Migrant Advocacy Groups Urge Canada to Reverse Immigration Cuts and Grant Permanent Residency for All

 Migrant and refugee advocacy groups across Canada are intensifying their calls for the federal government to reverse recent immigration cuts, grant permanent residency to all migrants, and implement sweeping reforms in housing, healthcare, and labor protections.

At a series of press conferences and rallies held in major cities including Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, representatives from the Migrant Rights Network and allied organizations condemned the government’s drastic and misguided changes to immigration policy over the past 18 months.

These changes include significant reductions in permanent residency admissions, new restrictions on international students and temporary foreign workers, and a sharp decrease in refugee resettlement spots.

Advocacy groups warn that these measures will force 2.3 million people out of Canada over the next two years, deepening an already severe humanitarian crisis.

This government’s decision to slash immigration and scapegoat migrants for the housing and affordability crises is cruel, unjust, and economically short-sighted, said Sarom Rho, spokesperson for the Migrant Rights Network.

Migrants are vital to Canada’s communities and economy—we need permanent residency and rights, not cuts and exploitation.

Advocates argue that the current system, which relies heavily on temporary and employer-restricted permits, leaves migrants vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, and family separation. They are urging the government to:

Reverse all recent immigration cuts and halt planned expulsions of migrants and refugees.

Grant permanent residency to all migrants, including international students, temporary foreign workers, refugees, and undocumented people.

Abolish closed work permits to prevent employer-based exploitation.

Launch a comprehensive and inclusive regularization program for undocumented migrants.

Address systemic failures in housing, healthcare, and labor protections, rather than blaming migrants for the affordability crisis.

Community leaders emphasize that permanent resident status is essential for migrants to access rights and protections in Canada. Without permanent resident status, migrants are left vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, and in some cases, even death, said Karen Cocq of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change.

The advocacy groups’ demands come as the federal government faces mounting criticism for its approach to immigration and as Parliament prepares to review the 2025–2027 immigration levels.

Civil society organizations warn that failing to deliver on promises of regularization and expanded rights for migrants will have lasting social and political consequences.

The federal government has yet to respond directly to the latest demands, but the debate over the future of Canada’s immigration system is expected to intensify in the coming weeks.