Justin Trudeau's government returns to its promise of mass regularization of undocumented immigrants

Polls have shown a discernible shift in Canadian public opinion toward immigration, while Justin Trudeau's Liberals face pressure from the Conservatives.

The Canadian Minister of Immigration closed the door on Wednesday, November 13, to a plan for the massive regularization of undocumented immigrants before the next elections, a promise from Justin Trudeau which had raised the hopes of hundreds of thousands of migrants. This promise from the Canadian Prime Minister dates from a few years ago but, since then, polls have shown a perceptible change in public opinion towards immigration after years of a policy considered very open.

“No massive regularization plan is on the agenda, at least before the next election”Immigration Minister Marc Miller told reporters in Vancouver after a meeting with business leaders. “That's not to say that in some areas where we need an essential workforce there won't be an opportunity for some sort of smaller-scale regularization.”he added.

Between 100,000 and one million people are undocumented in Canada, according to different estimates. Questioned in May by AFP, the minister still promised a program “ambitious” in the coming months, but recognized that he “wouldn't be for everyone”. Canada has sought in recent years to reduce the number of migrants through reforms, whether asylum seekers, foreign students or temporary workers. “It is clear that the era of unlimited supply of low-cost foreign labor is over”commented Minister Marc Miller.

The Liberal government of Justin Trudeau, a minority, faces a conservative opposition which seeks to provoke early elections and which polls give a 20-point lead. The next elections must technically be held before October 20, 2025.