Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab confirmed that Canada has launched a program to convert skilled temporary foreign workers into permanent residence amid concerns about a growing number of immigrants losing their legal status.The scheme aims to grant permanent status to 33,000 workers in in-demand industries within two years. The plan was first announced in November, but government officials have since provided few details. “We’ve launched it,” Diab told The Star in an interview this week. She added: “I can’t tell you exactly how many so far, but we will provide more clarity and more details in April.”Recent government data shows that more than 2.1 million temporary residents’ permits are due to expire in 2025, and a further 1.9 million are expected to lose their status in 2026. The figures raise concerns about a potential surge in the undocumented population.The plan is part of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s effort to reduce the share of non-permanent residents in Canada’s population to below 5 per cent by 2027, from 6.8 per cent at the end of 2025. Converting temporary immigrants into permanent residents is seen as a key way to achieve this goal. Last year, more than half of the 395,000 new permanent residents were previously in Canada on a temporary permit.“If you are in Canada on a temporary basis, whether as a visitor, student or worker, and for whatever reason you wish to stay longer than that, we recommend that you apply for an extension,” Diab said.She added: “If you don’t apply for an extension, we want you to honor your commitment and leave. We also want to say that even if you apply for an extension, it may be granted or it may be denied for a variety of reasons. If it is denied, we want you to leave as well.”
What is Bill C-12?
Diab also oversees the controversial Bill C-12, which would give immigration officials the power to cancel, suspend or suspend documents and applications in the public interest. “It’s extraordinary power,” she said. She added, “A decision like this requires a lot of attention.”The minister’s goals are to reduce the number of temporary residents, stabilize the arrival of permanent residents, ensure the settlement of French-speaking countries outside Quebec and implement an international talent attraction strategy. She is working closely with the provincial government and local communities to balance workforce needs and worker protections. “Politicians say, ‘Shut down the temporary foreign worker program,’ but I hear the voices of hundreds of industries, businesses, employed people, chambers of commerce… they need workers because there are not enough Canadians to fill the jobs in certain industries,” Diab said.Diab also addressed the situation of international students, who face significant declines under new federal plans. “The more we can take care of our institutions and our integrity and strengthen our systems and make sure that incoming students are actually getting a valuable education, I think that’s really the most important thing,” she said.
