On 26th November 2024, the Canadian minister of Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) expressed his plans for major reforms to the country’s refugee system. The proposal to change is to be brought by fast-tracking the refusals of any application that seems to have less chance of succeeding by asylum seeker. Marc Miller told the parliamentary committee, “I plan to put forward more measures. I want to reform the system. It’s not working in the way it should.”
Since generations, Canada has ranked as a top immigrant destination. Many skilled workers aspire to enter the country for a better and secure future. Canada has a sophisticated tax system which provides many opportunities to its local nationals. Canada’s diversity reflects its strength as a nation, where people from all over the world contribute to its culture and innovation. However, with large number of immigrants coming in every year, local nationals are now facing growing challenges. Such as affording a house, availing public services like healthcare and increasing unemployment gap.
Why is Canada fast-tracking refugee refusals?
Since few months, Canada has been experiencing a hike in the number of refugee claims. The highest recorded number so far is 260,000 pending applications. This huge influx of claims include application mostly filed by international students. While a decline to 17,400 was observed in October, down from 20,000 in July, the situation continues to strain Canada’s immigration system.
This trend is not entirely new. In the past there have been instances where international students in Canada were unable to meet the minimum requirements for permanent residency. This also resulted over 70,000 international student graduates in Canada facing deportation. To avoid leaving the country, these students resorted to filing for refugee claims. As a result of this, Canada started implementing changes in the federal immigration policy that aimed to control the high number of refugee claims, made baselessly by desperate international students.
The Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who had previously welcomed immigrants to Canada is now taking necessary steps to reduce the number of immigrants. Over the next two years, the government has set a target to manage the immigration population growth by implementing measures that will regulate the inflow of immigrants to Canada.
Key changes in the immigration policies
To address fairness and sustainability concerns regarding the international student program of Canada, immigration minister Marc Miller has introduced new rules in January 2024. One essential issue addressed was that of the cost-of-living requirement, which remained the same since the early 2000s. This has been made effective from 1st January 2024, for a single application, applicants are now required to show an amount of $20,635 as ‘proof-of-funds’. This represents 75% of the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) rate. This change was primarily introduced to ensure that international students have sufficient financial resources to support themselves without facing funding shortages.
What is the low-income cutoff rate?
Low-income Cut-off rate is a standard set by Canadian government to identify families and individuals who most likely spend large amounts of their income on the basic necessities, such as food, clothing and shelter. It represents the income level that a household has, which is considered as low income.
Changes continued…
In, 2024, a total of 360,000 study permits were approved this reflects 35% reduction compared to 2023. The IRCC released information on planning of immigration level for the years 2025-2027. For better management of immigration system, the government has set a target to reduce the newcomers from 395,000 in the year 2025, to 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 for 2027.
Therefore, many immigration policies are going through continuous reforms so that Canada can provide stable opportunities to its immigrants. All these efforts will also help to bridge the unemployment gap of 6% that Canada is currently facing.
A balanced approach to immigration in Canada
Canada’s recent reforms show significant shift in its immigration and refugee policies. The changes have been made with the aim to address the challenges posed by population growth. The measures implemented such as revising the cost-of living, fast-tracking low profile refugee claims and capping applications of international students, are equitable approach to benefit both the local residents and newcomers. The steps taken by the government reflects the commitment to preserve Canada’s diversity and economy.
How can our immigration lawyers help?
Navigating the recent changes made by the Canadian government can be complex. We at Nanda & Associate Lawyers come in with deep understanding of evolving immigration policies of Canada. Our experienced team of immigration lawyers are here to give you tailored legal guidance to ensure compliance with the latest regulations. Choosing our immigration lawyers will simplify your immigration journey and maximize your chances of success in Canada’s dynamic system. To get trusted advice and guidance on your immigration connect with us at 905-405-0199 now!
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