Canada's Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, has approved a request from the Manitoba government to extend the temporary resident status for certain Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates.

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the affected nominees hold work permits expiring in 2024, predominantly those with Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs). These individuals are currently applicants for the Manitoba Skilled Worker Program, an immigration pathway designed to address critical job vacancies in the province.

This temporary measure allows 6,700 temporary workers to continue their employment while their PNP applications are processed. Manitoba anticipates that eligible foreign nationals will receive an official nomination and eventually gain permanent residency within two years.

IRCC expressed a willingness to collaborate with other Canadian provinces and territories to facilitate the transition of more temporary residents to permanent residents, addressing the national labour market needs. Additional details may emerge following the Federation of Ministers Responsible for Immigration (FMRI) meeting on May 10.

Manitoba’s PNP

Manitoba pioneered the PNP in Canada, launching the program in 1998 to attract newcomers who might otherwise choose larger urban centers like Toronto or Vancouver. The program's success in distributing the economic benefits of immigration has led to its adoption by all Canadian provinces and territories, except Quebec and Nunavut.

IRCC data indicates that 10,000 individuals in Manitoba transitioned from worker status to permanent residents in 2023. Between January and March this year, the province issued 1,560 Expressions of Interest to Skilled Worker candidates, resulting in 1,478 approvals.

In 2022, 20% of all permanent resident admissions in Canada were through the PNP. The Immigration Levels Plan aims to welcome 110,000 new permanent residents by the end of 2024 and 120,000 annually in 2025 and 2026 through the PNP.

Changes to Temporary Resident Levels

This measure is a distinctive move in Canada's immigration policy, aligning with a previously announced priority to focus on domestic draws to transition temporary residents to permanent status. On March 21, Minister Miller announced plans to help more temporary residents in Canada become permanent residents, rather than increasing the number of new temporary residents each year.

In 2023, Canada had over 2.5 million temporary residents, constituting 6.2% of the total population. That year, 157,000 individuals transitioned from temporary to permanent resident status.

The adjustments to temporary resident levels occur amidst challenges such as a shortage of affordable housing, a strained healthcare system, and a high cost of living. Several polls throughout 2023 indicated a decline in public support for high immigration levels.

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