Since assuming power in 2015, they have pursued a policy of actively increasing the level of immigration. This has resulted in an increase in immigration from about 300,000 arrivals per year to the current target of over 400,000 per year.
Canada has revealed new priorities for its immigration policy.
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent a mandate letter outlining priorities for Canada’s immigration policy in 2022.
What is a Mandate Letter?
In Canada, the Prime Minister issues mandate letters each year that outline the priorities he expects from his ministers.
Then each minister and his respective department focus on realizing these priorities.
The mandate letter is the most important policy document that defines Canada’s immigration system.
Canada’s new Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser, and Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will have to implement the program that Justin Trudeau presented.
Here’s a quick summary of Canada’s new immigration priorities for 2022.
Canada’s Immigration Priorities in 2022
Application Processing: Reduce application processing times, including to address delays that have been impacted by COVID-19.
Express Entry: Create more permanent residency pathways through the Express Entry system for international students and temporary foreign workers.
Family reunification: Introduce electronic family reunification applications and implement a program to grant temporary residence to spouses and children abroad while they wait for their permanent residence applications to be processed.
Create a New Municipal Program: The goal of the MNP is to promote a wider distribution of immigration across Canada. The program was originally designated as a priority after the 2019 elections, but has been postponed due to the pandemic. In addition, the Immigration Minister should also provide more effective support for the immigration of small and medium-sized communities.
Waiving Canadian citizenship application fees: This was also prioritized by Trudeau after the 2019 elections, but has been delayed due to the pandemic.
Create a Trusted Employer System: Fraser will work with the Employment Minister to establish a Trusted Employer System for Canadian companies that hire temporary foreign workers. In addition, he is being asked to improve the Global Talent Stream program under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) by simplifying work permit renewals, upholding the two-week processing standard and creating an employer hotline.
Undocumented workers: Based on existing pilot programs, determine how to regulate the status of undocumented workers in Canada.
Immigration of French Speaking Applicants: Continue working with the Province of Quebec to support the French language skills of immigrants in Quebec, and continue to advance the national Francophone immigration strategy.
Afghan refugees: Achieve Canada’s goal to resettle 40,000 Afghan refugees.
Canada increases immigration since 2015.
Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party was re-elected for a third term in September 2021.
