Canada's Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, has granted a request from the Manitoba government to prolong the temporary resident status for select nominees identified within the province's Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
According to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), these nominees, primarily holders of Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP), are facing the expiration of their work permits in 2024. They are currently part of the pool for the Manitoba Skilled Worker Program, designed to address crucial job vacancies in the province.
This temporary extension allows approximately 6,700 temporary workers to continue their employment while the province progresses with their PNP applications. Manitoba anticipates that eligible foreign nationals will receive an official nomination from Manitoba and eventually transition to permanent residency within a two-year timeframe.
IRCC has expressed its willingness to collaborate with other provinces and territories across Canada to facilitate the transition of additional temporary residents into permanent residency, aiming to meet national labor market demands. Further details may emerge subsequent to the Federation of Ministers Responsible for Immigration (FMRI) meeting scheduled for May 10th.
Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program
Manitoba pioneered the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in Canada, launching it in 1998 to attract immigrants who might otherwise settle in major urban hubs like Toronto or Vancouver.
The program's success in distributing the economic advantages of immigration was so remarkable that it was adopted by all Canadian provinces and territories, excluding Quebec and Nunavut.
According to IRCC data, in 2023 alone, 10,000 individuals in Manitoba transitioned from temporary worker status to permanent residents.
From January to March of this year, the province issued 1,560 expressions of Interest to skilled worker candidates, resulting in 1,478 approvals.
Furthermore, statistics reveal that in 2022, 20% of all permanent resident admissions were through the PNP. Canada's Immigration Levels Plan, which outlines the country's annual targets for permanent resident admissions, aims to welcome 110,000 new permanent residents by the end of 2024, and 120,000 per year in both 2025 and 2026, facilitated through the PNP.
Changes to temporary resident levels
This initiative stands out within Canada's immigration landscape and reflects a previously declared priority for the current year and beyond. On March 21 of this year, Minister Miller outlined plans to conduct more domestic draws aimed at facilitating the transition of temporary residents to permanent residency.
In essence, IRCC intends to collaborate with individuals already residing in Canada to support their journey toward permanent residency, rather than increasing the previously unrestricted influx of temporary residents annually. In 2023, Canada's temporary resident population surpassed 2.5 million people, constituting 6.2% of the total population.
During 2023, 157,000 individuals transitioned from temporary residency to permanent residency.
These adjustments to Canada's temporary resident levels coincide with challenges such as a shortage of affordable housing for both newcomers and Canadians, strained healthcare systems, and a high cost of living. Throughout 2023, various polls indicated a decline in support for high levels of immigration.
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