The federal government has launched a new immigration program that will grant permanent residency to 33,000 temporary foreign workers in Canada over the next two years, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab revealed.
The initiative, which had been announced last November, has now been soft-launched, according to Diab, as Canada faces growing concerns about large numbers of migrants losing legal status in the country.
“We have launched it already,” Diab said in a recent interview, adding that further details about the program will be released in April.
The program is designed to transition skilled temporary workers in high-demand sectors into permanent residents, providing a pathway for individuals already working in Canada to remain in the country.
Rising Numbers of Expiring Permits
Government data shows that more than 2.1 million temporary residents had their permits expire in 2025, with another 1.9 million expected to lose their status in 2026.
The figures have raised concerns about the possibility of a growing undocumented population if workers remain in Canada after their permits expire.
Prime Minister Mark Carney previously pledged to reduce the share of non-permanent residents in Canada to under five per cent of the population by 2027, down from about 6.8 per cent recorded in December.
Transitioning temporary migrants to permanent residency is one strategy Ottawa is using to reduce the number of people holding temporary status.
Last year, more than half of the 395,000 people granted permanent residency in Canada were already in the country on temporary permits, Diab said.
Expectations for Temporary Residents
Diab emphasized that temporary residents whose permits expire must apply for extensions if they wish to remain in Canada legally.
“If you’re in Canada on temporary status… and you wish to stay longer than the time limit, we are saying please apply for an extension,” she said.
“If you do not apply for an extension, we expect you to honour that commitment and leave.”
Broader Immigration Policy Changes
The government is also pushing legislation known as Bill C-12, which would allow immigration officials to pause or cancel certain immigration documents or applications if deemed necessary in the public interest.
Diab said the authority would only be used in exceptional circumstances and would not be applied to reduce immigration backlogs.
The minister outlined several priorities set out in the government’s immigration agenda, including:
- Reducing the number of temporary residents in Canada
- Stabilizing permanent resident admissions to under one per cent of Canada’s population after 2027
- Increasing the proportion of French-speaking immigrants settling outside Quebec to 12 per cent by 2029
- Developing a strategy to attract international talent
Balancing Labour Needs
Diab acknowledged that immigration policy must balance competing pressures.
While some political voices call for tighter restrictions on temporary foreign workers, businesses across Canada continue to warn of labour shortages in sectors such as agriculture, construction and hospitality.
“You’ve got politicians saying ‘shut down the temporary foreign worker program,’ but I hear from hundreds of businesses and chambers of commerce that need workers,” she said.
The federal government has also pledged to reduce the number of international students entering Canada, a move that has already forced several colleges and universities to cut programs and staff amid declining enrolment.
Despite the challenges and criticism surrounding the immigration portfolio, Diab said her motivation to serve remains strong.
“I love my country. I love Canada. For me, it’s part of giving back,” she said.