Mahboubi: Why have a target for cutting temporary immigration if Canada can’t meet it?

Hard not to agree:

…But any reductions should not come at any cost. Asylum reform must ensure that the system serves those in genuine need of protection, rather than as an alternative pathway to permanent residency or prolonged stay. 

Likewise, while the student permit cap has curbed numbers, it has hurt the entire postsecondary sector. A larger cap is not the answer; what’s needed is a shift in focus toward attracting high-quality applicants and supporting sectors that benefit most from temporary residents. The goal should not be just about quantity, but also about the quality of entrants and their alignment with long-term national objectives.

What’s needed now is a more credible and co-ordinated approach – one that combines realistic targets, reliable data systems, effective enforcement and reforms to the asylum system in a way that balances efficiency with fairness. It also means being honest about what can reasonably be achieved in the short-term, and recognizing that Canada’s growing reliance on temporary residents is not just a numbers problem, but a structural one.

Until then, pressures associated with Canada’s large temporary population will continue to build, and the 5-per-cent target will remain more aspirational than achievable.

Source: Why have a target for cutting temporary immigration if Canada can’t meet it?