Recently, Immigration Minister Marc Miller convened with provincial and territorial immigration ministers in Toronto for a pivotal meeting. This assembly, known as the Federation of Ministers Responsible for Immigration (FMRI), occurs biannually and serves as a decision-making body aimed at fostering a flexible, timely, and effective immigration system for Canada.
Key Highlights from the November 17, 2023 Meeting
Post the meeting, Minister Miller addressed the press, emphasizing key points from the Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026. This plan, designed to promote sustainable population growth and support sectors like healthcare and construction, was a focal point. The federal and provincial ministers jointly released a statement highlighting crucial discussions:
- Streamlining Economic Class Programs: A shared goal to reduce duplication and processing times in federal-provincial economic class immigration programs.
- Support for Francophone Immigration: A commitment to bolster Francophone immigration outside Quebec.
- Client-Centered Economic Immigration: Striving for a more responsive economic immigration system.
- Foreign Credential Recognition: Initiatives to reduce barriers and streamline the recognition of foreign credentials.
- Addressing Social Pressures: Collaborative efforts to handle housing, infrastructure, and social service challenges arising from immigration.
- Settlement Services Expansion: Considering an expansion of settlement services eligibility, particularly for asylum claimants and temporary residents on a path to permanent residence.
- Enhancing International Student Program Integrity: Initiatives to improve the integrity of Canada’s International Student Program.
- Aligning Work Permits with Labor Market Needs: Ensuring work permits align with provincial-territorial labor market requirements.
Multi-Year Provincial Levels Plan
Building on the momentum from the March meeting in Halifax, where a multi-year levels plan for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) was endorsed, provinces can now receive PNP allocations up to three years in advance. This strategic approach allows provinces to plan adequately for settlement services, housing, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Synergy with Canada’s New Immigration Strategy
The FMRI discussions align with Canada’s new immigration strategy, emphasizing increased consultations with provinces. The recently released Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026 aims to admit up to 500,000 new permanent residents annually, with a significant portion—110,000 in 2024 and 120,000 in 2025 and 2026—arriving through the PNP.
Shared Responsibility: Immigration Landscape in Canada
Canada’s immigration landscape involves close collaboration between federal and provincial authorities, as outlined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. While provinces can nominate economic immigration candidates, the final decision rests with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Recent Provincial Nominee Program Draws
Coinciding with the FMRI meeting, four provinces conducted draws for their Provincial Nominee Programs:
- British Columbia (BC): BC invited over 219 candidates across various streams, including a targeted draw for construction occupations.
- Manitoba: Inviting 301 candidates across Skilled Worker and International Education streams.
- Prince Edward Island (PEI): Issuing 141 invitations, with a focus on Labour, Express Entry, and Business Work Permit Entrepreneur candidates.
- Alberta: Extending invitations to 16 Express Entry candidates in the Dedicated Healthcare Pathway.
Conclusion: Shaping Canada’s Immigration Landscape
The recent ministerial meeting and provincial draws underscore the collaborative efforts shaping Canada’s immigration landscape. As provinces align their priorities with the federal government, the focus remains on fostering sustainable growth, addressing challenges, and ensuring a robust and inclusive immigration system for the future.
