Canada Tightens Immigration Point System

Canada is implementing significant changes to its immigration policy that will eliminate additional points for foreign workers seeking permanent residency who have job offers supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This decision, announced by Immigration Minister Marc Miller, aims to combat fraud and enhance the integrity of the immigration system amid rising concerns over LMIA misuse. The reform is part of a broader strategy to reduce immigration levels and address issues such as unemployment and housing shortages in Canada. The removal of these points is expected to deter candidates from purchasing LMIAs, which have been associated with fraudulent practices. Statistics Canada recently reported the slowest population growth since early 2022, signaling the government's intention to tighten immigration controls further. Nearly 71,300 LMIAs were approved in the first quarter of 2024, highlighting the scale of the temporary foreign worker program's reliance on job offers for immigration qualification.