Canada’s Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland, recently unveiled the first budget since the September 2021 federal election. The budget serves as a crucial roadmap for the Canadian government’s planned spending and revenue allocation, reflecting the nation’s economic health and policy priorities.
Immigration Proposals in Budget 2022:
Budget 2022 encompasses a range of immigration priorities set forth by the Canadian government:
1. Express Entry: The federal government intends to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) to grant the immigration minister authority to use Ministerial Instructions in candidate selection, focusing on aligning candidates with Canada’s labor market needs. Specific details regarding these changes are yet to be disclosed.
2. Immigration Levels Plan: In support of the goal to process and settle over 400,000 new permanent residents annually, Canada will allocate $2.1 billion over five years and $317.6 million ongoing in new funding.
3. Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP): To streamline the TFWP, the government will invest $29.3 million over three years in creating a Trusted Employer Model, aimed at reducing bureaucracy for repeat employers adhering to high standards in working conditions, living conditions, wage protection, and employment in high-demand sectors. Further details regarding this model will be unveiled in the coming year. Additionally, $48.2 million will be invested in establishing a streamlined TFWP for agricultural and fish processing employers. The government also commits $64.6 million over three years to enhance the processing capacity for employer applications while adhering to established service standards.
4. Support Services for Immigrants and Visitors: Budget 2022 proposes an expenditure of $187.3 million over five years and $37.2 million ongoing for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This funding aims to bolster IRCC’s ability to address the growing number of inquiries and invest in necessary technology and tools to better support its clients.
5. Canadian Citizenship: To accommodate increased citizenship applications, the government plans to amend the Citizenship Act, enabling automated and machine-assisted processing and secure biometrics collection and use.
Immigration Announcements in Previous Budgets:
Historically, federal budgets have occasionally included significant immigration announcements. For instance, the 2014 budget paved the way for the introduction of Express Entry, which officially launched in January 2015.
Budget 2021 allocated $485 million to modernize the immigration system and included substantial commitments to immigration, some of which have been realized. These commitments encompassed funding for the Temporary Residence to Permanent Residence (TR to PR) pathway, the replacement of the Global Case Management System (GCMS), and reinforced support for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
Recent Major Immigration Announcements: The year 2022 has witnessed several pivotal developments in Canadian immigration:
In April, Canada introduced five significant changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), including extended validity for Labor Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) and expanded opportunities for foreign workers in various sectors.
In March, measures were implemented to support Ukrainians fleeing conflict, including the issuance of temporary visas called Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET).
In February, Canada increased its immigration levels to aid post-pandemic economic recovery, aiming to welcome a record 431,645 new permanent residents in 2022 and a projected 451,000 by 2024.
In January, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced steps to enhance processing standards and address backlogs at Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
What’s Next:
Following the budget’s presentation, the next step involves a vote by elected officials in the Canadian Parliament. In the unlikely event that the majority of Members of Parliament oppose the budget, it could trigger an election. However, given the New Democratic Party’s support for the budget following an alliance with the governing Liberal Party, such an outcome is improbable.
At Unitia, we remain committed to assisting you with your immigration journey. If you have any inquiries or need personalized guidance, please feel free to reach out at info@unitiaimmigation.com or visit https://unitiaimmigration.com/. Your path to Canadian immigration begins with us.
