permits at stake, including those for temporary foreign workers, students, and asylum claimants engaged in employment.
Conservative MP Tom Kmiec raised questions about the government's readiness to manage the expiring permits, especially in ensuring that the 4.9 million visa holders depart the country as needed. Minister Miller, in response, emphasized the active enforcement of immigration laws by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) and expressed expectations that most individuals would leave voluntarily.
The issue of 766,000 study permits expiring by December 2025 was also addressed, with Minister Miller noting that many students would likely either renew their permits or seek post-graduate work permits to extend their stay.
Key statistics from Statistics Canada shed light on the significant role of work permits under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP) in Canada's temporary foreign workforce. In 2021, 87% of TFWP permit holders and 69% of IMP permit holders for work purposes were gainfully employed. However, the increasing number of temporary residents in Canada, particularly international students, has raised concerns about the strain on infrastructure and social services.
In response to mounting criticism over strained resources, the Canadian government has announced changes to immigration policies aimed at reducing the intake of both permanent and temporary residents. By 2025, the target for permanent residents is set to decrease from 500,000 to 395,000, representing a 21% reduction. Additionally, the number of temporary foreign workers is expected to see a decrease of over 40% by 2026, with a 10% reduction expected for international students.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the economic pressures stemming from rapid immigration growth, especially in the wake of the pandemic. While recognizing the vital contributions of temporary foreign workers to the economy, he underscored how the pace of immigration has strained housing, healthcare, and social services. The newly proposed immigration caps aim to strike a balance between meeting labor demands and maintaining the country's infrastructure capacity.
Immigration analyst Darshan Maharaja has warned that the increasing influx of temporary residents, now constituting 7.3% of the population, is exacerbating housing challenges with escalating rental costs and overcrowded living conditions becoming prevalent. He has also drawn attention to the strain on Canada's healthcare system and the escalating cost of living.
To conclude, the evolving landscape of temporary permits in Canada poses both challenges and opportunities for the country's immigration policies and overall social and economic framework. Efforts to streamline the entry of temporary foreign workers and students while also alleviating pressures on infrastructure are critical steps in ensuring a sustainable and balanced approach to immigration in Canada.
