In an unexpected turnaround, the Canadian government announced a historic decision regarding immigration, leaving many Algerians, among other foreigners residing in Canada, full of surprise and uncertainty about their future in this country.
Canada’s Immigration Minister has revealed that restrictions on temporary work permits for foreign workers will come into effect on May 1. This announcement marks the first time in Canadian history that the number of temporary foreign workers will be reduced, breaking a tradition of migration policy generally considered very open.
The Canadian government aims to reduce the number of temporary residents, including both students and workers, to just 5% over the next three years, from the current 6.2%, which equates to around 2.5 million people. This decision marks a significant change in Canada’s perspective on temporary immigration.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller noted that this recent increase in the number of temporary residents has become a major concern. This increase includes not only a growth in international students but also an increase in the number of foreign workers filling vacancies, as well as people fleeing conflicts and natural disasters in their home countries.
This initiative by the Canadian government comes at a time when the country’s labor market seems tighter than before. The number of job vacancies decreased by 3.6% during the fourth quarter of 2023, representing a decline for the sixth consecutive quarter compared to the record set in the second quarter of 2022.
Marc Miller highlighted the need to implement changes to adapt the immigration system to the changing needs of the labor market. According to him, these changes are essential to ensure sustainable growth in the future, and to make the immigration system more efficient and sustainable.
This decision by the Canadian government sparked mixed reactions among Algerians and other foreign communities residing in Canada. While some welcome efforts to regulate temporary immigration and preserve employment opportunities for Canadians, others express concern about the potential impact on their status and prospects in Canada.
It remains to be seen how these new immigration policies will be implemented and what their real implications will be for Algerians and other temporary residents in Canada. Meanwhile, these changes mark a significant turning point in the history of Canadian immigration and raise important questions about the future of the country’s migration policy.
