Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) wants to hear from organizations and the public as it develops Canada’s next Immigration Levels Plan, to be released in the fall, and works to improve its programs and services.
This is an opportunity for everyone with a stake in Canada’s immigration system to have a say in its future. We encourage organizations, businesses, and individuals to complete the online survey by the June 14 deadline.
Here’s how I’m thinking about and responding to the survey from my perspective:
The survey asks about how the current approach to “restore balance and control in the immigration system” has affected you, positively or negatively.
- We all recognize that public confidence in Canada’s immigration system has declined in recent years, and we all have a role to play in rebuilding trust. While the government has taken steps to reduce immigration levels and strengthen controls, many are concerned that there is no clear and positive long-term vision that explains why immigration remains essential to Canada’s future prosperity and sustainability. The effects of this increasingly negative conversation are being felt by newcomers and immigrant-serving organizations alike. It influences how people talk about immigration, how newcomers are treated, and how decisions are made on immigration-related issues. This is a serious concern.
- While levels of refugee claimants and asylum seekers are not part of the Levels Plan, I’m conscious of the legal changes to refugee and asylum laws, especially those in the recently enacted Bill C-12. Important concerns about possible negative impacts on legitimate asylum seekers have been raised by many. It is too early to fully understand and qualify those impacts.
I recommend that the government work with settlement and refugee groups to ensure that impact monitoring of changes to asylum law is carried out properly and transparently.
The survey asks about what changes, if any you would recommend to future temporary or permanent resident levels, and why.
- The economic and political analysis that informs temporary residents (TR) and permanent residents (PR) levels is complex. What is clear is that Canada will experience population decline and future labour shortages without sustained and possibly increased future immigration levels. However, linking targets to a % of total population, as is currently the focus, is not a comprehensive approach to the challenge. Immigration targets must be more than arrival numbers.
I recommend that the government establish clear, integrated measures of economic, social, and global impact as part of its Levels Plan and regularly report back to Canadians to help them understand how newcomers contribute to our communities and strengthen Canada.
- At this time, I’m particularly concerned about humanitarian class levels of planned government-assisted refugees (GARs) and privately sponsored refugees (PSRs) that form part of the overall Levels Plan. I believe Canada’s resettlement levels for refugees should be higher, given its historical tradition and successful integration.
In the immediate term, I recommend that the government should, at a minimum, commit to maintaining current Government-Assisted Refugee (GAR) and Privately Sponsored Refugee (PSR) resettlement levels. Moving forward, we should increase both humanitarian categories in a sustainable, measured way.
- One specific category of temporary residents is of particular concern: international student levels. While in the past the ‘no limits’ approach to this group caused pressures, the dramatic reductions and policy changes in the last two years have not necessarily addressed broader system issues. Canada needs a model that protects students, supports high-integrity institutions, and restores public confidence—without sacrificing the community impact, workforce contributions, and global connections that international students bring to BC and across Canada.
I recommend that the government establish a long-term strategic direction for international student numbers, working to re-establish Canada as a leading destination, while also considering local community capacity. This should consider how and when to gradually increase levels in a targeted and strategic way.
The survey asks about specific regional pressures, opportunities, or demographic changes to consider.
- Here in BC, we know from labour market analysis that we will face workforce shortages over the next decade at current levels of population growth and immigration. These shortages need to be understood in relation to specific regions, industries, and skills.
I recommend that the federal government establish clear immigration goals for BC in collaboration with the BC government, business, and civil society groups. In practice, this means convening a regional consultation body that can bring together diverse voices and report back to BC residents.
The survey asks, looking beyond 2029, what long-term considerations and priorities should guide Canada’s immigration system.
- Volatility and complexity in immigration levels are a significant challenge for communities, businesses, and the newcomers themselves (not to mention settlement organizations). The current immigration system needs to be clearer, more responsive, and better streamlined to attract and retain the very best global talent to meet the needs of local economies, continue our proud record of global humanitarian leadership, and provide Canadians with a long-term vision anchored in a population growth strategy.
ISSofBC is a signatory to The Canada We Believe In initiative, and I recommend that the government adopt the core principles outlined in its call to guide the long-term development of Canada’s immigration system.
Finally, the survey asks what challenges, barriers, or concerns exist in the immigration system that affect people’s ability to come to Canada and achieve positive outcomes.
- A government-led immigration plan will only address issues of public concern so far, especially if it is developed largely behind closed doors and focuses mainly on top-line numbers. I believe, as I think many others do, that the entire process of immigration planning needs to be redesigned to address the same global challenges the Prime Minister has identified.
I recommend that the Government of Canada and IRCC review and revise the immigration planning process and update the current annual Levels Plan to create a longer-term, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to development.
I also recommend that IRCC work with local communities and civil society groups to develop and implement a new communication plan to re-establish long-term support for immigration and trust in the immigration system.
These opinions and perspectives are based on what I hear and see in my role with ISSofBC, a long-standing and trusted provider of supports to newcomers of all types, and to the communities in which they settle. They are not comprehensive, and you may have different views.
However, simply put, there is no path to continued prosperity and to maintaining Canada’s reputation among nations other than thoughtful, fair, and strategic immigration policies and practices. Progress will come only from improving it with intention, evidence and care.
Please consider joining the debate, whatever your thoughts.
