In its 2025-2026 Departmental Plan, Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has placed strong emphasis on enabling temporary residents — notably workers — to transition to permanent residence, with a focus on filling labour shortages in rural and Northern regions of Canada.
The plan outlines strategic objectives to ensure that temporary foreign workers and other non-permanent permit holders receive clearer, more accessible pathways to stay permanently, wherever they contribute to critical industries and fulfill local job needs.
Key Priorities & Commitments
• Expand programs and pilot projects that accelerate permanence for skilled workers already in Canada.
• Target efforts in rural, remote and Northern communities to both attract labour and retain temporary residents through settlement supports, improved access to services, and regional immigration streams.
• Enhance selection criteria to better match labour market shortages, especially in sectors facing chronic staffing gaps.
• Streamline the application and approval processes to reduce backlogs and delays for temporary residents seeking permanent status.
These measures reflect IRCC’s broader goal of strengthening Canada’s immigration system to be more responsive to demographic shifts, regional workforce needs, and existing economic disparities.
Date: 29 April 2025
Source: Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada — “Departmental Plan 2025-2026” (canada.ca)
