In a recent statement, The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, told us about Canada’s dedication to supporting migrants from the Western Hemisphere on a humanitarian basis. The minister outlined several key initiatives and pathways aimed at providing economic opportunities and regular migration channels, to avoid irregular migration, to individuals in the Americas.
Recently, Canada announced its plan to welcome 15,000 migrants from the Western Hemisphere, signifying a commitment to addressing forced displacement. To reach this promise, Canada is announcing permanent resident humanitarian and economic pathways, and temporary work programs too. As part of this initiative, Canada is actively welcoming 4,000 temporary foreign workers from the region in 2023, with many having already arrived in the country. Current trends indicate that Canada is on track to meet this target.
Moreover, Canada is collaborating with non-governmental organizations in the region to harness the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot. This program assists skilled refugees and other displaced individuals in their immigration journey to Canada.
Minister Miller also introduced a new humanitarian permanent residence pathway for up to 11,000 Colombians, Haitians, and Venezuelans. This pathway will enable foreign nationals from these countries, located in Central or South America or the Caribbean, with relative family connections in Canada to apply for permanent residence. The main applicants include children (regardless of age), grandchildren, spouses, common-law partners, parents, grandparents, or siblings of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. To support this pathway, Canada will provide pre-arrival services, including employment skills assessments and referrals to settlement provider organizations in their intended communities. Detailed information about this new pathway will be available closer to its launch, set for this fall.
Canada is actively collaborating with international organizations, including the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), to comprehend the regional context and humanitarian needs associated with migration in the Americas. The country also supports the work of safe mobility offices in the region, which aim to identify individuals for humanitarian and other regular migration pathways.
In addition to the commitment to welcome 15,000 migrants, Canada remains deeply engaged in addressing migration and protection issues in the Americas. Efforts are underway to increase refugee resettlement from the region, in alignment with goals such as the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, and the North American Leaders’ Summits.
Also, he revealed some important data that shows Canada’s effort to improve immigration:
“We are increasing our assistance for capacity-building efforts in the region by investing $75 million over six years for projects across Latin America and the Caribbean. These projects focus on strengthening asylum capacity and better-integrating migrants and refugees into local communities and labour markets. This support will help countries, including those that refugees and migrants are coming from, travelling through, or are being hosted in, address the challenges of irregular migration, while also improving the quality of life for migrants and refugees.” Said The Honourable Minister, Marc Miller.
In a global landscape where the displacement of people in search of safety is at an all-time high, Canada recognizes the unprecedented numbers of migrants in the Americas seeking refuge and new opportunities. By closely collaborating with the United States, Canada aims to curtail irregular migration and promote safe, regular pathways as alternatives to the often perilous irregular routes in the Americas.