Immigration Minister Marc Miller has confirmed that a broad program to grant residency to undocumented migrants in Canada is not on the horizon.
“While it’s frustrating for those contributing to our economy and raising Canadian kids, we must be realistic about what’s achievable,” Miller told CBC News. He added, “Despite the economic and humanitarian benefits, Canadians aren’t ready for a broad regularization program.”
Miller is still considering granting status to undocumented workers in specific sectors like healthcare and construction. The Liberals had promised in late 2021 to explore regularizing undocumented workers, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has set no timeline for this proposal.
Estimates suggest there are between 300,000 and 600,000 undocumented people in Canada. Groups like the Migrant Rights Network have been pressuring the government to act on this issue.
The Migrant Workers Alliance for Change argues that recent immigration policies have worsened the scapegoating of migrants amid the affordability crisis. Sarom Rho from the alliance stated, “We will continue to demand that Trudeau and Minister Miller ensure permanent resident status for all migrants and undocumented people, essential to our economy and communities.”
Immigration has become a hot political topic, especially regarding housing affordability. A recent Leger poll found that 60% of respondents believe Canada accepts too many immigrants.
In March, Miller announced a plan to reduce the share of temporary residents from 6.2% to 5% by 2027. He emphasized the need for practicality in achieving this goal. The upcoming immigration levels plan will include measures to address the influx of temporary residents, with consultations set for the fall.
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