Asylum in Canada

Following growing calls from Sudanese Canadians, Ottawa has pledged to resettle 4,700 refugees fleeing the ongoing civil war in Sudan. The federal government will provide support for 4,000 refugees, while 700 will be admitted through private sponsorship.

Marc Miller, has expressed concern over the rising number of international students seeking asylum to stay in the country, calling it an "alarming trend."

Immigration Minister Marc Miller plans to propose reforms to Canada’s immigration and asylum systems amid reduced permanent resident targets and stricter temporary worker rules.

Canada has seen a significant rise in refugee acceptance rates, with approved claims more than doubling from 14,000 in 2018 to nearly 37,000 in 2023. By 2024, 82% of claims were approved, up from 64% in 2018. However, a closer look reveals stark disparities based on the claimants’ countries of origin.

Recent discussions around Canada’s asylum and refugee policies highlight the complex challenges of maintaining humanitarian principles while addressing domestic concerns. Immigration Minister Marc Miller recently reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to processing Syrian refugee claims, even as European nations withdraw support for Syrian asylum seekers following the fall of Bashar Assad's regime. While Canada has taken in 45,000 Syrian refugees since 2015, some voices advocate for halting new applications, citing risks of regime supporters or terrorist fighters entering the country during this transitional period.

An Ontario court has approved a class-action lawsuit against the federal government, initiated by immigration detainees held in provincial jails. Representing 8,360 individuals detained by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) between 2016 and 2023, the suit addresses the harsh conditions faced by detainees, who were treated like criminal inmates.

Ottawa will give Quebec $750 million to address the surge in temporary immigrants while promising quicker asylum claim processing and better distribution of refugees across Canada.

Canada's immigration department will soon offer transitional financial assistance to Gazans arriving in the country, ensuring they can cover basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing as they settle in and seek employment. More details on the program will be shared by IRCC once available.

Last month, the Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association (CILA) proposed reforms to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) to address outdated policies since its inception in 2001. Here are the key recommendations:

In a year-end interview, Immigration Minister Marc Miller highlighted the strain on Canada’s immigration system, describing it as “overheated” due to record-high numbers of newcomers in recent years. He emphasized that this surge has challenged the longstanding consensus on the benefits of immigration, prompting his department to introduce stricter measures in 2024 to restore balance.

Your Journey to Canada Made Clear by ICP

Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller voiced his frustration with people blaming immigrants for various issues, following Quebec Premier François Legault's claim that temporary immigrants are responsible for the housing crisis.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller criticized Canadian universities for admitting too many students from India and emphasized the need for more diversity among international students. Speaking at a roundtable in Brampton, he also reiterated the government’s focus on prioritizing "quality" over "quantity" in immigration policies.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller explained the recent pause in private refugee sponsorships, citing an "oversupply" of applications and the need for realistic commitments to resettle refugees effectively.

New Brunswick's restaurants, food processors, and other industries relying on immigrant workers are facing potential closures due to a federal decision to reduce immigration allocations.

Newfoundland and Labrador has secured an extra 1,000 PNP nominations for 2025, increasing its total to 2,525. This follows a deal with the federal government, where the province agreed to take in 290 humanitarian migrants over two years in exchange for a higher PNP quota.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault has suggested creating "waiting zones" for asylum seekers, similar to France's approach. He argues that Quebec hosts 45% of asylum seekers in Canada, while only making up 22% of the population.

A 20-year-old Toronto-area resident originally from Pakistan, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, who initially came to Canada on a student visa, faces allegations of planning a mass attack against Jews in New York.

Canada offers refugee protection to individuals who fear persecution or face danger in their home countries. Here's an overview of the key criteria and outcomes for those seeking asylum:

On August 2, on the 10th anniversary of the massacre in Sinjar, Yazidi survivors gathered at Queen’s Park in Toronto to urge the Canadian government to fulfill its promise of reuniting them with family members left behind.