Canada has announced its plans to decrease the intake of temporary foreign workers for the first time, breaking from its trend of high immigration rates, officials revealed on Thursday.
Ottawa aims to bring down the number of temporary residents to five percent of the population over the next three years, a drop from the current 6.2 percent (2.5 million individuals).
The finalized target will be determined following discussions with Canada’s provinces, some of which have expressed concerns over significant migrant inflows amidst a housing shortage and escalating demand for services.
Restrictions on temporary foreign worker permits are set to be implemented starting on May 1.
This decision comes after the recent announcement of a cap on new permits for international students and visa prerequisites for select Mexican travelers.
“Canada has experienced a notable surge in the number of temporary residents in recent times, encompassing a growth in international students, more foreign workers occupying job roles, and individuals seeking refuge from conflicts and natural calamities,” stated Immigration Minister Marc Miller during a press briefing.
Despite this, Canada’s labor market is presently more competitive, with its population expansion, driven by substantial immigration, outpacing job creation.
Official figures reveal a decrease of 3.6 percent in job vacancies to 678,500 during the final quarter of 2023, marking the sixth consecutive quarterly reduction from a peak of 983,600 in the second quarter of 2022.
“Adjustments are necessary to enhance the system’s efficiency and viability,” emphasized Miller.
Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault encouraged employers to prioritize hiring refugees over seeking temporary foreign workers.
Employers currently allowed to have temporary foreign workers constituting up to 30 percent of their workforce will witness this percentage dropping to 20 percent, with exceptions in the healthcare and construction sectors.
Meanwhile, Canada’s immigration department has been directed by Miller to evaluate existing schemes that bring in temporary laborers to align them better with labor demands and eradicate any exploitative practices.
