Canada sets new immigration policy. Here's everything we know so far

The changes

Canada has recently implemented two significant immigration policy changes: the immediate termination of a temporary public policy and a pause on Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications.

The IRCC issued a temporary public policy in August 2020 to assist tourists who were unable to exit the country due to travel restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under this policy, qualified foreign nationals with valid temporary residence status may apply from within Canada for a work permit backed by a job offer.

Additionally, eligible foreign nationals can get work permits even if they haven't met certain temporary resident requirements.

Lastly, it allows eligible former temporary foreign workers to work if the decision on their work permit application is pending.

Though it was set to expire on Feb. 28, 2025, the policy ended on Aug. 28 as the country continues to recalibrate the number of temporary residents in Canada. 

"Because of the influx of unemployment—like the increased rate of unemployment in Canada, even for citizens as well as for the permanent residents—the immigration has decided to put an immediate stop to it," regulated immigration consultant Kaede Kikumoto told PhilSTAR L!fe. 

Nonetheless, IRCC will continue to process applications submitted before Aug. 28 under the discontinued policy.

Meanwhile, other policy changes include pausing some LMIA applications and reducing the maximum term of employment for low-wage temporary foreign workers. 

According to Employment and Social Development Canada, starting Sept. 26, the LMIA applications submitted for the low-wage stream will be affected by various measures such as the following: 

• Low-wage positions in census metropolitan areas with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher won't be processed.
• The current 20% cap on the proportion of low-wage positions is being reduced to 10%.
• The maximum employment duration for low-wage positions is being reduced from 2 years to 1 year.

How it will affect Filipino workers in Canada

The unexpected changes in Canada caught many Filipino workers off guard, causing distress as they struggled to find new employment.

"It [is] causing panic primarily because there are so many Filipinos na pumunta dito—either [by] study permit or temporary resident visa or the visitor visa—in the hopes of finding a job here. However, before palang na i-implement yung restriction na ito, like immediate stop, ay nahihirapan na sila to find a job [and] an employer. How much more na-stop na ito," Kikumoto said. 

The immigration consultant also mentioned how hard our kababayans are working to make ends meet, with some of them looking for ways to afford their return tickets.

"You know, they are asking, 'Guys baka may alam kayo diyan na cash job for me, tatanggapin ko anything just as long as I can save up for my ticket going back to the Philippines.' Like they would even say an, 'Isa ako sa sumugal para makapaghanap ng trabaho sa Canada but now I have to accept my defeat and have to look for a cash job para lang maka-ipon ng pamasahe at uuwi nalang ng Pilipinas,'" he said, adding that some would even ask for spare luggage and donations to settle debts.

"Those sharing and crying for help add up to the panic caused by this policy," she continued. 

Despite that, Kikumoto said that Filipinos who are already in Canada are still "kind of safe."

"For those who are already here, they're kind of safe. If in case they get laid off or umalis sila sa trabaho or natanggal sila for whatever reason, then that's the time they need to find a new employer. And of course, because panibagong visa application 'yun, they would require to go back sa same process, which is uuwi ng home country then come back to confirm the visa."

Canada's rising unemployment rate

Meanwhile, Ace Agcaoili, a former international student and a recently approved permanent resident in Canada, said that these  recent immigration changes may create more opportunities for permanent residents, but could also lead to challenges for Filipinos who are already established in Canada.

"Sobrang laking sayang para sa mga Pinoy na nandito na pero super crowded na din kasi dito pati ang mga citizen at permanent resident ay nahihirapan na makahanap ng trabaho," she said to L!fe.

In Canada, the unemployment rate was 6.4 percent in June 2024, with the youth unemployment rate of 13.5 percent, slightly above both the pre‑crisis level (10.8 percent). 

Agcaoili added, "Madami rin nahihirapan na mga international students na makahanap ng work na related sa course nila to complete their program kasi nafifill din ng temporary workers."

"Okay na rin na ganun muna ginawa to control ang pasok ng tao dito," she noted. 

Kikumoto also echoed this, saying that Canada "really needed" to end the said policy for the sake of its countrymen.

"Even though this is my business, this is my bread and butter, I feel like Canada really needs this," he said, adding that based on his experience, many Canadians have a hard time looking for a job allegedly because of some temporary residents. 

"The leader of the country needs to do what's best for its citizens. Syempre nagagalit yung mga Canadians, and me being here, marami talaga akong naeencounter, from Canadians from PRs, nahihirapan silang humanap ng work. The Canadians are crying for help to the government to act on it and protect and give their citizens the help they need."

When asked about the effect of these changes on Filipinos who are dreaming of working in Canada, Kikumoto said, "Definitely, dun sa mga wala pang work, they have to go back to the Philippines and exit from their home country and enter Canada to confirm 'yung visa nila."