OTTAWA — Immigration Minister Marc Miller has confirmed that further reforms to Canada’s immigration and asylum systems will be proposed in the coming weeks. This follows recent changes, including a significant reduction in the number of permanent residents targeted for admission to Canada over the next two years and stricter regulations regarding temporary worker permits.
Reforming Canada’s Immigration and Asylum System
During a House of Commons immigration committee session, Miller emphasized that Canada’s current asylum and refugee system is not functioning efficiently due to overwhelming volumes and systemic inefficiencies. The government is targeting reform to address growing challenges and improve the process.
“The growing claims that we see now, inland, are not unexpected. They stem from individuals who have fewer options to stay in Canada, with some being advised to file asylum claims, despite not meeting the criteria,” Miller stated. Inland asylum claims, those made outside regular entry points, have surged, with 635 claims processed between January and September 2024.
Increasing Asylum Claims Among Student Visa Holders
Miller also noted that an increasing number of individuals on student visas are filing asylum claims. This trend has raised concerns, especially as the average wait time for processing refugee and asylum claims reaches around 44 months.
The issue remains emotionally charged, with protesters from the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change voicing their concerns during the committee session, holding signs demanding rights and opposing deportations.
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Changes in Immigration Policy Amid Ongoing Debate
Amid growing debate, NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan argued that recent changes to immigration policies unfairly scapegoat migrants for issues such as the housing crisis. In response, Miller reaffirmed that becoming a permanent resident or Canadian citizen is not a right but a privilege.
“There are nuances to this issue. We aim to have 40 percent of new permanent residents come from people already residing in Canada,” Miller added. As of the end of September, nearly 250,000 refugee claims remained pending, with 48,000 asylum claims processed this year.
The upcoming reforms aim to address these challenges and create a more efficient system, though tensions surrounding immigration policy continue to evolve across the country.
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