Question Period Note: TR TO PR PATHWAY

Pathway to permanent residence for certain temporary residents currently in Canada.

PROPOSED RESPONSE:
• The temporary pathway to permanent residence was put in place to recognize the vital work of newcomers in many sectors across our country. From those on the frontlines in health care to the many individuals working in essential jobs, they have made incredible contributions and have helped us on our path to economic recovery.
• This pathway targeted recent international student graduates and essential workers in Canada to help ensure that Canada has the skilled, educated and experienced workforce needed to fuel its economic recovery and growth.
• This time limited pathway closed on November 5, 2021 and saw over 91,000 applications. Applications continue to be processed for admissions in 2022 and 2023.

BACKGROUND:
• The Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident pathway was well received and saw over 91,000 applications prior to its closure in November 2021. In 2021, close to 24,000 new permanent residents were admitted. As of the end of March 2022, approximately 17,000 more new permanent residents had been admitted through the TR to PR Pathway, representing 42.5% of the 40,000 planned admissions for 2022. A further 32,000 admissions are planned in 2023.
• In the 2022-2024 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada aims to admit 431,645 permanent residents overall in 2022 with about 56% of admissions to come from the economic class.
• Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada developed this extraordinary and innovative measure for foreign nationals who were already physically present in Canada due to border closures and to mitigate the challenges in admitting new permanent residents from overseas. This pathway to permanent residence from within Canada will help retain the talent of those already here in support of economic recovery.
• This temporary pathway was created using the public policy authority which enables the Minister to grant permanent residence to foreign nationals, where it is justified by public policy considerations. The following public policies targeted foreign nationals, with French or English language proficiency, present and working in Canada, and likely to succeed in economically establishing themselves in the country and further support economic recovery:
o Recent international graduates with an eligible Canadian credential from either college or university programs currently employed in Canada. This stream accelerates the transition for those likely to have applied for permanent residency over the next few years.
o Employed temporary foreign workers who have acquired at least one year of eligible work experience in the past three years in Canada, in a health-related or other essential occupation, in recognition of their economic contribution and of the ongoing need that Canada has for workers in these critical occupations.
• This new pathway to permanent residence was open for applications beginning on May 6, 2021. IRCC accepted applications under these policies until Nov. 5, 2021, or until a program stream reached its maximum intake limit. These maximums were:
o 20,000 applications for temporary foreign workers in health care;
o 30,000 applications for temporary foreign workers in other select essential occupations; and
o 40,000 applications for international graduates.
• These public policies also included uncapped, dedicated streams for French-speaking and bilingual candidates. Communities across Canada benefit from the economic, social and cultural spin-offs of French-speaking and bilingual newcomers. The Government is committed to supporting the vitality of Francophone minority communities across Canada by increasing Francophone immigration outside of Quebec.
• Existing applications for permanent residence previously submitted to the Department will continue to be processed. There is no need to withdraw these pending applications or submit new applications for permanent residence. Applicants can choose to apply to multiple programs, however they must pay processing fees for each application they submit.
• The international graduates stream reached its 40,000 application cap in just over 24 hours and the stream for essential non-healthcare workers also closed before Nov. 5.
Canada - Admissions of Permanent Residents under Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway by Stream, up to March 31, 2022
Stream Up to March 31, 2022
International Graduates 28,765
Health Care Essential Workers 3,280
Other Essential Workers (Non-Health Care) 8,825
Francophone Streams 885
Total 41,755

None