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.
OPINION | The missing debate on immigration (Globe & Mail)
Canada’s immigration system is at a critical point. Temporary residents now make up 7.3 per cent of the population, up from 6.5 per cent in 2023, largely due to federal policies that opened the door to high volumes of temporary foreign workers and international students. This influx has outpaced housing supply and placed downward pressure on wages, fuelling growing public concern. Asylum claims surged to nearly 113,000 in 2024, an increase of almost 42,000 from the year prior. As the federal election is underway, candidates have begun to share their visions for immigration. The Liberals have acknowledged missteps and set lower targets, but implementation gaps remain. The Conservatives are proposing to tie immigration levels to annual housing starts, which would sharply reduce intake to 250,000. While this may ease housing pressure, it risks deepening labour shortages, especially in sectors reliant on newcomers. A declining population could also strain health care and pensions. The next government must focus on immigration policy that is comprehensive in line with challenges facing the economy and social integration.
The Canada We Believe In: Renewing a positive vision for immigration (BIC Coalition)
The Canada We Believe In coalition, which includes over 100 community organizations, business groups, and civil society leaders, is calling for a renewed, unified vision of immigration that aligns with Canada’s core values of inclusion, prosperity, and global leadership. The coalition stresses the urgent need for clear, responsive, and streamlined immigration programs to address critical labour shortages and support ongoing economic growth. Additionally, it advocates for coordinated investments in housing, healthcare, and education to ensure that newcomers have the resources and opportunities necessary for success. Moreover, the coalition emphasizes the importance of countering rising anti-immigration rhetoric, reaffirming Canada’s commitment to equitable and consistent humanitarian programs. It also highlights the need to define success not just by the number of arrivals, but by establishing clear economic, social, and global impact measures. Ultimately, the coalition urges federal leaders to collaborate with all levels of government and civil society to implement this comprehensive, forward-thinking vision.
How Canada's student visa cap could cost us top global talent (Policy Options)
Canada has a unique opportunity to attract global academic talent as the United States faces growing challenges in its higher education sector. However, this opportunity is at risk due to Canada's current approach to student housing and immigration policies. In response to housing pressures, the federal government has introduced caps on international student visas. Many post-secondary institutions and provincial governments have criticized this measure, citing it as a blunt instrument that misdiagnoses housing shortages as a student-driven problem. Rather than limiting intake, experts suggest that Canada should focus on increasing the supply of student housing through measures such as converting vacant commercial properties into student accommodations and launching a national student housing acceleration fund. International students contribute significantly to Canada's economy, supporting over 361,000 jobs and adding more than $30.9 billion to the GDP in 2022. They also enrich the research ecosystem and often become permanent residents, contributing to long-term economic growth and social cohesion. To capitalize on these features, Canada must implement targeted measures to increase student housing supply, ensuring that the country remains a welcoming destination for global talent.
Canada’s new immigration policy favours construction workers but leaves the rest behind (The Conversation)
Recent immigration policy adjustments appear to be prioritizing construction workers in efforts to address sector-specific labour shortages. While this focus is essential for the growth of the construction industry, it has inadvertently overlooked other crucial sectors. The shifts risk deepening longstanding issues of wage suppression in some areas, leaving many internationally educated professionals, particularly in healthcare and technology, to work in positions that do not match their qualifications. This underemployment not only limits the potential of skilled immigrants but also exacerbates labour shortages in critical sectors. Additionally, temporary work permits create vulnerability for foreign workers, often leading to exploitation. To ensure a more balanced and fair immigration system, advocates are encouraging the federal government to prioritize the interests of workers; focusing on streamlined foreign credential recognition, expanding upskilling and reskilling opportunities and offering clearer pathways to permanent residency. These steps will help integrate skilled workers, prevent exploitation, and maintain Canada’s competitive edge in attracting global talent while addressing labour market concerns.
Some migrants in Canada lose work status while applications languish (Globe & Mail)
Thousands of migrants in Canada are facing prolonged delays in renewing work permits, threatening their legal status and access to essential services such as health care and education. Processing times for Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs), a required document to maintain temporary work status, have nearly tripled from 58 business days in September 2023 to 165 days by March 2025. As a result, many applicants are losing status despite having paid fees and followed the necessary legal channels, leaving them unable to work or access public services. Some, like Devi Acharya, have suffered life-altering consequences, including medical emergencies avoided out of fear of unaffordable bills. The number of in-country work permit applications has risen, alongside a growing share of rejections. This shift coincides with a federal pivot to reduce migrant numbers by relying on voluntary departures. Without systemic reform, backlogs and shifting policies may drive more migrants into undocumented or exploitative conditions.
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