Canada to impose inaugural limit on temporary residents

Canada plans to establish its first-ever limits on temporary residents, aiming to reduce the influx over the next three years starting in September.

This initiative targets international students, foreign workers, and asylum seekers, addressing concerns about housing affordability and labor market efficiency.

 The move responds to a significant rise in temporary residents, now totaling 2.5 million, up from one million in 2021. While Canada relies on temporary workers to address labor shortages, adjustments are deemed necessary to optimize the system's functionality. Exceptions will be made for sectors facing labor shortages, like construction and healthcare. 

However, critics argue that the policy unfairly targets temporary foreign workers, attributing them to housing affordability issues. This decision follows the reinstatement of visa requirements for Mexican nationals and a cap on international student admissions, signaling a departure from Canada's historically open immigration policies. These measures coincide with mounting pressure on the government to tackle housing affordability concerns amid soaring home prices and rising rents.