Canada Immigration and Refugee Minister Marc Miller has given hints of a new round of reforms that is set to hit Canada’s immigration and asylum system and will therefore usher in a new dawn of major changes in policy.
These proposals which are expected in the coming weeks come at times that there are concerns regarding sub optimum working, increased asylum seekers as well as problems with temporary workers permits.
Below is an analysis of what these changes include and the expected effects.
Current Challenges in Canada’s Immigration System
1. Lengthy asylum claims’ Processing Times
Canadian government data shows that the average time taken to process refugee and asylum claims is forty-four months on average.
This backlog is as a result of claimants’ increase and lack of efficient means to handle these claims.
“I was telling the House of Commons immigration committee until the end of September, there were almost 250,000 claims awaiting decision,” Minister Miller said.
Currently, the number of claims that has been processed since January 2024 is 48,000 a statistic that dictates for change.
2. Inland Asylum Claims on the Rise
Other emerging problems include inland asylum which is made in Canada and is made on conditions whereby its applicant has to have been in the country for at least two weeks.
Of the many claims, only 635 were of this categorization between January and September 2024.
As Miller notes, most of them originate from people advised to submit unfounded asylum requests because the opportunities for legal stay are fading.
3. International Students Adding to the Burden
More students are applying for asylum even though they have little chance of being granted asylum.
Miller specifically said that it means temporary residency should be understood literally, “It is not the right to permanent residency or Canadian citizenship.” Yes, there it is something I am rather sure about.”
Marc Miller Working On New Immigration Reforms
Minister Miller outlined several reforms to address the systemic challenges:
1. Overhauling the Asylum System
Admitting the flaws, Miller once again assured that the changes would be made to the asylum system.
The goal is to reduce Paperwork and make sure only bona fide refugees get assistance quickly and those fraudulently staging Refugee status are discouraged.
“The system is not delivering the service it is expected to deliver,” said Miller. “This is brought about by increased volume as well as increased efficiency.”
2. Clamping Down on LMIA Abuses
Another key area of concern in the reforms is the impropriety in the use of Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
At the present time, the LMIA confers an applicant 50 additional points for permanent residency, thereby encouraging such fake documents.
“Money is changing hands where it shouldn’t,” Miller said, citing news stories of immigrants paying sometimes whopping sums of money to employers and consultants for LMIA clearances.
To counter such abuses, Ottawa is pondering on cutting the 50-point bonus.
3. Addressing False Hopes for Temporary Residents
Miller accused agents and consultants who make false promises of a permanent residence or citizenship to temporary residents.
His changes are intended to make people best understand that these programs are temporary at the time they apply for them.
The Broader Impact of LMIA Reform
Some of the documented services being offered through the LMIA system have been criticised as fake by other legal migration service providers saying it brings a bad image on the program.
That is why reducing the 50-point incentive can help remove these concerns, but it may also affect foreign workers’ employment.
Such workers are a valuable commodity in the country as the Canadian economy depends on temporary workers especially in shortage sectors.
This seems to be one of the main issues that form the heart of the problem facing politicians; where to balance the needs of the economy vis-a-vis the need for avert exploitation.
Future Directions
The minister underscored more changes to come that are to address some of the issues with the system of immigration.
He also agreed to the fact that the process of an asylum is a bit cumbersome, some of the asylum seekers are motivated by wrong perception.
There are suggestions that Ottawa is going to bring out policies to dissolve immigration fraud especially for the vulnerable groups.
Miller noted the need to change the culture of the employers and the immigration consultants, so that they can practice the right thing.
The government presides over what takes nearly four years to work out asylum claims and seeks to reduce its time but ensure that the exercise is done in a fair manner.
This may involve the allocation of more funds for immigration tribunals, or enhancing ways of handling the cases.
A Pivotal Moment for Canadian Immigration
The proposal from Minister Marc Miller are a turning point in Canada’s policies on immigration and asylum.
The planned reforms of labor laws also bring insights on how inefficiency and exploitation can be tackled, although the issue of blends of fellow-sensitiveness and business-like approach in implementing policies remains sensitive.
As Canada faces these shifts, the discussion will become more contentious, and clients from this country and other members of the Global Village will demand the fairest and most equal chance.
For now, all interest is focused on the government, expecting it to announce the next move.
As the reforms work through, more details will be observed and made regarding their impacts.
Marc Miller is to suggest new changes in the immigrants’ system
Canada Immigration and Refugee Minister Marc Miller has given hints of a new round of reforms that is set to hit Canada’s immigration and asylum system and will therefore usher in a new dawn of major changes in policy.
These proposals which are expected in the coming weeks come at times that there are concerns regarding sub optimum working, increased asylum seekers as well as problems with temporary workers permits.
Below is an analysis of what these changes include and the expected effects.
Current Challenges in Canada’s Immigration System
1. Lengthy asylum claims’ Processing Times
Canadian government data shows that the average time taken to process refugee and asylum claims is forty-four months on average.
This backlog is as a result of claimants’ increase and lack of efficient means to handle these claims.
“I was telling the House of Commons immigration committee until the end of September, there were almost 250,000 claims awaiting decision,” Minister Miller said.
Currently, the number of claims that has been processed since January 2024 is 48,000 a statistic that dictates for change.
2. Inland Asylum Claims on the Rise
Other emerging problems include inland asylum which is made in Canada and is made on conditions whereby its applicant has to have been in the country for at least two weeks.
Of the many claims, only 635 were of this categorization between January and September 2024.
As Miller notes, most of them originate from people advised to submit unfounded asylum requests because the opportunities for legal stay are fading.
3. International Students Adding to the Burden
More students are applying for asylum even though they have little chance of being granted asylum.
Miller specifically said that it means temporary residency should be understood literally, “It is not the right to permanent residency or Canadian citizenship.” Yes, there it is something I am rather sure about.”
Marc Miller Working On New Immigration Reforms
Minister Miller outlined several reforms to address the systemic challenges:
1. Overhauling the Asylum System
Admitting the flaws, Miller once again assured that the changes would be made to the asylum system.
The goal is to reduce Paperwork and make sure only bona fide refugees get assistance quickly and those fraudulently staging Refugee status are discouraged.
“The system is not delivering the service it is expected to deliver,” said Miller. “This is brought about by increased volume as well as increased efficiency.”
2. Clamping Down on LMIA Abuses
Another key area of concern in the reforms is the impropriety in the use of Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
At the present time, the LMIA confers an applicant 50 additional points for permanent residency, thereby encouraging such fake documents.
“Money is changing hands where it shouldn’t,” Miller said, citing news stories of immigrants paying sometimes whopping sums of money to employers and consultants for LMIA clearances.
To counter such abuses, Ottawa is pondering on cutting the 50-point bonus.
3. Addressing False Hopes for Temporary Residents
Miller accused agents and consultants who make false promises of a permanent residence or citizenship to temporary residents.
His changes are intended to make people best understand that these programs are temporary at the time they apply for them.
The Broader Impact of LMIA Reform
Some of the documented services being offered through the LMIA system have been criticised as fake by other legal migration service providers saying it brings a bad image on the program.
That is why reducing the 50-point incentive can help remove these concerns, but it may also affect foreign workers’ employment.
Such workers are a valuable commodity in the country as the Canadian economy depends on temporary workers especially in shortage sectors.
This seems to be one of the main issues that form the heart of the problem facing politicians; where to balance the needs of the economy vis-a-vis the need for avert exploitation.
Future Directions
The minister underscored more changes to come that are to address some of the issues with the system of immigration.
He also agreed to the fact that the process of an asylum is a bit cumbersome, some of the asylum seekers are motivated by wrong perception.
There are suggestions that Ottawa is going to bring out policies to dissolve immigration fraud especially for the vulnerable groups.
Miller noted the need to change the culture of the employers and the immigration consultants, so that they can practice the right thing.
The government presides over what takes nearly four years to work out asylum claims and seeks to reduce its time but ensure that the exercise is done in a fair manner.
This may involve the allocation of more funds for immigration tribunals, or enhancing ways of handling the cases.
A Pivotal Moment for Canadian Immigration
The proposal from Minister Marc Miller are a turning point in Canada’s policies on immigration and asylum.
The planned reforms of labor laws also bring insights on how inefficiency and exploitation can be tackled, although the issue of blends of fellow-sensitiveness and business-like approach in implementing policies remains sensitive.
As Canada faces these shifts, the discussion will become more contentious, and clients from this country and other members of the Global Village will demand the fairest and most equal chance.
For now, all interest is focused on the government, expecting it to announce the next move.
As the reforms work through, more details will be observed and made regarding their impacts.
Author: Sam Gill
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