September 7th, 2024 at 02:50 am

Canada Major Immigration Policy Changes 2024 | IRCC New Update

Global recognition for Canada’s welcoming and inclusive immigration policies has grown recently. However, as the anti-immigration sentiment grows, both domestically and globally, the nation is under increasing pressure to reconsider its position. This is seen in the most recent adjustments to Canada’s immigration laws, where the government has tightened rules to strike a balance between social and economic concerns.

We will discuss the implications of these developments for potential immigrants in this blog, as well as Canada’s response to a more divided national immigration discourse.

Introduction

As the nation gets closer to the federal election, Canada is tightening its immigration laws in response to the political unrest that is surrounding immigration. According to recent data, in 2024, the ratio of applications for visiting visas that are denied to those that are approved increased, reaching a level not seen since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Notably, in January, February, May, and June of this year, immigration officials denied more petitions than they granted. Study and work permit approvals have significantly decreased in tandem with the increase in visa rejections. Canada turned away around 6,000 foreign visitors in July 2024, including workers, students, and tourists. This is the largest amount since at least January 2019.

Despite its importance, this move seems to be informal as no explicit policy changes have been published.

Changing Public Sentiment on Canada Immigration

Alongside the tightening of immigration rules, there has been a discernible movement in Canadian public sentiment on immigration as a result of the ongoing cost of living problem. A Nova Scotia-based immigration attorney noted a rise in client rejections and heightened anti-immigrant sentiment.

The attorney pointed out that attitudes and remarks that were once deemed inappropriate are now freely aired. Immigration Minister Mark Miller announced that his government will reevaluate the volume of applications for permanent residency in response to these events. Miller stressed that to address public concerns, genuine, substantial change is required as opposed to quick fixes.

Following a spike in applications, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also hinted that his government may be cutting limits on the program for temporary foreign workers. An unspecial reporter has attacked the program for serving as a haven for modern-day slavery. In 2023, firms will be able to hire 239,240 temporary foreign workers—more than twice as many as were hired in 2018—under the scheme.

Tightening of Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Employers in industries like fast food and construction are increasingly turning to the temporary foreign worker program to fill open positions. Notably, since 2018, the number of low-wage positions filled in the healthcare industry has increased dramatically by more than 15%.

In response to these worries, Trudeau declared that companies in areas with 6% or greater unemployment rates would no longer be permitted to employ low-wage temporary foreign workers, except in industries related to food security such as processing agriculture and fish.

In a major shift from his administration’s prior position of raising immigration numbers, Trudeau also alluded to the potential of lowering the annual cap on the number of permanent residents admitted. He underlined the significance of prudent immigration to guarantee each newcomer’s successful integration.

Political Implications Ahead of Federal Election

Political leaders now prioritize immigration as a major topic in light of the impending federal election. The liberal government’s current immigration policies, which are allowing too many individuals to enter the nation too soon, have been sharply criticized by the Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre.

The party that is winning the polls, Pierre Poilievre, attacked Trudeau’s administration for increasing the population faster than new housing is being built. If his party wins the election, he has promised to link the rate of population growth in Canada to the number of new homes constructed.

Both Trudeau and Miller have defended the necessity of high immigration numbers, claiming that they are essential for Canada’s economic growth, despite these concerns. Nonetheless, they have admitted that the current situation is a result of both the sharp rise in immigration and the inadequate investment in infrastructure.

The federal government responded to these difficulties by announcing in late 2023 that it would freeze targets for permanent residents for the following three years to maintain a sustainable level of immigration inflows. In contrast to the 296,000 permanent residents admitted in 2016, the plan seeks to accept 485,000 permanent residents in 2024 and 500,000 in each of the following two years.

Final Thoughts

The immigration debate is expected to have a significant impact on the outcome of the next federal election, which will have far-reaching repercussions for the future of Canada as it navigates these complicated challenges. Canada’s long-standing reputation as a friendly country is in jeopardy as it tightens immigration laws in reaction to rising anti-immigrant sentiment.

Even if these adjustments are meant to alleviate social and economic stresses, they might also have an impact on immigrants looking for possibilities in the nation. Canada’s future as a destination for immigrants will be greatly influenced by its ability to strike a balance between promoting growth and solving social issues. It will take time to see how these new policies affect Canada’s internal dynamics as well as its reputation abroad.