Maple News reports that Immigration Minister Marc Miller has announced plans to increase the number of permanent residency draws focused on individuals already residing in Canada on temporary permits. This marks a strategic shift toward recognizing the contributions of temporary residents such as international students and foreign workers, aiming to offer them more accessible pathways to permanent residency.
The initiative, referred to as “domestic draws,” will target candidates within Canada who are part of consented immigration pools like Express Entry. Through programs managed by Express Entry, candidates are selected based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores, or due to specific skills such as professional experience or French language proficiency. Those selected receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.
Minister Miller highlighted this approach during his broader announcement on controlling temporary resident volumes to better manage the strain on Canada’s public services, including housing and healthcare. He emphasized that both the federal government and participating provinces and territories should prioritize drawing from within Canada’s temporary resident pool through their respective programs, including the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
“For those already contributing to Canadian society, we want to make the transition to permanent residency more tangible,” Miller said. “We’re encouraging both our federal streams and provincial partners to do more in-country draws going forward.”
This move is not without precedent. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the largest Express Entry draw in its history, issuing over 27,000 ITAs to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) with an extraordinarily low CRS cut-off of 75. This historical action demonstrated preferential treatment for individuals already residing and working in the country.
The CEC, a key component of Express Entry, facilitates permanent residency for skilled workers who have Canadian work experience. Similarly, Provincial Nominee Programs often prioritize candidates already employed or settled in a specific province, reinforcing government efforts to foster long-term integration.
While specific policy changes stemming from Miller’s comments have yet to be detailed, this new direction indicates a potentially more favorable outlook for temporary residents seeking permanent status. It signals that Canada may increasingly reward individuals who have already demonstrated adaptability and commitment to life in the country.
Maple News will continue to monitor developments related to domestic draws and provide timely updates for temporary residents and immigration candidates navigating the evolving landscape.