In late 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), under Minister Marc Miller, implemented significant policy changes reshaping Canada's immigration framework. While the government presents these measures as necessary adjustments, critics argue they tighten pathways to permanent residency (PR), raising questions about their timing and underlying motivations as Canada approaches a pivotal federal election in 2025.
Canada's reputation as a destination for skilled immigrants and international students is under scrutiny. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off scores for Express Entry draws have increased, with recent draws requiring scores above 500 points—a threshold that excludes many applicants.
This shift has compelled more applicants to rely on employer-backed pathways requiring Labour Market Impact Assessments. However, recent changes have made LMIAs more burdensome for employers, introducing higher wage requirements, reinstating employer caps, limiting accepted documents for business verification.