World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to helping international students, immigrants, and refugees achieve their educational and career goals in the United States and Canada. The weekly roundup includes research, stories, and events of interest to the Canadian immigration and settlement community. This content has been created by WES and is reproduced here with their permission, in partnership.
Canada to restrict low-wage foreign workers, consider lower immigration targets (CTV)
The federal government recently announced changes to the longstanding temporary foreign worker program (TFWP), implementing new measures to restrict the number of low-wage workers from abroad. Ottawa is re-introducing pre-pandemic rules that provided significant barriers to access lower-cost foreign labour. According to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ottawa had previously loosened restrictions to support businesses that were facing labour shortages and recover from the economic fallout of the pandemic. The Prime Minister also shared that Canada is in a different "economic situation…where we no longer need as many TFWs" and that the focus should be on investing in skills development and training for the current workforce. Effective September 26, the federal government will refuse applications for low-wage TFWs in regions facing an unemployment rate of six percent or higher. Employers will be allowed to hire a maximum of 10 percent of their workforce from TFWP, a substantial reduction from 20 percent. Those hired through the low-wage stream will be able to work a maximum of one year, instead of the previous two.
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Thousands of international students in Canada face deportation, sparking protests nationwide (City News)
Over 70,000 international students in Canada face deportation due to new federal immigration policies that limit study permits and leave many with expiring work permits by the end of the year. Students who planned to apply for permanent residency are now burdened with debt and uncertainty, sparking protests nationwide. Encampments have been set up outside the legislative assembly in Prince Edward Island, with similar protests occurring in Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia. Students argue they’ve contributed to the Canadian economy through work and taxes and feel abandoned by the government. They demand the extension of work permits and clear pathways to permanent residency, emphasizing the need for fair treatment.
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Sabine El-Chidiac: Stop blaming immigrants for Canada’s housing crisis (National Post)
In setting the agenda for the fall sitting of Parliament, the Liberal party took to their annual end-of-summer cabinet retreat to discuss the country's most pressing concerns including housing. With the explosive growth of immigration, advocates worry that increased public skepticism has led to newcomers being scapegoated for what could be inadequate policy. Immigration accounts for nearly all economic growth Canada has experienced over the last decade, with immigration needed for economic success. Housing policy experts are cautioning that while stabilizing immigration is necessary, legislative reforms are needed to ensure a more equitable approach to the housing system. At the municipal level, zoning laws and red tape present additional barriers to accelerating new builds and creating additional residential units out of abandoned commercial offices. At the federal level, a housing plan that highlights the skills of internationally trained construction workers to facilitate the building of new and affordable homes, should be prioritized. For a clear path forward - a comprehensive housing plan must include the needs of long-time residents and newcomers alike.
Differences in confidence in public institutions across generations of Canadians (Stats Can)
A study using data from the 2020 General Social Survey examined generational differences in Canadians' confidence in public institutions, including the police, the justice system, federal Parliament, and Canadian media. The study found that first-generation immigrants, especially those who arrived as adults, generally had higher confidence in these institutions than third-generation Canadians. However, second-generation Canadians exhibited lower confidence in these institutions compared to third-generation Canadians. The confidence levels among immigrants varied significantly based on their age at arrival, with those who arrived in childhood showing similar or lower confidence levels compared to third-generation Canadians. The study also highlighted differences across racialized groups, with immigrants from certain racialized backgrounds showing higher confidence levels in institutions if they arrived in adulthood. Overall, confidence in public institutions declined from the first generation to the second generation, particularly in the police, justice system, and Canadian media.
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