Growth of temporary residents in Canada slows

The number of people with temporary status continues, overall, to increase in Quebec, but much slower than before, according to the most recent data from Statistics Canada published Tuesday. For the quarter ending 1^is October, 614,677 people were non-permanent residents — i.e. asylum seekers, work or study permit holders and their companions — compared to 588,263 in the previous quarter.

This increase of around 26,000 is, however, much less than for the other two quarters of 2024, where the increase was 37,000 for the months of April-May-June and 38,000 for the first three months of the year. ‘year. “There is clearly a slowdown in the growth of temporary immigration,” notes sociologist Jean-Pierre Corbeil, associate professor at Laval University.

This considerable slowdown in Quebec, which is also observed throughout Canada, comes from the drop in the number of work permit holders, especially observable in Ontario.

In Quebec, the slowdown in the growth of temporary residents does not come at all from a drop in the number of asylum seekers, adds Professor Corbeil. “It has remained stable, there has not really been a decrease in that regard. »

Quebec is still the province that welcomes the largest proportion of asylum seekers based on its demographic weight, i.e. 40%, although its population only represents 22% of that of Canada. “It’s almost twice its demographic weight. Ontario welcomes 48% of asylum seekers, but for a demographic weight of 39%. » Alberta and British Columbia are also below their demographic weight in terms of welcoming these immigrants.

Fewer foreign students

While Canada is experiencing a drop in the number of study permit holders, Quebec does not seem affected. Even though after experiencing a small decline, study permits showed slight growth compared to the previous quarter. “The bulk of the decrease [des permis d’étude] was in Ontario,” notes the sociologist. “Quebec is not going in the same direction. »

Last October, the Minister of Immigration, Jean-François Roberge, nevertheless communicated his intention to reduce the number of international students with his Bill 74, without penalizing regional establishments. Its repercussions are not yet observable, but could be reflected in future data collection.

With Sarah Boumedda

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