Marc Miller, Canada’s new Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (IRCC), has made his first public remarks in interviews with RedFM Canada, CBC Radio Canada, and Bloomberg News. 

These interviews provide some insight into his perspective on certain critical aspects of the Canadian immigration landscape. 

Current levels of immigration and the value of increasing immigration to Canada 

Minister Miller has stated that immigration is critical to alleviating worker shortages across Canada, notably in agricultural trades and healthcare. 

According to Miller, immigration is necessary to “develop [Canada], to make [it] a better place… [and] to ensure that our economy thrives.” 

Miller underlines the relevance of immigration to this country by stating that it helps Canada battle the country’s aging natural population. As a result, the IRCC’s strategy is to either maintain or increase immigration levels over time. 

“I don’t see a situation where we cut [immigration targets], because the need is too tremendous… I’ll have to think about whether we should adjust them upwards or downwards, but I don’t think we’ll decrease them.” 

Express Entry and the State of Economic Immigration 

Economic immigration has been and will continue to be a priority for Canada. Noting that around 60% of immigration to Canada is currently “economically directed,” Canada’s new immigration minister has stated unequivocally that IRCC intends to maintain this level. 

Miller does, however, concede that processing timeframes for economic immigrants in Canada are not where IRCC would like them to be. He claims that the administration is working hard in the future to reduce processing times. 

On Express Entry and, more specifically, IRCC’s new category-based draws, Miller stated that the federal government is dedicated on ensuring that Canada promptly brings in qualified immigrants who work in critical trades needed across the country. 

Identifying and combating foreign student fraud 

Given the recent national spotlight on international student fraud, particularly the case involving 700 international students throughout Canada, IRCC acknowledges the need to address this issue head on.

Miller acknowledges that the present visa procedure for international students in Canada has created “integrity challenges,” which have generated a lot of anxiety for some people who want to study here. International students are given “false hope,” in Miller’s words, and they are sometimes unable to pursue their dreams in our country because they are misled. 

To that end, IRCC recognizes that it must do a better job of protecting overseas students who come to this country by ensuring that fraudulent actors do not take advantage of those who are simply wanting to better their lives via a Canadian education. 

Rejecting the link between housing problems and immigration

 According to Miller, immigration is not the cause of Canada’s housing shortages across the country.As a result, Miller objects to the fact that immigrants are frequently blamed for displacing Canadians and generating housing inflation.

Miller contends that this discussion is frequently far more complicated. 

“Certainly, the doubling or tripling of home equity values, as well as the expense for someone… to acquire [a property], has raised… has nothing to do with immigration.” 

In reality, Miller prefers to dismiss the link between housing supply concerns and immigration by highlighting that the solution to some of Canada’s most pressing issues, including housing supply, may be found in immigration itself. 

“If people want the dental care, health care, and affordable housing that they expect, the best way to get that skilled labour in this country is to get that skilled labour in this country.” 

The Immigration Future in Canada

Miller underlined his commitment to fairness and compassion as Canada’s new Immigration Minister in an effort to reassure both Canadians and prospective immigrants.

The IRCC recognizes that Canada’s immigration system has shortcomings. This is especially true when it comes to foreign certification recognition in Canada. Indeed, Miller admits that it is unfair that entering immigrants are sometimes forced to forego the hard work and expertise gained in their specialized professions back home.

To that end, Miller believes that it is critical for Canada’s federal government, as well as the country’s provinces and territories, to hold open discussions about the correct regulation of professions in the country – because immigration, once again, is vital to Canada’s past, present, and future.

“I’ve come to be a part of a government that is open, fair, and compassionate when it comes to our immigration system.” This is the country’s future, its future face, and [I’m] proud to be a part of it.”