Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that the country plans to reduce the number of low-wage and temporary foreign workers, a decision expected to affect many Indians residing in Canada. Trudeau emphasized that the labor market has evolved, urging businesses to invest in Canadian workers and youth.
“We’re reducing the number of low-wage, temporary foreign workers in Canada. The labor market has changed. Now is the time for our businesses to invest in Canadian workers and youth,” Trudeau stated in a post on X on Monday.
The initiative is part of the Trudeau government’s effort to manage the rise in temporary immigration, which surged after the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2024, Canada has 2.5 million temporary residents, a significant increase from nearly 1 million in 2021. The Canadian government is also considering reducing the number of permanent residents it accepts.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, around 2,875,954 Indians, including 1,859,680 Persons of Indian Origin, currently live in Canada. The country is grappling with a severe housing crisis, with housing issues surpassing concerns about jobs, the economy, and the environment. To address this, Canada is attempting to limit the influx of international workers and students.
Earlier this year, Canada announced an immediate two-year cap on new international student visas to tackle the housing crisis and target institutional “bad actors.” In March 2024, Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, revealed plans to reduce the number of temporary residents over the next three years, with the first cap to be implemented in September.
The goal is to decrease the number of temporary residents to 5 percent of the population, down from the current 6.2 percent, according to reports.
