Marc Miller’s blueprint includes measures to better align immigration programs ‘with the needs of the country’
Immigration Minister Marc Miller unveiled a blueprint Tuesday to better align Canada’s immigration system to the country’s needs, with changes that include a program to encourage newcomers to settle in small towns, francophone communities, rural areas and the North.
Speaking at the press conference at an Ottawa migrants’ centre offering employment and skills support, Mr. Miller said it was important not to look at newcomers as “a drain on the system” but of benefit to Canada, though he said a “social consensus” onA recent survey published by the Environics Institute found support for immigration has fallen sharply over the past year as Canadians increasingly tie affordability and housing concerns to a historic influx of newcomers.
On Wednesday, the federal government plans to publish its targets for the number of permanent residents it plans to permit until 2026.
He signalled the development of an enhanced francophone immigration policy with targets to increase the number moving to Canada. More support for francophone students from sub-Saharan African countries such as Cameroon would help address barriers to coming here. Currently many are put off because of the requirement for foreign students to have at least $10,000 to support themselves for a year to obtain a study permit.