Budget 2024: Fairness for every generation – My Top 6 Immigration Takeaways
Our annual budget drives the direction of immigration policy and programming in Canada. Where the money goes, so too goes the future of immigration in the coming years. To better understand this future, I reviewed “Budget 2024: Fairness for every generation” and have set out below my top six takeaways.
Stabilization of the Refugee System: The budget allocates significant resources ($743.5 million over five years) to IRCC, CBSA, and IRB to prop up the refugee system. Claims are off the charts, and sufficient resources to handle the spike have been needed for some time. The increased funding is expected to help streamline the refugee claims process to ensure quicker decisions and removals for those whose claims are denied. As options for PR continue to dwindle for current TFWs in Canada, I sure hope IRCC does not expect anything to change overnight. No amount of money you throw at it will curb the increase in the number of existing TRs looking to the refugee process as their last chance of remaining in Canada.
Sustainable Immigration Strategy: The budget emphasizes managing immigration levels to align with Canada's economic needs and housing capacities. Many of us saw this coming for years. In fact, the moment Express Entry was launched in 2015, and CRS scores started to climb, Express Entry began its transition into a made-in-Canada system that increasingly prioritized Canadian experience over human capital. Foreign nationals seeking Canadian PR were faced with the reality that the only pathway to PR through Express Entry was through job offers with Canadian companies or via the international student program. Recently, French language ability has taken center stage; however, the instability in our Levels Planning was directly impacted by the increasing numbers of temporary foreign workers and international students in Canada.
So, when people wonder how we arrived at international student numbers rivalling those of the United States, Express Entry takes half the blame. The remaining blame falls on a lack of adequate Levels of Planning for temporary residents in Canada. For the first time, the fall Immigration Levels Plan will include targets for both temporary and permanent residents. Greater emphasis will now be placed on balancing the levels with actual labour market needs while ensuring that the overall infrastructure has the capacity to handle the projected numbers.
Support for Newcomers Through Legal Aid and Credential Recognition: The budget proposes increased funding for legal aid to support immigrants and refugees, ensuring their rights are protected and proceedings are fair. Additionally, $50 million is allocated to streamline the recognition of foreign credentials, particularly in the construction and health sectors, to facilitate quicker integration of skilled immigrants into the workforce. Credential recognition has been on the agenda for many years, and it is unlikely that $50 million allocated to study the issue further will have any meaningful effect in the short term. The problem rests with Provincial and professional governing bodies that take a gatekeeper approach to licensing. It is clear that we do not want to sacrifice public safety by lowering the bar too low; however, we also do not want to perpetuate barriers that prevent highly talented and capable newcomers from working in the regulated fields that so desperately need them.
Adjustment of Temporary Resident Intakes: In response to the massive surge in temporary residents, the budget outlines measures to moderate the pace of temporary resident admissions. In fact, we are already seeing the implementation of these measures. IRCC has rolled out new caps on study permit applications, causing quite the turmoil for prospective applicants and the education industry as a whole. Let’s face it: international students are big business... some reports suggest contributions of over $22 billion per year to the Canadian economy.
And it's not just the schools that benefit. There are many hands in that cookie jar. With the recent government changes, the cookies are going to disappear fast. For those involved in this highly lucrative industry, I recommend you read “Who Moved My Cheese” by Spencer Johnson. It is a great little motivational book emphasizing the importance of anticipating, adapting to, and enjoying change. Like it or not, the world of international students in Canada will never be the same. It may be time to consider moving to find different cheese.
Changes are also underway to the eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit and Spousal Open Work Permit programs. Both are expected to see significantly reduced numbers going forward. All of these measures are designed primarily to ease housing pressures while also safeguarding international students.
Focus on Economic and Community Integration: The budget acknowledges that successful immigration extends beyond initial entry. Adjustments to the immigration system are intended to ensure that newcomers can successfully integrate into Canadian society and the labour market, including ensuring they have access to affordable housing and adequate social supports.
When we hear stories of 12 or more people living in three-bedroom homes and emergency room wait times skyrocketing, something has to give. In Canada, we are expected to contribute our fair share fo taxes to the benefit of everyone in our society. Canadians and existing PRs share these social supports with newcomers. It is in everyone’s best interest to see new PRs land on their feet and integrate fully into our labour market as quickly as possible.
Properly funded language training, employment services, and housing assistance can make all the difference in newcomers quickly landing on their feet. And this applies equally to economic PRs as much as it does to those coming through our refugee and humanitarian programs. However, our intake of new PRs and TRs must be managed properly so that these finite resources can support the numbers being admitted.
The 2024 Budget charts a new roadmap for immigration in Canada, but no one can ignore the elephant in the room. We have an election looming next year, and like it or not, immigration is likely going to become a wedge issue.
Targeted Draws for Express Entry Unlikely to Change: Many Express Entry candidates are wondering if IRCC intends to make any changes to the list of category-based draws. Throughout the budget, reference was made directly or indirectly to all six categories of targeted draws. Not surprisingly, particular emphasis was placed on construction (Trades), healthcare, and information technology (STEM), with specific funding going to these industries. However, it is unlikely anything will change regarding French language, transport, and agriculture as each of these were also addressed within the budget.
But were there any "up and coming" sectors that seem to be on the government’s radar? The answer is yes! Foreign nationals looking to study in Canada and potentially stick around in an increasingly competitive PR market will want to consider studies in these sectors that will receive budgetary support in the coming years: clean technology and clean energy, electric vehicle supply chain, critical minerals strategy, and the biofuels sector. Programs of study in these sectors will likely lead to better job opportunities and increased prospects of pathways to PR.
As we wrap up, just remember: Canada's 2024 Budget isn’t just numbers and policies – it’s the blueprint for our immigration story in the coming years. For all of us caught up in this, whether you're trying to make Canada your home, helping others to do so, or simply watching the story unfold, it’s about staying in the loop and being ready for change. Because if there is one constant within the world of Canadian immigration, it is change.
About the Author:
MARK HOLTHE
Canadian Immigration Lawyer