Federal-Provincial-Territorial Immigration Ministers Discuss Canada's Immigration Levels Planning for 2025-2027

On May 10, 2024, the Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration (FMRI) convened in Montréal to deliberate on Canada's immigration levels planning for the 2025-2027 period. The meeting brought together federal, provincial, and territorial immigration ministers to address the challenges and opportunities associated with Canada's immigration system.

Key Discussions and Outcomes

The ministers engaged in productive discussions on several critical aspects of Canada's immigration landscape:

Economic and Social Benefits of Immigration

The ministers acknowledged the vital role immigration plays in driving economic growth, addressing labour market needs, and enriching cultural diversity across Canada.

Balancing Permanent and Temporary Residents

The federal government expressed its intention to include temporary residents in the annual levels plan for the first time and decrease the temporary resident population to 5% of Canada's total population. Ministers emphasized the need for a strategic and data-driven approach to manage this reduction while considering regional labour market needs.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Ministers agreed that PNPs are crucial in supporting regional economic and labour market needs. Provincial and territorial ministers called for a greater share of PNPs in immigration levels planning and additional allocations to address their priorities.

Humanitarian Responses and Asylum Seekers

Canada's leadership in welcoming displaced people, including responses to various international crises, was commended. Ministers discussed the need for ongoing collaboration and cooperation around the federal crisis response framework and the importance of early communication between governments on initiatives that may impact jurisdictions.

Strengthening the Asylum System

Ministers recognized the challenges associated with the increased volume of asylum claimants and the need to maintain fairness and accelerate the processing of asylum claims. A working group of ministers and officials will be established to better manage the flow of asylum claimants across the country and provide the necessary resources to support them.

Collaboration and Coordination: The Way Forward

The FMRI meeting underscored the importance of strong collaboration and coordination between federal, provincial, and territorial governments in managing Canada's immigration system. Ministers emphasized the need for a well-managed immigration system that distributes the benefits of immigration across the country while ensuring the availability of robust public services to support newcomer integration.

The discussions also highlighted the shared commitment to advancing joint immigration priorities, respecting the principles of shared jurisdiction, and recognizing the distinct roles and responsibilities of federal and provincial-territorial governments in shaping Canada's immigration policies and programs.