Premiers want More Immigration Control

The premiers of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories are seeking greater control over immigration to address local labour shortages and economic demands.

At the forefront, Ontario Premier Doug Ford mentions plans to issue provincial work permits, leveraging constitutional powers to bypass federal delays.

This move, discussed during a three-day premiers’ summit in Muskoka, Ontario, signals a significant shift in Canada’s immigration landscape.

With public support for immigration waning and pressures mounting on housing and public services, provinces are pushing for autonomy to tailor immigration to their unique needs.

This article explores the premiers’ demands, Ford’s ambitious plan, and the broader implications for Canada’s economy and society.

The Premiers’ Call for Immigration Autonomy

At the Council of the Federation meeting, which convened all 13 provincial and territorial premiers, leaders unanimously called for increased authority over policies.

The premiers emphasized that provinces are better equipped to assess local labour market needs and address economic challenges.

By invoking Section 95 of the Canadian Constitution, which grants provinces the power to legislate on immigration matters as long as they align with federal laws, they aim to streamline processes like issuing work permits.

This push comes amid growing public discontent with immigrant levels, which have strained housing, healthcare, and other public services.

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The previous Trudeau government responded by reducing targets for permanent and temporary residents, including international students.

However, premiers argue that these cuts, particularly a 50% reduction in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), have hindered their ability to address labour shortages in key sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and services.

Doug Ford’s Bold Move: Ontario’s Work Permit Plan

Ontario Premier Doug Ford emerged as a leading voice in this debate, announcing that his province will begin issuing its own work permits to asylum seekers and other migrants.

Citing delays in federal processing—sometimes exceeding two years—Ford argued that enabling asylum seekers to work immediately would reduce their reliance on government support and allow them to contribute to Ontario’s economy.

“We have a tremendous number of asylum seekers in hotels in Etobicoke. They’re healthy, hardworking people, but they’ve been waiting over two years for work permits,” Ford said. “We’re not going to sit around and wait for the federal government.”

Ford’s plan hinges on Section 95, which Alberta Premier Danielle Smith highlighted as a legal avenue for provinces to take charge of decisions.

While details on implementation remain unclear, Ford’s office confirmed that internal work has begun to explore the necessary mechanisms and legislation.

This initiative could set a precedent for other provinces, potentially reshaping Canada’s immigration framework.

Why Provinces Want More Control

The premiers’ push for autonomy reflects the diverse economic and social realities across Canada.

Provinces like Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick rely heavily on the PNP to attract skilled workers to rural and industrial areas.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew noted that the 50% cut to the PNP threatens his province’s manufacturing and service sectors, especially amid looming tariff challenges.

Similarly, Quebec Premier François Legault highlighted inefficiencies in the federal asylum system, where processing times can take up to three years compared to three months in countries like France.

These delays burden public services and exacerbate housing shortages, a concern echoed by all premiers.

By gaining control over work permits and economic immigration, provinces aim to align newcomer integration with local priorities, ensuring migrants fill critical job vacancies while easing pressure on infrastructure.

Public Sentiment and Immigration Challenges

Public support for immigration in Canada has declined in recent years, driven by concerns over housing affordability and strained public services.

According to recent polls, many Canadians believe levels are too high, prompting the federal government to introduce measures like the Strong Borders bill.

This proposed legislation aims to tighten asylum claim eligibility and expedite application cancellations to reduce backlogs.

However, premiers argue that federal policies often fail to account for regional differences.

For example, Ontario hosts nearly 100,000 asylum seekers, many of whom are unable to work due to permit delays.

Ford emphasized that enabling these individuals to join the workforce would not only benefit them but also stimulate local economies through increased tax contributions and consumer spending.

Federal Response and Tensions

The premiers’ demands have sparked tensions with the federal government, particularly with the new Minister Lena Diab.

Ford criticized Diab for not aligning with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s apparent support for greater provincial autonomy.

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“The Prime Minister needs to be clear with his minister. She must work with provinces to fix Canada’s immigration system,” Ford stated.

In response, Diab’s spokesperson, Isabelle Buchanan, defended the minister’s commitment to collaboration, noting her experience as a former provincial immigration minister in Nova Scotia.

Buchanan highlighted a recent $3.2-billion investment over three years to fund settlement services, including language training and professional certification support, for 520 organizations outside Quebec.

“This investment equips newcomers with the skills to build their lives and contribute to Canada,” Diab said in a statement.

Despite these efforts, premiers remain frustrated with federal funding cuts to settlement services, which they argue are critical for integrating immigrants into communities and the workforce.

The Economic Case for Provincial Immigration Control

Provincial control over immigration could unlock significant economic benefits.

By tailoring immigration to local labour needs, provinces can address shortages in high-demand sectors. For example:

• • Manitoba: Relies on the PNP to fill manufacturing and service roles, particularly in rural areas.
  • Nova Scotia: Faces delays in work permit issuance, hindering economic growth in key industries.
  • New Brunswick: Seeks greater autonomy to attract workers to its aging workforce.

By issuing work permits directly, provinces could reduce dependency on federal programs and expedite the integration of newcomers.

This approach aligns with global trends, where decentralized immigration policies allow regions to address specific economic challenges.

Challenges and Considerations

While the premiers’ plan is ambitious, it faces several hurdles.

Implementing provincial work permits requires navigating complex legal and administrative frameworks.

Section 95 allows provinces to legislate on immigration, but any laws must not conflict with federal regulations.

The lack of clarity on how Ontario and other provinces will operationalize this power raises questions about feasibility and potential federal pushback.

Additionally, public perception remains a challenge.

While premiers frame their push as an economic necessity, anti-immigration sentiments could complicate implementation.

Provinces must balance economic goals with public concerns about housing and service pressures, ensuring transparent communication to maintain support.

The Role of Asylum Seekers in Ontario’s Plan

Ford’s focus on asylum seekers underscores a critical issue: many are eager to work but are stuck in limbo due to federal delays.

In Ontario, asylum seekers whose claims are accepted typically receive work permits within weeks or months, but backlogs can extend this timeline significantly.

By issuing provincial permits, Ontario could enable these individuals to secure jobs, rent homes, and contribute to society sooner.

“They want to be like every other Canadian,” Ford said.

“They want to find a job, rent a place, and eventually buy a house.”

This approach could serve as a model for other provinces, particularly those with large asylum seeker populations.

However, it requires careful coordination with federal authorities to avoid legal conflicts or administrative overlaps.

What’s Next for Canada’s Immigration System?

The premiers’ push for immigration control marks a pivotal moment in Canada’s policy landscape.

As provinces explore their constitutional powers, the federal government faces pressure to reform its approach to immigration.

The Strong Borders bill and recent settlement funding are steps in this direction, but premiers argue that more localized solutions are needed.

For Ontario, Ford’s work permit plan could redefine how asylum seekers and economic immigrants integrate into the province.

If successful, it may inspire other provinces to follow suit, creating a patchwork of regional immigration policies tailored to local needs.

The premiers’ demand for immigration autonomy, led by Doug Ford’s bold work permit initiative, signals a transformative shift in Canada’s approach to newcomers.

By leveraging constitutional powers, provinces aim to address labour shortages, reduce federal delays, and ease pressures on public services.

While challenges remain, this move could pave the way for a more responsive and regionally tailored immigration system.

As Canada navigates economic and social challenges, the collaboration between federal and provincial governments will be crucial to ensuring that immigration continues to drive growth and opportunity.

Stay updated with Immigration News Canada.

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