Canadian minister seeks more opportunities for temporary residents to gain permanent residency

Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller has announced his intention to pursue more “domestic draws” for temporary residents already in Canada who are candidates for permanent residence (PR), as reported by CIC News.

"Draws" reference PR selection rounds through pathways like Express Entry managed programs, wherein candidates from a pool are chosen based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores—or for specific professional experience or French language ability—and issued invitations to apply (ITAs) for PR.

The Minister's remarks were made within a comprehensive statement addressing the management of temporary resident numbers in Canada, aimed at alleviating strains on vital sectors such as housing and healthcare.


Temporary residents are defined as those living or working in Canada on a non-permanent basis including foreign nationals on a work or study permit who reside in Canada, says CIC News.

“As part of our efforts for temporary residents to transition to permanent residency, we will have more domestic draws for us (the federal government) and ask provinces and territories taking part in the Provincial Nominee Program to do the same with their allocations,” Miller said.

What does this mean for newcomers already in Canada?

Miller's statements suggest a possible inclination towards focusing on individuals already in Canada on work or study permits as potential candidates for permanent residency. However, it's important to recognize that the exact impact of Miller's remarks on policy remains uncertain.

Canada's immigration system has previously shown a tendency to favor candidates already present in the country, although this approach is not entirely new, according to CIC News report.

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is one of the immigration programs under the management of Express Entry, serving as Canada's specific federal route for candidates who have already established themselves in the country's job market and society.

Similarly, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) represent another avenue for immigration that frequently focuses on individuals who have started to become a part of Canadian society. These programs are mainly administered by provincial and territorial authorities, who often extend invitations to candidates residing within their respective jurisdictions.