Canada is on the brink of a significant population shift, and not everyone is on board with the plan. Recently, the Government of Canada made an announcement that it would be decreasing the number of permanent resident visas, leading to a mass exodus of residents. With 1.2 million temporary resident visas set to expire next year, the country is preparing for an influx of refugee claims as these individuals seek alternative paths to staying in Canada.
- Canada Is Cutting 900k Temporary Residents, Still Double 2021
The Government of Canada has decided to reduce the number of temporary residents by 891,000 over the next two years. This comes after a substantial increase of the temporary resident population by 150% since 2021, reaching a high of 2.96 million people. The move aims to bring the temporary resident population back to around 2 million residents by the end of 2026, which interestingly doubles the numbers from 2021.
The government’s strategy of initially proposing extreme policies and then scaling them back to appear more reasonable is a familiar tactic to the public. However, this approach has significant consequences for the individuals affected by these decisions, particularly the 1.2 million whose visas are set to expire next year.
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Canada Expects 1.2 Million Temporary Residents To Leave Next Year
Canada anticipates a significant exodus of 1.2 million temporary residents next year, depending on various factors such as churn in the population. Approximately 40% of permanent resident spots are expected to be set aside for temporary residents, allowing about 158,000 individuals to transition to permanent residency. The rest will either depart before their visa expiration or face removal if they overstay their visas. - Canada Sees A Sudden Surge of Residents Claiming To Be Refugees
One trend that has emerged in response to the impending population reduction is an increase in refugee claims. As of September, Canada has seen 133,000 refugee claims this year, marking a 38% increase from the previous year. Notably, over 63% of these claims were filed by individuals already residing in the country, a significant shift from previous filing patterns.
International students, in particular, have contributed to this surge in refugee claims, with approximately 13,700 claims filed by individuals on study permits. This unprecedented volume of claims has raised eyebrows within the government, with Immigration Minister Marc Miller noting the suspicious timing of these claims.
In conclusion, Canada is facing a complex demographic challenge as it navigates the departure of a large number of temporary residents. The impact of these decisions will be felt by individuals seeking new pathways to remain in the country, as well as by policymakers struggling to manage the fallout from this population adjustment. As Canada grapples with these changes, it serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between government policies and individual circumstances in shaping a nation’s demographic landscape.
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