Ottawa urged to open up new permanent resident program to all temporary workers

Predictable call by predictable advocates:

With so many temporary residents running out of legal status this year, Ottawa has been urged to immediately release details on an announced program that’s meant to grant permanent status to migrant workers in limbo — and make sure the process is fair and inclusive.

Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab has been in the hot seat, accused of failing to promptly and properly communicate about the highly anticipated program to transition temporary foreign workers with expiring permits to permanent residence.

So far, what’s known publicly is that there will be a total 33,000 spots over two years, in 2026 and 2027, targeting skilled temporary foreign workers in in-demand sectors outside major urban centres, as well as a requirement of two years of Canadian work experience.

In an open letter published Thursday on behalf of 38 community groups, the Migrant Rights Network asked Diab to release details on the program’s full criteria, eligibility rules and application process as soon as possible. It also asked that “low-skilled and low-waged” should not be excluded.

“Thousands are shut out and the most vulnerable are exploited when the government launches narrow, time-limited programs with limited information,” said Syed Hussan of the rights network….

Source: Ottawa urged to open up new permanent resident program to all temporary workers