According to a recent report by the Conference Board of Canada (CoBC), Temporary residents prefer settling outside Canada’s major cities.
The research, which examined data from 2016 to 2021, found notable differences in the immigration trends of urban centers and the areas around them. Notably, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Quebec both saw the largest number of foreigners, with the majority of them residing in the ring of census divisions surrounding Montreal, Laval, and Longueuil.
Particularly, areas bordering York (to the north of Toronto) and Peel (to the west of Toronto, including Mississauga) had immigrant percentages of 8.1% and 5.4%, respectively. On the other hand, the percentage of immigrants outside of these regions increased dramatically, from 19% to 30%. For example, between 2016 and 2021, the Simcoe census division in Ontario experienced an astounding 33.58% increase in the immigrant population.
Temporary resident figures have experienced a recent uptick
According to the survey, the recent increase in temporary residents in Canada—those with work permits, study permits, or visitor visas—is mostly responsible for the boom of newcomers relocating to rural areas.
Recent statistics from Statistics Canada, which show that in 2023, temporary residents made up 804,901 of all new immigrants to Canada—nearly twice as many as permanent residents welcomed—support this trend.
The CoCB analysis states that the population of temporary residents increased by more than doubling in numerous Canadian regions between 2016 and 2021, with growth rates above 1000 percent in certain of these places. Once again, rural districts of Quebec experienced the greatest increase in temporary residents; some of these communities reported growth rates as high as 1,520 percent.
According to the survey, most temporary residents (as well as their families who accompanied them) who settled in rural areas did so largely under work permits, while international students and temporary foreign workers were more common in metropolitan areas.
As a result, non-urban areas are seeing a sharp increase in population and a change in demographics.
For example, Prince Edward Island had a notable increase in the number of female temporary residents between 2016 and 2021, indicating a growing need for services specific to women in the province, like healthcare and settlement support. Although the population transitions in other provinces might be different, they will all face comparable difficulties.
Alterations in the levels of temporary residents in 2024
Providing for the requirements of Canada’s growing population causes many citizens to worry about the country’s already overburdened healthcare system and the growing lack of affordable homes. Recent surveys of public opinion, released at the end of the previous year, indicate a noticeable drop in public support for high immigration levels since 2022.
On March 19, Canada’s Immigration Minister Marc Miller made a number of announcements concerning the number of temporary residents entering the country. Interestingly, he revealed that the future Immigration Levels Plan will now include temporary residents.
The current Plan sets goals for the quantity of permanent residents that Canada hopes to accept in the next year as well as target ranges for the next two years. According to the Minister, integrating levels for temporary residents into the Plan can serve as a “soft cap” on the number of temporary residents who may be admitted to Canada in the future.
The minister also announced a rise in “domestic draws” for people looking to move to Canada permanently. This suggests that those who are currently working and living in Canada as temporary residents may be in a better position should they choose to seek for permanent residence through Express Entry or a Provincial Nominee Program.
On January 22, IRCC also announced a cap on the number of international study permits expected to be issued in 2024. This policy seeks to stabilize unsustainable numbers of foreign students, many of whom have experienced inadequate support during their academic careers.
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