More foreign workers granted Canadian Permanent Residency

As per a recent study, one out of five foreign temporary workers living in Canada are granted permanent residence by Canadian government. This is twice the rate which was two decades ago.

According to new Statistics Canada report, 21 per cent of temporary foreign workers who came to Canada in mid 1990s obtained permanent resident status by the end of 2014.

It was under the former Conservative government that Canada shifted towards an immigration system which allowed absorbing migrant workers as permanent residents. These migrant workers first came to country on temporary status after meeting labour market needs test. The current model followed, however allows migrants to immediately become permanent residents of Canada.

The number of temporary residents under migrant workers and intra-company transfers has tripled since early 2010s to more than 500,000. This surpassed 260,000 permanent residents settling in Canada every year.

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But Canada still needs highly skilled foreign workers, the need which is still a big challenge for Canada to address. For same, many provinces have come up with newer avenues to attract foreign skilled workers.

Ottawa introduced immigration programs under Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Program that aims to attract and benefit foreign skilled workers who have Canadian education credentials and work experience.

“It was a smart move by Canada. It has definitely helped eliminate immigrants’ integration costs for taxpayers because they are already here studying or working,” said immigration policy analyst and lawyer Richard Kurland.

“I expect the new Express Entry system that favours applicants with Canadian credentials and work experience will further amplify the outcomes of this study,” he added further.