Latest news with #permanentResidency
CTV News
5 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Increasing permanent immigration for now could reduce temporary residency: Institut du Québec
Temporarily increasing the number of new permanent immigrants to Quebec could reduce reliance on temporary residency, according to the Institut du Québec (IQ). In a new report unveiled on Wednesday, IQ suggests several possible courses of action in a context where Quebec and Ottawa are seeing a decline in immigration flows compared with recent years. In one scenario, IQ proposes that Quebec plan for a temporarily higher permanent immigration threshold, up to 90,000. This target would be accompanied by a 'clear trajectory' back towards 60,000, 'to allow the integration of skilled temporary residents already present and to reduce delays in access to permanent residence.' IQ points out that Quebec could facilitate the transition to permanent residency for highly skilled temporary residents and maintain a pathway to permanent residency for international students who have graduated in Quebec. According to IQ, 'it is preferable to focus on permanent immigration rather than temporary residency' since 'people who choose to settle permanently make a greater contribution to Quebec society and the economy.' 'That said, temporary residents play an essential role in meeting certain specific labour market needs or serving as a gateway to permanent residence for skilled profiles,' adds IQ. The institute says it has also explored scenarios where Quebec would set its permanent immigration thresholds at 35,000 or 60,000, but believes that this would force the province to take in more temporary residents to meet needs. There are currently around 600,000 temporary residents in Quebec. For several months now, Quebec Premier François Legault has been hammering home the point that Quebec's capacity to take in newcomers has been exceeded and that temporary residents are putting pressure on housing and public services. – This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 4, 2024.
CBC
28-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
N.W.T. minister heading to Ottawa next week to follow up on nominee program changes
A Northwest Territories minister is heading to Ottawa to follow up on the territory's requests for its nominee program. On Tuesday, MLAs asked for more information about redesigning the the nominee program on behalf of people anticipating 2026 applications. Education, Culture and Employment Minister Caitlin Cleveland will travel to Ottawa next week. The Northwest Territories Nominee Program already saw changes earlier this year. Federally imposed cuts meant the number of spots in the program, which are commonly filled by people seeking permanent residency and individuals with expiring work permits, were cut in half. The program attracts foreign nationals looking to immigrate to Canada, those already here with expiring work permits and individuals seeking permanent residency. This year there were 90 spots for new applications and 60 for applications from 2024 —150 spots total compared to what used to be 300 spots. "Restoring the allocation to 300, asking the federal government to engage directly with GNWT and N.W.T. stakeholders, allowing the GNWT to extend work permits for a two year N.W.T. specific timeframe and to enhance support for settlement services. These are all fantastic pieces," said Great Slave MLA Kate Reid. Cleveland discussed she has already expressed the issue to the federal government by letter. Reid added that she has heard concerns about the requests, specifically from program hopefuls worried about being left with little to no option but to extend their work permit, consequently being left out of program applications next year. In response to the federal cuts, the N.W.T. government limited this year's applications for the program to those whose work permits are set to expire in a year or less. Reid said the problem is if someone's work permit is extended two years, then with the current set up, they would be ineligible to apply for the nominee program next year. "It's important for them to get clarity on whether the GNWT will continue to only consider applications of those applicants whose permits are set to expire within a year or less," said Reid, Cleveland said the decision to limit it this year was based on the immediate concerns she received. "One thing that quickly became apparent was that there was concern over people whose work permits would be expiring in January and February of 2026 …There is never an intention to design a program that has a gap," said Cleveland. "Certainly I do know that going into next year that we have more people interested in the program than we currently have spaces for." People on maternity leave are left in limbo, says MLA In advance of Cleveland's trip to Ottawa, MLA for Range Lake, Kieron Testart brought up a separate part of the program he'd like to see addressed. Testart said he's heard from program hopefuls that are expecting children. He said if someone goes on maternity leave it makes them ineligible to apply. "What is the minister doing to ensure that expecting parents aren't excluded from this program? Or is the message that women must delay pregnancy in order to qualify?" Cleveland said she is aware of the leave provision and it is something she is also looking to address.
Bloomberg
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
UK Set to Make It Harder for Migrants to Get Permanent Residency
The UK is drawing up plans to make it harder for migrants to get permanent residency in Britain, as Keir Starmer's government tries to show progress on cutting immigration. Under the current system, migrants can apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK after they have lived and worked there for five years. The government is planning to extend that period to as long as 10 years for some migrants, with the measure due to be included in a package of reforms soon to be published by the Home Office, according to a person familiar with the matter.
