Canada is set to reduce its intake of temporary foreign workers, a decision revealed by officials on Thursday. This strategy marks a significant shift from the nation’s previously expansive immigration policy.
The federal government proposes adjusting the number of temporary residents to constitute no more than five per cent of the national population over the coming three years, a notable decrease from the current 6.2 per cent, which amounts to approximately 2.5 million individuals.
The adjustment comes in the wake of Canada experiencing substantial population growth driven by high levels of immigration, which has begun to outstrip job creation.
“Canada has witnessed a considerable increase in the volume of temporary residents recently,” said Immigration Minister Marc Miller during a press briefing.
This surge includes international students, foreign workers filling employment gaps, and individuals displaced by conflicts and natural disasters.
Recent government statistics highlight a 3.6 per cent drop in job vacancies to 678,500 in the final quarter of 2023, continuing a downward trend from a peak of 983,600 in mid-2022.
“With the labor market tightening, it’s clear that changes are necessary to render the system both more efficient and sustainable,” Miller remarked.
The policy revision is set to be finalised following discussions with provincial governments, some of which have voiced concerns over the strain on housing and public services due to the influx of migrants. The move aligns with other recent adjustments, including a cap on new permits for international students and the introduction of visa requirements for certain Mexican travellers.
In tandem with the reduction in temporary foreign workers, Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault has called on businesses to prioritise hiring refugees. The new guidelines will limit the proportion of temporary foreign workers in companies to 20 per cent, down from 30 per cent, with exceptions for the healthcare and construction sectors.
Additionally, Minister Miller has directed Canada’s immigration department to review existing temporary labour programs to ensure they align more closely with the country’s labour market needs and to eliminate any program abuses.
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