Federal minister to propose new changes to immigration and asylum system

On November 25, Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, announced reforms to the immigration and asylum system.

The measures include reducing the number of permanent residents admitted over the next two years, tightening the rules for temporary work permits, and prioritizing that 40% of new permanent residents come from people already in Canada. There are also targets set for 8.5% of admissions to be francophones in 2025 and 10% in 2027.

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On November 25, Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, announced that the Liberal government will introduce a series of reforms to the immigration and asylum system in the coming weeks. These measures will include a significant reduction in the number of permanent residents admitted over the next two years and stricter regulations for temporary work permits.

According to official data, the current asylum system faces significant challenges, with an average processing time of 44 months for claims. Miller acknowledged that the system is not functioning as it should due to the high volume of cases and inefficiencies. Speaking to the Immigration Committee in the House of Commons, he expressed his intention to reform the system to make it fairer and more efficient. He also emphasized that many asylum applications are improperly submitted, sometimes as a strategy to stay in Canada without meeting the necessary requirements.

One example includes in-country asylum applications, which require individuals to have been in Canada for at least two weeks before applying. Only 635 of these applications were processed between January and September 2024. Miller also highlighted an increase in asylum claims from international students, further straining the system.

Looking ahead, the government aims for 40% of new permanent residents to come from individuals already in Canada. Additionally, it has set a goal for 8.5% of new permanent residents to be francophones by 2025, rising to 10% by 2027. These measures are part of a broader strategy to balance the demands on the immigration system.

By the end of September, Canada had nearly 250,000 pending asylum applications, with only 48,000 processed so far this year. This highlights the challenges the system faces and the urgent need for reforms to handle the increasing demand.

Source: RC / PC

Adapted by Immigria Editorial Team

Photo: La Presse canadienne / Adrian Wyld