The Canadian government is prepared to maintain immigration-friendly policies.
What role has immigration historically played in Canada?
Similar to the United States, immigration has had a significant impact on the Canadian society and culture. After attaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1867, Canada utilized immigration to develop vast tracts of land. Government-sponsored information campaigns and recruiters encouraged immigrants of that era to settle in rural, peripheral areas.
However, not all immigrants were accepted. The policies of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries prevented or discouraged the immigration of certain groups, such as those of non-European and non-Christian origins, as well as the impoverished, ill, and disabled. During the postwar period, Canada’s immigration calculus shifted as refugees and others fled Europe, public attitudes toward outsiders softened, and economic development necessitated a larger workforce. As a consequence of Cold War tensions, Canada granted anti-Communist and Soviet bloc immigrants preferential treatment.
In the 1960s and 1970s, legislation laid the framework for Canada’s current immigration regime, which embraces multiculturalism. After Ottawa implemented a points-based system for evaluating applicants in 1967, immigration from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean increased. A 1971 policy was the first to articulate the government’s support for cultural diversity, and a 1976 law codified Canada’s commitment to refugees by requiring federal and provincial officials to devise immigration targets jointly. It also portrayed immigration as a means of achieving the nation’s cultural, economic, and social goals.
Long ago, immigration has played a crucial role in Canada’s economy, supplying a relatively young flow of employees. As the native-born labour force ages and the fertility rate remains low, at approximately 1,4 births per woman, far below the global average of 2,4, the importance of immigrants has increased. Despite efforts to attract this category of immigrants, Canada continues to experience a shortage of competent labourers. Today, more than one-quarter of Canada’s labour force consists of immigrants.
What do Canadians think about immigration?
The Canadian public has viewed immigration favourably for decades. Less than 30 percent of Canadians surveyed in 2022 felt immigration levels are too excessive. In general, Canadians have a more favourable view of immigrants and their country’s immigration system than their American counterparts. This is due in part to the Canadian government’s efforts to promote multiculturalism, embrace diversity, and incorporate it into the national identity. Canada also lacks large-scale illegal immigration, a problem that has fuelled anti-immigrant sentiment in many other nations, including the United States. Nonetheless, research indicates that public support for immigration may be susceptible to a decline, as it has been during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Canada immigration friendly policies
Immigration minister Marco Mendocino recently reaffirmed Canada’s attitude towards immigrants and efforts to maintain the immigration process.
Canada has a long history of welcoming immigrants, and its immigration policies are intended to promote economic growth. Immigration, according to the minister, will be crucial to the success and economic recovery of Canada following the Coronavirus crisis. In the future, it is anticipated that immigrants will contribute to the country’s economic development.
Mendocino stated that the country will require immigrants for economic development due to the declining ratio of workers to retirees and the impending retirement of baby boomers. As a result, local employers will compete to hire qualified immigrants. This will improve employment opportunities and wages for immigrants.
IRCC continues to operate
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is attempting to provide uninterrupted immigration services to those applying for or planning to apply for a Canadian visa. The IRCC continues to operate remotely and process visa applications.
Foreign temporary employees are invited
During this pandemic, the Canadian government is issuing visas through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) in an effort to keep the economy operating and support Canadian workers.
The government has agreed to continue the TFWP category in order to support Canadian industries such as agriculture, agri-food, food processing, and transportation.
Student-friendly regulations
The Canadian government recognizes the economic contribution of international students. There are over 620,000 international students in the country, who annually contribute approximately $22 billion to the economy.
To mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on international students, the government has enacted special measures for them and for incoming students.
During the current crisis, international students who desire to extend their stay in Canada are now eligible for implied status. This permits them to remain in Canada until their request for an extension of stay is granted.
More working hours: The IRCC restricts international students to 20 hours of employment per week during their studies. However, as a result of COVID-19, these restrictions have been lifted and these students can now labour over 20 hours per week until the end of August. They are permitted to work longer hours in ten priority sectors, including:
Energy and utilities
Information and Communication Technologies
- Finance
- Health
- Food
- Water
- Transportation
- Safety
- Government
- Manufacturing
CERB payment: The Canadian government has established the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), which will offer up to $500 per week in financial assistance to those who are pandemic-affected. International students are eligible for the CERB benefit if they satisfy the eligibility requirements.
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is essential for international students to acquire Canadian work experience, which is a significant factor when applying for permanent residence in Canada. The IRCC has announced that students commencing their studies in May or June may begin their programs online without jeopardizing their PGWP eligibility.
Canada continues to revise its immigration policies in order to sustain the influx of immigrants and assist those already residing in the country. After the coronavirus pandemic, the country will be able to rely on the contribution of immigrants to its economic development, thanks to the immigration reforms.
