MONTREAL- Immigration Minister Marc Miller revealed to the Commons immigration committee that nearly five million temporary permits will expire by the end of 2025, with authorities anticipating most permit holders will depart voluntarily from Canada.
The breakdown of expiring permits includes 766,000 foreign students, who are currently experiencing substantial challenges due to recent policy changes. Conservative MP Tom Kmiec raised concerns about ensuring compliance with the mass visa expiration.
7 Lakh Students in Canada
Miller confirmed that comprehensive monitoring mechanisms are established through the Canada Border Services Agency to investigate and address potential permit violations. The agency will track and manage the large-scale permit expirations.
Not all temporary residents will be required to leave the country. Some permit holders will qualify for renewals or postgraduate work permits. These specialized permits, ranging from nine months to three years, enable foreign students with Canadian academic credentials to gain critical work experience.
Postgraduate work permits serve a strategic purpose, allowing international graduates to accumulate professional experience in Canada.
Protest by Punjabi Students
Since August 2024, Punjab-origin students have been staging a prolonged protest in Brampton, camping in tents to challenge Canada’s evolving immigration policies. These students arrived in Canada with expectations of long-term residency, now confronting unexpected policy shifts.
Immigration department data reveals a dramatic surge in foreign student numbers. As of May 2023, over one million international students were present in Canada. Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) increased nearly threefold from 2018, reaching 396,235 by the end of 2023.
However, the current immigration environment presents significant challenges. Hundreds of thousands of PGWP holders face imminent permit expirations within the next year, creating intense competition for permanent residency opportunities.
Canada has implemented aggressive measures to control international student immigration. The country reduced international student permits by 35% in 2024 and plans an additional 10% reduction in 2025. Housing market pressures drive these restrictive policy changes.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller highlighted another critical concern: an increasing number of students filing asylum claims. The ministry intends to expedite claim processing to eliminate fraudulent applications.
Criticizing Trudeau
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has intensified criticism against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s immigration approach, highlighting significant challenges in the country’s current temporary resident management strategy.
Poilievre referenced official government data indicating nearly five million temporary residents will be required to exit Canada by the end of 2025. He directly challenged the Trudeau administration’s immigration policies, arguing they have generated substantial uncertainty for temporary residents.
The Conservative leader asserted that the current government has failed to effectively address housing shortages while simultaneously managing immigration challenges.
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