Regional authorities discuss the future of immigration policies in Canada

 The Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration (FMRI) met this past week to discuss policy designs for newcomers to the country. According to an official press release, summit members honed in regional responsibilities surrounding asylum seekers and temporary and permanent residents, focusing on a two-year period between 2025 and 2027.

One of the primary issues brought up was the consensus to call on federal powers to reverse the $625-million in cuts to employment strategies that fall under the Canadian labour market transfer agreements (LMTAs). Alongside budgetary concerns, both provincial and territorial representatives relayed how their regions continue to face the influx of new immigrants, with each looking to balance the scales of temporary resident management. 

According to the press release, ministers were quick to indicate that temporary residents are an asset to labour markets and cultural diversity. However, as federal incentives curtail temporary resident intake, ministers pointed out that a data-driven approach is vital to monitor regional economies.

Additional topics included the balancing act of the International Student Program (ISP) which falls under the jurisdiction of immigration and education policymakers.

“Today we had very productive discussions on the key immigration challenges that we face as a country. We discussed how to factor in temporary residents into immigration levels planning while addressing labour market shortages and successfully integrating newcomers in our communities,” said Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship in an official statement to the press. 

According to information provided to the press, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) was analyzed as a primary tool to manage market needs alongside new policies throughout the summit. This program itself, ministers hope, will function as a better tool for giving temporary residents with unique backgrounds the opportunity to gain permanent residency in Canada. 

Videos

Read More

Read More

Learn more

Read More

Beyond the needs of regional economies, ministers discussed the rapid influx of asylum claimants, specifically, how each province must be open to discussing their regional policies as early as possible to assist those looking for refuge in Canada.

At the time of publication, no official word has been provided on what specific solutions are being implemented or the details behind them.