In a recent interview with Reuters, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller discussed a forthcoming “suite of measures” aimed at reducing the number of non-permanent residents (those on study or work permits) in Canada.
Miller indicated that these measures might involve “changes to [Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs)] and enforcement.”
He remarked, “The era of uncapped programs for entering this country is coming to a close. This represents a significant shift…”
What modifications to the PGWP are under consideration?
In June, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sent surveys to key stakeholders in the post-secondary education sector to gather feedback on potential changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
According to the survey and the Deputy Minister Transition Binder 2024, the department is contemplating aligning PGWP issuance with labor market needs. Specifically, the plan would involve managing “access to work permits for students entering occupations in demand while reducing access for graduates from other programs.”
The survey also indicated that IRCC and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) have collaborated to align educational programs, as outlined in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), with job titles listed in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. For example, the survey notes that relevant NOCs for “carpenters” are linked to “three programs of study: construction trades, carpentry, and woodworking/general.”
Part of a Broader Strategy
Earlier this year, IRCC announced its first-ever target for non-permanent resident (NPR) levels to be included in this year’s immigration levels plan. This announcement outlined a plan to reduce NPR levels, aiming to stabilize their proportion in the Canadian population at five percent over the next three years. As of last April, NPRs comprised nearly seven percent of the total population.
As part of this initiative, IRCC has already introduced a two-year cap on international students, limiting the number of new post-secondary students to 292,000 this year. This cap will be reassessed in 2025, with potential adjustments to international student levels for that year.
Additionally, Minister Miller has expressed his intention to increase “domestic draws” for both federal and provincial permanent residence (PR) pathways. This approach aims to reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada by prioritizing them for PR draws and minimizing the recruitment of new PRs from abroad, which could exacerbate housing and affordability issues linked to immigration.
These measures come at a time when immigration is under intense scrutiny from Canadians. As Miller noted in the Reuters interview, “[Immigration will be] a top issue, if not the top issue, in the next election.”
