Premiers Demand Immigration Control; Ontario Eyes 100K Work Permits

All 13 provincial and territorial leaders gathered in Muskoka, Ontario. They called for more power to manage immigration. They said provinces know their job needs better than the federal government.

They want to speed up hiring workers where needed most—like healthcare, factories, and services. They plan to use a section in the Constitution to support their request.

Doug Ford’s Bold New Plan
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the province will start its own work permits. These permits will help asylum seekers and migrants work faster without long waits.

Ford said delays in federal processing hurt both workers and the economy. “They’ve waited over two years,” he said. “We can’t wait any longer.”

He believes people ready to work should not sit in hotels or shelters. His office already began planning how to make the permits possible.

Why Provinces Are Taking Charge
Many provinces depend on the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to bring in skilled workers. But recent cuts to that program made it harder for them to fill local jobs.

Premiers from Manitoba and Nova Scotia said their industries are struggling. They said long wait times hurt small towns and growing cities.

Quebec’s leader said the federal system is too slow. He compared Canada’s three-year wait to France’s three-month process.

Immigration Strains Public Services
Public support for immigration has dropped. People are worried about rising rents and crowded hospitals.

Surveys show many Canadians want fewer newcomers. In response, the government cut immigration targets and created the “Strong Borders” bill to limit asylum claims.

But premiers say those changes ignore the different needs of each province.

Ford pointed out that Ontario has almost 100,000 asylum seekers. Many want to work but can’t because of permit delays.

Tensions Between Federal and Provincial Leaders
Ford criticized Canada’s immigration minister for not helping enough. He said the minister needs to follow the prime minister’s lead and work with provinces.

The federal government defended its actions. It said it recently spent $3.2 billion to support immigrants. This includes job training and help with language skills.

Still, premiers feel that support isn’t enough, especially after budget cuts to newcomer programs.

The Economic Benefits of Provincial Control
If provinces get more control, they could bring workers faster into jobs. They could match workers to where they’re needed most.

For example, New Brunswick needs young workers for its aging population. Manitoba depends on newcomers for factories and service jobs. Nova Scotia wants faster permit processing to grow its economy.

Giving provinces power could lead to faster hiring and stronger local economies.

Challenges Ahead
The idea of provincial work permits faces hurdles. Any new laws must match federal rules. It’s unclear how each province will handle the changes.

Public opinion is also a challenge. Some people are nervous about immigration. Premiers must explain the benefits clearly to keep public trust.

Focus on Asylum Seekers
Ford’s main concern is with asylum seekers. Many of them are healthy and ready to work. But delays stop them from finding jobs or housing.

Ford said, “They want to find a job, rent a place, and eventually buy a house.” Ontario’s plan could help them do that faster.

Other provinces may follow Ontario’s lead if the plan works.

What’s Next for Canada?
The push by premiers shows a major change in how Canada may handle immigration. If Ontario’s plan succeeds, more provinces could try the same.

This could lead to different immigration systems across Canada. While that may seem complex, it could help each region meet its needs better.

The federal government and provinces will need to work together to find the best path forward.