With Bill C-12, it becomes more difficult to seek asylum
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From April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, rural employers will be able to retain their current number of low-wage temporary foreign workers and increase their percentage from 10 to 15%.
Press Release New immigration measure to support Quebec workers and employers
The Government of Canada is regaining control of its immigration system while attracting and retaining people with the skills and experience needed to stimulate our economic growth.
Today, the Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant, on behalf of the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced a new temporary measure aimed at helping the Government of Quebec retain skilled workers in the process of obtaining permanent residence.
Through this measure, eligible workers can obtain an employer-specific work permit under the International Mobility Program. They will be able to continue working for their current employer for an additional maximum period of 12 months. The Government of Quebec will thus have time to examine their eligibility for a Quebec Selection Certificate before they submit a permanent residence application.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) created this measure to support Quebec's new policy, to help workers keep their jobs and to ensure that immigration efforts are focused where they are most effective. This measure only applies to people who have received an invitation to apply for permanent selection from Quebec.
The federal government recognizes that many of these skilled workers have been living in Canada for a long time, hold employment and have become valuable members of their community. By maximizing the transition rate of these candidates to permanent residence, we are also supporting the strong economy that Canada needs in the long term.
The Government of Canada is also working with provinces and territories to specifically address the workforce needs of rural regions, while ensuring that these measures remain consistent with national labour market and immigration objectives.
Employment and Social Development Canada is implementing temporary measures for employers through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to address rural labour market needs in provinces and territories that choose to participate. From April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, rural employers will be able to retain their current number of low-wage temporary foreign workers and increase their percentage from 10 to 15%.
This targeted measure supports Canada's commitment to reduce the temporary resident population to less than 5% of the total population by the end of 2027. Achieving the right balance under this new approach will require implementing additional measures as needed and working with all provinces and territories to address workforce needs.
Quotes "Canada is restoring balance and regaining control of its immigration system. To grow the Canadian economy, we need skilled workers in critical sectors to stay in the country and continue supporting their communities. We will continue working with our provincial and territorial partners to support our national workforce, while ensuring that local economies receive the support they need to thrive." – Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
"The measure we are announcing today is a strategic lever that will give Quebec more time to plan the transition from temporary immigration to permanent residence. This collaboration between our governments strengthens predictability for businesses, supports growth and contributes to the vitality of Quebec's economy, while respecting our objectives to reduce temporary immigration in the country." – Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant
Quick Facts • Temporary foreign workers are eligible if they have applied for permanent selection under Quebec's new Skilled Worker Selection Program and have received an invitation to apply for permanent selection from Quebec. • This initiative will be reserved for people who hold or recently held an employer-specific work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program with an expiry date between today and December 31, 2026. • Eligible workers can apply on the IRCC website until December 31, 2026. They will benefit from expedited processing. They should apply before their work permit expires in order to continue working. • The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan reduces targets for new temporary residents and will stabilize targets for permanent resident admissions, while providing stability to those who already live, work and contribute in Canada. The plan includes a commitment to implement a targeted measure to accelerate the transition of up to 33,000 work permit holders to permanent residence in 2026 and 2027.