Canada Announces Major Changes for Temporary Workers and Foreign Students Sep 2024
September 19, 2024 – Canada has introduced new measures aimed at controlling the flow of temporary residents, including international students and foreign workers, as part of broader immigration reforms.
These changes reflect the government’s desire to balance the benefits of immigration with the pressures faced by communities regarding resources like housing and job opportunities. Let’s break down the details of these changes to understand their impact more deeply.
Reduction in International Student Permits
Canada is reducing the number of study permits issued to international students. This significant change is part of a broader effort to limit the total number of temporary residents entering the country. In 2025, the government plans to issue 437,000 study permits, down from the 509,390 permits granted in 2023. This reduction will also affect students who are still in the process of applying for permits, potentially slowing the growth of the international student population in Canada.
By limiting the number of study permits, Canada aims to ease the pressure on its housing market, which has been partly attributed to the influx of students. Cities with major universities and colleges, like Toronto and Vancouver, have experienced a surge in housing demand, leading to increased costs of living and rental prices. This measure hopes to provide some relief to these communities while ensuring that the student population remains manageable.
Tightening of Work Permits for Spouses
Another key change includes stricter eligibility for work permits for the spouses of international students and temporary foreign workers. Previously, spouses of students and temporary workers had relatively easy access to work permits. However, the government is now reviewing and reducing these provisions, ensuring that only those who meet tighter criteria can obtain work permits. This move will likely impact families planning to settle temporarily in Canada, where both partners intended to work.
This restriction reflects the government’s concern over the growing number of temporary residents and the effect they have on employment opportunities and wages for Canadian citizens. Reducing work permit eligibility for spouses could decrease the overall number of individuals competing in the Canadian labor market.
Strengthening Visa Integrity
As Canada faces a rise in refugee claims, the government is committed to strengthening visa integrity. Immigration officers are being given new tools and training to detect fraud and prevent non-genuine visitors from entering the country. The goal is to ensure that only legitimate visitors and temporary residents can enter Canada while reducing the risk of exploitation and abuse of immigration systems.
Visa integrity is a key concern, as fraudulent applications can undermine the public’s confidence in Canada’s immigration system. By strengthening visa decision-making, the government is also aiming to reduce the backlog of applications and improve the overall efficiency of the process. This measure not only safeguards the system but ensures that those who truly qualify for visas can access them without delay.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program Revisions
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) has been under scrutiny, particularly for its treatment of low-wage workers. Reports have criticized the program, claiming it creates environments that could lead to exploitation and even modern forms of slavery. In response, Canada has revised the program by capping the number of low-wage foreign workers certain employers can hire.
In some sectors, the government has also placed restrictions on employers in high-unemployment regions from hiring temporary foreign workers. This policy aims to prioritize local workers for available jobs, especially in industries where unemployment rates are high. While this protects Canadian workers, it also places restrictions on employers who rely heavily on foreign labor to meet business demands, particularly in agriculture and service industries.
Limited Transition to Permanent Residency
There has been growing pressure on the government to provide a clearer path from temporary status to permanent residency for foreign workers and students. Economists and immigration advocates argue that many of the jobs filled by temporary workers are not truly temporary in nature. However, despite these calls, the government’s recent announcement did not include a plan to transition more migrants from temporary to permanent status.
The lack of a permanent residency option frustrates those who feel that temporary workers are essential to Canada’s economic growth. Advocates argue that granting more temporary residents a pathway to permanent residency could improve their working conditions and rights, helping to address concerns about exploitation in the workforce.
Balancing Economic Needs and Public Sentiment
Public opinion in Canada has shifted in recent years, with a growing segment of the population expressing concern that the country is admitting too many immigrants. In particular, migrants have been blamed for the housing crisis and rising costs of living, even though experts argue that these problems are far more complex. Nonetheless, Canada’s Liberal government has responded to these concerns by taking steps to reduce the number of temporary residents, reflecting a balancing act between economic needs and public sentiment.
At the same time, economists caution that Canada’s economy relies on newcomers to fill gaps in the labor market and support economic growth. With an aging population and a shrinking workforce, the country needs immigrants to sustain its development. However, the challenge remains in addressing public fears while ensuring that immigration policies support long-term economic goals.
Upcoming Changes to Temporary Foreign Worker Caps
As part of the broader immigration policy shift, the government has also rolled back certain expansions to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program introduced in 2022. The new policy reduces the maximum share of low-wage temporary workers that an employer can hire. This change applies to specific sectors, particularly those where unemployment rates remain high, and where there has been significant reliance on foreign labor.
Employers in Canada will now have to adjust their hiring strategies and may need to focus more on recruiting local talent. This is intended to protect Canadian workers, but it will likely increase operational challenges for industries like agriculture, hospitality, and manufacturing, where finding local labor is often difficult.
These changes to Canada’s immigration system reflect the government’s efforts to balance immigration levels with economic needs while responding to public concerns. The measures to limit temporary residents aim to reduce pressure on housing, employment, and social services, while ensuring that Canada continues to meet its labor demands and remains an attractive destination for foreign talent. However, the long-term success of these policies will depend on how they are implemented and whether they address the concerns of both Canadians and migrants.
