OTTAWA — Emphasizing the centrality of citizenship in immigration policy, Conservative Party’s critic Tom Kmiec stressed the importance of directing efforts towards achieving permanent residency for newcomers during a panel discussion in Ottawa.
Kmiec voiced concern over the significant surge in temporary residents in Canada, highlighting the challenge posed by a limited number of permanent resident opportunities available amidst a pool of aspiring immigrants.
“We don’t want people just to come here, work here for a few years, and then leave,” Kmiec stated during an interview following the panel at the Canada Strong and Free Network conference. “You can see the numbers are getting worse and worse.”
The panel, which explored conservative approaches to address Canada’s escalating population growth, underscored the need for integration of individuals into Canadian society on a permanent basis, as acknowledged by the Liberal government citing the current trend as unsustainable.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller’s commitment in March to impose a “soft cap” on the influx of temporary residents and to stabilize the number of new permanent residents expected by 2026 was noted. However, Kmiec emphasized the necessity of addressing the challenges faced by newcomers in Canada, including tackling extensive processing delays.
“There has not been enough emphasis on citizenship in recent years in Canada,” remarked Aaron Wudrick, Director of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute’s domestic policy program, during the panel discussion, highlighting the prevailing focus on immigration as an economic endeavor.
Acknowledging the heightened scrutiny faced by the Liberal government due to the repercussions of escalating temporary residency, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre proposed the potential linkage of immigration levels to new housing starts. Wudrick cautioned that such a measure might entail short-term reductions in immigration, potentially impacting labor availability and pricing.
Quebec Conservative Leader Eric Duhaime advocated for increased provincial autonomy in immigration decisions, echoing calls from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith for greater provincial control over immigration targets.
Discussing the prospects of federal Conservative policy in this regard, Kmiec hinted at ongoing debates within the conservative movement, suggesting that the issue might feature prominently in the party’s future election platform.