Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has proposed a significant amendment to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) that would establish a new permanent economic immigration class specifically for semi-skilled workers. This initiative is designed to create a structured pathway to permanent residency for workers with experience and training under the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) levels 4 and 5.

The move reflects Canada’s commitment to modernizing its immigration system and recognizing the contributions of workers in essential but often overlooked roles. According to Immigration News Canada, details about this new class are expected to be published in the Canada Gazette by fall 2024.

Why a New Pathway is Necessary

This proposed pathway aims to address longstanding gaps in the current system, where TEER 4 and 5 occupations—typically those requiring a high school education or on-the-job training—have been largely excluded from federal economic immigration programs like Express Entry. As a result, many newcomers in these roles face significant barriers in transitioning to permanent residency, as noted by CAN Pathways.

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Understanding Canada’s TEER System

Introduced in 2022, Canada’s TEER system categorizes jobs based on the complexity of tasks and required qualifications. TEER levels 0 to 3 cover professions requiring higher education or specialized training, while TEER levels 4 and 5 include jobs with lower educational requirements or minimal training. This classification, explained by Immigration News Canada, currently limits the eligibility of these roles for federal immigration programs.

Impact on Low-Skilled Workers

Many immigrants initially enter Canada as temporary residents and find employment in what Statistics Canada defines as “low-skilled” sectors, such as accommodation, food services, and retail. A shift towards these sectors has been observed among temporary foreign workers (TFWs) and international students, leading to lower earnings and slower wage growth, which hinders their economic integration into Canadian society, as reported by Immigration News Canada.

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Addressing Temporary Resident Levels

The proposed pathway is part of a broader IRCC strategy to reduce Canada’s temporary resident population, which peaked at over 2 million in 2023. Earlier this year, IRCC implemented a hard cap on the number of international student applications and announced that temporary resident levels will be included in the upcoming 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, according to CIC News.

Additionally, there has been an increase in “domestic draws” within the Express Entry system, targeting candidates already residing in Canada, particularly those with provincial nominations or who are part of the Canadian Experience Class. These measures not only help IRCC meet its annual permanent residency targets but also contribute to gradually reducing the number of temporary residents in the country, as noted by CAN Pathways.