Each year, Canada benefits from the contributions of numerous temporary foreign workers who bring their skills and expertise, bolstering our economy and addressing critical gaps in the labor market. While these individuals play a vital role in Canada’s prosperity, they often encounter obstacles when it comes to pursuing their educational aspirations and creating new opportunities.

To address this issue, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, has introduced a new temporary measure aimed at eliminating the duration restrictions on study programs available to temporary foreign workers without a study permit.

Effective immediately, foreign workers will have the opportunity to pursue additional training and education to enhance their careers. This measure will not only broaden their future employment prospects but also increase their chances of transitioning to permanent residence. Previously, foreign workers were only allowed to engage in study programs lasting six months or less while simultaneously working. For longer programs, they were required to apply for a separate study permit, posing a barrier for those seeking to improve their education, gain further training, or validate their foreign credentials through specialized programs.

Under this new three-year temporary measure, foreign workers can now pursue full-time or part-time studies throughout the validity of their work permits or until the policy expires, without any restrictions on program length.

This temporary measure is applicable to individuals holding a valid work permit or who have submitted a work permit renewal application on or before June 7, 2023, and have received authorization to work. However, if a foreign worker intends to study beyond the duration of their work permit, they will still need to apply for a study permit.

This progressive initiative aims to empower temporary foreign workers with greater educational opportunities, allowing them to enhance their skills, expand their knowledge, and pursue their academic goals alongside their professional endeavours.

The Minister emphasized the significance of temporary foreign workers for the Canadian economy, highlighting their aspirations that extend beyond their initial work in Canada. The newly implemented policy aims to enable foreign nationals to enhance their skills, pursue their career goals, and fulfill their aspirations, while also serving as a potential future source of talent for the Canadian labor market.

By removing barriers to skills development, the policy creates opportunities for foreign-trained doctors and nurses to contribute to healthcare, supporting the well-being of our loved ones and bolstering the healthcare system. Additionally, it provides a pathway for construction laborers to advance their careers and become skilled tradespersons, ultimately strengthening communities and facilitating the construction of new homes.

The Minister said that this immigration measure addresses critical labor shortages, benefitting employers, workers, and the overall economy. The announcement was met with enthusiasm from all parties involved, recognizing the positive impact it will have on various sectors and the Canadian workforce as a whole.

Some Facts about Canada’s labour force and immigration:

The growth of Canada’s labor force is predominantly fueled by immigration, accounting for nearly all of the increase. Immigration contributes to approximately 75% of Canada’s population growth, with a major focus on the economic category. By 2036, immigrants are projected to make up around 30% of Canada’s population, compared to 20.7% in 2011.

Over the past five decades, the ratio of workers to retirees in Canada has significantly declined. Previously, there were seven workers for every retiree, whereas today the ratio stands closer to three workers for every retiree. If Canada continues on its current trajectory, this ratio is expected to decrease to two workers per retiree within the next 10 to 15 years.

Canada’s education system has earned high recognition, as indicated by its placement within the top 10 rankings in the Global Employability Rankings.

While Canadian work experience gained during full-time studies does not count towards eligibility for the Canadian Experience Class, nor can it earn students points in the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), a temporary public policy aims to provide assistance in this regard. This policy offers the potential for foreign nationals to enhance their chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry. Candidates may increase their CRS score by pursuing further studies, achieving a higher level of education, gaining qualifying work experience during part-time studies, improving their proficiency in English or French, or obtaining higher-skilled employment due to enhanced skills acquired through studies.

The outcomes of this temporary public policy will be evaluated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and the information gathered will inform potential future policy changes.