Marco Mendicino: Immigration Key to Canada’s Economic Recovery

Yesterday Canada’s Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino participated in a webinar with the Canadian Bar Association to talk about how the coronavirus pandemic will impact the future of Canadian immigration.

In the 60-minute long discussion, Mendicino assured members of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) that COVID-19 will not change Canada’s long-term immigration goals. 

He stated that Canada will continue to rely on immigration and that it would be the key to the country’s economic recovery in the months and years ahead.

Mendicino stated that, although Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) staff are now working remotely, they are doing their best to process applications in a timely and efficient manner. 

He stated that the pandemic would likely force IRCC to innovate the way it processes immigration applications, which could have a positive impact on the future of Canadian immigration.

Temporary Foreign Workers

Mendicino also assured the CBA that they are working hard to protect Canada’s food supply while continuing to keep Canadians safe. The IRCC is in close contact with the agriculture and fishing industries and is working to expedite work permits and remove barriers for foreign workers.

International Students

Mendicino acknowledged that more flexibility is needed for international students at this time. 

He referenced IRCC’s recent Post-Graduation Work Permit reform which enables international students who take online courses to remain eligible for the PGWP.

The Canadian government has also lifted restrictions on the number of hours international students are allowed to work.

The IRCC is currently working closely with Canada’s designated learning institutions to understand how it can best support international students who are in the process of enrolling for the Fall semester. 

If you’re interested in learning more about your Canadian immigration options at this time, the first step is to fill out our free online assessment!