Miller fires back at provinces, territories for complaints over cuts to economic immigration
Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller is pointing fingers at provinces and territories for federal cuts to the economic migrant streams they rely on. He claims that they have been uncooperative in increasing their share of asylum seekers, which has led to reductions in the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) that target skilled workers looking to become permanent residents in Canada.
Each province and territory has its own PNP streams and requirements, with the exception of Quebec and Nunavut. Last week, all provinces and territories received formal notice from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that their allocations for 2025 would be reduced by 50 percent. This has raised concerns about local labor supply and the economy.
Minister Miller emphasized that immigration is a shared responsibility and called out premiers for their handling of the issue. He criticized some premiers for being irresponsible in their discussions about immigration, accusing them of using talks about increasing their share of asylum seekers as a political weapon.
The government’s independent Parliamentary Budget Officer, Yves Giroux, recently released a report forecasting the economic impact of the immigration cuts imposed by the federal government. The overall plan to reduce immigration, announced last October, includes reductions in the PNPs. Giroux’s report found that the immigration caps imposed by the government would result in a 1.7 percent reduction in real GDP by the end of 2027.
The situation highlights the importance of cooperation between the federal government and provinces and territories in managing immigration policies. It also underscores the need for responsible and informed discussions about immigration that take into account the economic contributions of skilled migrants to Canada’s GDP. As discussions continue and allocations are renegotiated, it is crucial for all parties to work together towards a balanced and sustainable immigration system that benefits both newcomers and the Canadian economy.
