1.2 MILLION RESIDENTS TO LEAVE CANADA
Immigration law
13 Feb
Canada is
grappling with a big immigration dilemma: by 2025, more than 1.2 million
temporary residents will see their permits expire. Will they leave as planned,
or will Canada face a spike in undocumented residents?
Canada is
bracing for 1.2 million temporary residents to head out next year. It's like a
revolving door on overdrive-how many people leave really depends on how many
new ones show up. If the turnover’s high, we’re in for a full-on shuffle, like
a game of musical chairs, but with more suitcases and fewer seats.
The country
plans to allocate around 40% of its permanent resident slots to temporary
residents, equating to approximately 158,000 visas in the coming year. This
means nearly one-sixth of temporary residents could transition to permanent status.
Depending on the number of new arrivals, some may secure a new visa or permit.
The remaining individuals are expected to depart before their visa expires, or
they may be removed from the country.
It’s a big
headache for the 1.2 million temporary resident visas set to expire next year-cue
the surge in refugee claims from those still hanging around. Despite some
grumbling about the plan, Canada’s still on track to see hundreds of thousands
of people make their exit. Looks like it’s going to be a game of
"goodbye" on a massive scale.
A surprising
twist in Canada's immigration story is that international
students are now doubling as refugees. According to the Globe, a whopping
13.7k of this year's refugee claims (so far) come from people on study permits.
That's 4.5 times the usual volume, which is basically unheard of. Canada might
soon need a new category for "refugees who forgot their textbooks."
It looks like
more people are choosing to make asylum
claims, or refugee claims, as a way to stay in Canada. By September this
year, there were 133k claims that is 38% more than last year. What's
interesting is that 63.9% of these claims were made by people already in
Canada, at offices within the country. Normally, about half of all claims come
from inside Canada, so this big jump in inland claims is a big reason why the
numbers are so high this year.
Close to 14,000
asylum applications have been submitted by international students in Canada as
of 2024. These students are making valid
refugee claims, but the timing. Well,
that's raising some eyebrows. According to the government, it’s a bit
suspicious. "It’s pretty obvious when someone’s been here for a year or
more and suddenly decides to claim asylum, especially when nothing’s changed
back home," said Immigration Minister Marc Miller. "It just doesn’t
look or smell right." So, if you're claiming asylum after acing your
midterms, maybe reconsider the timing.
Canada has long
been regarded as a global leader in immigration, providing numerous
opportunities for individuals to study, work, and settle. However, in the past
two years, the country has experienced a population boom that has altered its
future path.
Experts have
likened this growth to the postwar baby boom, calling it one of the most
significant demographic changes in Canada’s modern history. This rapid increase
was driven by immigration policies that were greatly expanded after the
Covid-19 pandemic.
Labour shortages
and economic needs have led Canada to accept an unprecedented influx of both
temporary and permanent residents. However, this growth has come with its
challenges. The country’s infrastructure, particularly housing, has struggled
to keep up. Rent prices have soared to record levels, with major cities like
Toronto and Vancouver at the forefront.
In Toronto, the
average rent for a one-bedroom apartment now surpasses $2,500 per month. At
this rate, you might need to start renting out your couch just to afford the
place. And it's not just the rent that's giving people a headache – public
services like healthcare and transit are feeling the strain too. The TTC’s
slogan could soon be: "Get on board... if you can find a seat… or a
train."
The population
surge has outpaced available resources, and a big part of this rapid growth is
the influx of temporary residents, those on short-term work or study permits.
While they have certainly given the economy a boost, their sheer numbers have
exposed some not-so-hidden gaps in Canada's
immigration system. It's like trying to squeeze a moose into a canoe-things
are getting crowded, and the government is scrambling to find a paddle.
So, here’s the
fun bit: 1.2 million temporary residents in Canada are expected to pack up and
leave when their status expires in 2025 - sounds like an ambitious plan, right?
But let’s be real, given Canada’s charm
and its unbeatable friendliness, the idea of voluntarily leaving could
feel like walking away from a warm, cozy blanket on a cold winter day. Besides,
where else can you experience the beauty of a snowfall that’s almost magical,
or have a heart-to-heart with a stranger about hockey? In other words, while
the clock may be ticking for these 1.2 million, whether they actually leave
might just depend on how hard it is to say goodbye to those iconic Canadian
winter scenes and the irresistibly kind people.