Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged that his government’s immigration policy has been exploited by “bad actors” such as “fake colleges” and big corporations, leading to significant changes to the country’s immigration strategy.
This has come to light amidst the declining popularity of Trudeau before the general elections to be held in Canada next year.
In a recent video message, Trudeau said Canada’s population has grown rapidly in the last two years, but with this growth has also come exploitation.
He said, “Over the last two years, our population has grown really rapidly, like a baby boom…bad actors like fake colleges and big chain corporations are exploiting our immigration system for their own interests.”
Canadians have been accusing the Prime Minister and his party of poor management, housing shortages, inflation, and the country’s health and transportation systems. The opposition has also claimed that he does not prioritize the needs of Canadian citizens.
Explaining the basis for the government’s action, he said, “We made some mistakes and that is why we are taking this big step.”
To address these issues, Trudeau announced that Canada would reduce the number of immigrants entering the country over the next three years.
Immigration Minister Mark Miller outlined the government’s plan, which includes admitting about 395,000 permanent residents in 2025, a 20% decline from the previous year.
The number of temporary immigrants, including international students and foreign workers, will also decline from 800,000 this year to about 446,000 in 2025 and 2026.
Canada’s new immigration plan gives priority to permanent residents with skills in health care and construction. Trudeau stressed that the goal is to stabilize population growth while addressing the issues of housing shortage and cost of living.
Trudeau said Canada’s immigration plan is very “straightforward – the number of immigrants is low – both permanent and temporary.”
The government also ended the popular fast-track study visa program, SDS, which could impact international students, especially students from India, who form the largest group of foreign students in Canada.
The changes to the immigration system are intended to prevent exploitation by fraudulent colleges and corporations. Trudeau acknowledged that Canada’s focus on permanent immigration led to the neglect of temporary immigration pathways. The government now seeks to balance economic growth with community needs.
