There's a remark attributed to Vladimir Lenin, "There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen," likely referring to the Bolshevik revolution and other remarkable watershed moments near the end of the Great War; periods where change accelerates at an unprecedented pace. On some level the sentiment is applicable to the Canadian immigration policy landscape of 2024, a year marked by swift and transformative changes. In 2024, Canada's immigration framework underwent significant transformations, reflecting the country's response to economic needs, public sentiment, global challenges and of course political considerations and calculations with the long-in-the-tooth Liberal government confronted by a frustrated and unhappy electorate.
What did 2024 bring us?
1. Introduction of Temporary Resident Caps
One of the landmark decisions was the government's move to cap temporary residents, including international students and foreign workers, to manage population growth and alleviate pressures on housing and infrastructure. Temporary resident levels weren't really counted or considered in immigration planning in the past. That's now changed. This policy change was part of a broader strategy to ensure "sustainable" immigration numbers, reducing the temporary population to 5% of Canada's total by the end of 2027.
That reduction of course is based on the fact that hundreds of thousands of temporary residents will simply leave of their own volition in the next 12-24 months.
2. Adjustments to the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program/Reform of the International Student Regime
The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) saw tightened eligibility requirements to align more closely with labor market needs. This included higher language benchmarks for applicants and the exclusion of graduates from programs under curriculum licensing arrangements, aiming to ensure that international students contribute effectively to the Canadian workforce. This change came on the heels of reports regarding (in the Minister's own words) "diploma mills" as DLIs.
The government also took steps to address the rampant fraud/program integrity issues within the international student regime. Applicants (unless exempt) need provincial attestation letters and same were allocated based on population resulting in a decrease to provinces like Ontario and BC where international students flocked to like moths to a flame.
3. Changes in Asylum Policy
The RPD is facing an unprecedented backlog of a quarter million claims. Changes are coming. The discussions around asylum policy are now in the limelight, with suggestions or proposals to limit eligibility for claims based on the duration of stay in Canada. This is based on Marc Miller's most recent interview with the Toronto Star and there's little doubt that there will be restrictions imposed. Sur place claims can be determined by way of an enhanced Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA), which could streamline the asylum system while addressing concerns about fairness and efficiency. This is simply speculation or prognostication (take your pick) on my part.
4. Revamping the Express Entry System
The Express Entry system, a cornerstone for economic immigration, is under review. One significant proposal (again, based on a recent interview with our most consequential Minister of Immigration in years) was the removal of additional points for a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). It's open knowledge that PR supporting LMIAs are bought and sold. That means an unfair playing field with those resorting to illegally paying for the points to have an advantage over those that are not.
5. Public and Political Pressure
The year was marked by political and public pressure regarding immigration levels. There's been a significant drop in public support for high immigration levels with concerns arising from higher housing and access and availability of public services. Quebec has also been public in its criticism of federal government immigration policy joined in more recently by other provinces like Alberta (although this government was calling for significant increase to PNP allocation and desirous of significant population growth just earlier this year/late last year). The government responded with a plan to reduce new permanent residents by 21 percent over the next three years, aiming for a more sustainable growth model after the post-COVID influx.
6. Citizenship Law Reforms
Following a court ruling, the government decided not to appeal, leading to legislative changes allowing citizenship by descent beyond the first generation, addressing the issue of "Lost Canadians." I think this needs some additional review and may be addressed by a change in government that many anticipate.
Conclusion
It's not quite the end of the year and there could be more changes and reforms coming. Like the quote attributed to Lenin, "May you live in interesting times" isn't an actual Chinese curse, and it's providence is murky but its use as such captures the human experience of preferring peace over the chaos of 'interesting' historical periods, reflecting a universal understanding of the hardships associated with significant change. Significant change has come, more is coming, and there will be significant hardship to many.
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