Luai Walid El Haj Discusses New Changes in Canada’s Immigration Policies
In November 2024, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Marc Miller, announced new changes to immigration policies. These changes involve reducing the number of international students and temporary residents in Canada, as well as tightening the conditions for obtaining work permits. The primary aim of these new policies is to balance population growth within Canada, reducing pressure on the country’s resources while improving the quality of life for new immigrants and providing them with better services. The policies also seek to enhance economic and social integration.
Enhancing Growth and Sustainability by Reducing Permanent Residents in Canada
The policy aims to promote sustainability and growth through measures such as:
- Reducing the Number of Residents: The number of new permanent residents will be reduced to 395,000 people next year (2025), and to 365,000 by 2027, according to the new Canadian government policies.
- Primary Goal: The main objective is to balance the influx of new immigrants and control population growth, ensuring that all residents in Canada have access to public services, housing, healthcare, and education at a level of quality suitable for everyone.
- Consultant’s Perspective: Immigration consultant Luai Walid El Haj from the “Get In Canada” firm noted that “these amendments represent a strategic and carefully considered step to strengthen Canada’s economic and social stability. They aim to prioritize those already in the country, facilitating their rapid integration into the Canadian labour market.” He also emphasized that the new amendments do not intend to drastically restrict immigration but rather to enhance opportunities for success and adaptation for new residents while preserving family reunification rights and continuing to support humanitarian issues.
Find out if you are eligible to get in Canada →
Reducing Temporary Residents According to New Policies
The new policies also include reducing the number of temporary residents, represented by international students and foreign workers:
- Reducing Study Permits: The new policies will decrease the number of study permits granted by 10% for the years 2025 and 2026, bringing the annual number down to 437,000.
- Impact of the Decision: This move aims to alleviate the housing demand for these students, particularly in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver, which suffer from housing shortages and high living costs.
- New Language Requirements: New language conditions will be imposed to ensure international students integrate into Canadian society and achieve academic and professional success in either English or French. This will be implemented starting November 2024.
- Impact of Changes According to Consultant Luai Walid El Haj: He described it as “an important step that will directly affect international students and educational institutions in Canada. Students must ensure they are prepared linguistically and financially, which will improve their chances of success in Canada’s competitive environment.” He added that this decision will encourage well-qualified students to come to Canada, ultimately benefiting the economy and society as a whole.
Balancing Economic and Social Goals for Immigration to Canada
Supporting Vital Sectors
The government focuses on enhancing economic and social sustainability by allocating 62% of entry visas to economic immigration categories by 2027. The goal is to attract skilled labour in critical sectors such as healthcare and construction to address population and economic challenges in the country.
Consultant Luai Walid El Haj’s Perspective
He indicated that “the new amendments aim to strike a balance between Canada’s humanitarian commitments and its economic goals. By attracting skilled workers, Canada can bolster its economic growth while reducing the pressure on services and infrastructure.” He believes these policies may help improve the success rates for new immigrants by providing them with support and guidance for effective community integration.
Impact of the New Policies on Canada
In the following, we’ll discuss the impact of the new policies:
- Reducing Pressure on Canadian Services: Lowering the number of temporary residents and reducing international student intake is expected to ease the demand on public services like schools and hospitals.
- This approach will allow the government to concentrate resources on enhancing and expanding public services.
- Cultural Integration Enhancement: The new policies aim to improve the integration of immigrants into Canadian society by offering training programs and language support, contributing to a more cohesive community.
Future of Immigration in Canada
The Canadian government is committed to reviewing the outcomes of any new policy to ensure alignment with economic and social needs, making adjustments as necessary to keep pace with changing demands and needs.
Consultant Luai Walid El Haj concluded by noting that, “While the policies may seem more restrictive at the moment, they reflect Canada’s commitment to achieving responsible and balanced growth. We hope these amendments will help build a strong, integrated community where immigrants play a key role in progress and prosperity.”
The new changes to Canada’s immigration policies mark a significant step toward fostering growth and sustainability while ensuring economic and social opportunities for all. Canada relies on immigrants to drive growth but also seeks to balance population growth with available resources. Through thoughtful planning and well-considered changes, Canada can continue building a strong, multicultural society that offers success opportunities for all who seek to make it their home.
