Marc Miller the Minister of IRCC’s Speaking Notes: Strengthening Canada’s Temporary Resident Programs and Migration Pathways

Over the next three years, we expect these changes to yield approximately 300,000 fewer study permit holders.

As of November 1, we will institute a new language proficiency requirement for post-graduation work permit applicants that is aligned with requirements for permanent residence streams.

A Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates will be required for anyone applying for a post-graduation work permit on or after November 1, 2024.

And for prospective students applying on or after November 1, post-graduation work permit eligibility will depend on the level of study—graduates from bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs will remain eligible for a work permit of up to three years. These graduates are more likely to acquire transferable knowledge and skills, and be able to adapt to changing economic circumstances over the long term.

Graduates from programs at public colleges will only be eligible for a work permit of up to three years only if their field of study is linked to labour market shortages in Canada.

These changes will ensure that graduates have the skills and work opportunities to successfully integrate into Canada’s labour market and potentially transition to permanent residence.

Over the next three years, we expect these changes to yield approximately 175,000 fewer post-graduation work permits.

In the near future, we will also take further measures to restrict eligibility for spousal open work permits.

We will be further limiting work permit eligibility for spouses of students in doctoral and certain master’s programs, select professional programs, and certain pilot programs.

Over the next three years, we expect these changes to yield approximately 50,000 fewer work permits for the spouses of students group.

We will also be limiting work permit eligibility to include only spouses of highly skilled, specialized workers such as C-suite executives, scientists, engineers, lawyers, professors and technicians, or of workers in sectors where there are key labour shortages.

Spouses of workers in critical sectors, like health care and construction, will continue to be eligible for work permits.

Over the next three years, we expect these changes to yield approximately 100,000 fewer work permits for this group of spouses.

With the changes in the last couple of years, the context has changed and we see new threats trying to exploit our immigration programs.

To that end, I have asked my deputy minister to review how visa officers make decisions in this new context, including the tools, training, analysis and procedures used to approve temporary resident visas.

Working with my colleague, Minister Boissonnault, I will bring in further measures later this year to detect and prevent fraud in temporary worker programs.

Conclusion

As we continue to adapt our immigration to new challenges and needs, we will explore any and all necessary changes required to identify and mitigate threats to our immigration programs.

We have listened to Canadians, including our provincial, territorial, and municipal partners and community leaders, and we will continue to protect the integrity of our system and grow our population responsibly.

Immigration is vital for Canada, and we have a long-standing tradition of welcoming those who work hard to make Canada their home. With these changes, we are making immigration work for our country so everyone has access to the quality jobs, homes and supports they need to thrive.

By November 1, I will table the annual immigration levels plan for 2025 to 2027 that will reflect the needs of our economy and communities. To those who would complain about worker shortages, here’s my message: there’s no better time to hire and invest in Canadian workers.

Thank you.