Rise in Visa Rejections
Canada has started turning away more foreign visitors as immigration becomes a hot issue before the federal election. Recent data shows that more visitor visa applications were denied than approved in several months of 2024, including January, February, May, and June.
Fewer Study and Work Permits
Along with tourist visa rejections, fewer study and work permits have been approved. In July 2024, almost 6,000 travelers, including tourists, students, and workers, were refused entry. This marks the highest number of rejections since at least 2019. While there’s no official policy change, experts believe Canada is quietly shifting its immigration approach.
Changing Public Opinion
Polls show that more Canadians are becoming wary of immigration, partly due to rising living costs. Immigration lawyers are reporting an increase in visa rejections and a rise in negative attitudes toward immigrants. One lawyer in Nova Scotia mentioned that people now feel comfortable expressing their anti-immigrant views, something they didn’t do a few years ago.
Government Response and Changes
Immigration Minister Marc Miller recently announced that the government is rethinking its immigration process, including the number of people allowed permanent residency. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also said that the temporary foreign workers (TFW) program will be scaled back, following criticism from the UN for its treatment of workers.
In 2023, over 239,000 foreign workers were approved to work in Canada, more than double the number in 2018. The program has expanded into fast food and healthcare sectors, which need low-wage workers. Trudeau announced that industries with unemployment rates over 6% can no longer hire low-wage temporary workers, except for agriculture and food processing.
Potential Reduction in Permanent Residency
Trudeau hinted at possibly lowering the number of permanent residents allowed into Canada each year. While Canada has been increasing its immigration numbers, aiming for 485,000 permanent residents in 2024 and 500,000 in 2025, the government has announced a freeze to ensure the numbers are manageable.
Criticism from Opposition
Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has attacked Trudeau’s immigration policies, accusing him of allowing too many immigrants without fixing the housing crisis. Poilievre has promised that, if his party wins, Canada’s population growth will be tied to the number of houses being built.
