Canada’s Immigration Minister Marc Miller is introducing new incentives for provinces and territories to share the responsibility of accommodating asylum seekers. As part of the proposal, jurisdictions that agree to assist will gain the opportunity to increase their allotment of economic migrants through the coveted Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
This initiative comes amid a broader effort by the federal government to manage immigration levels. Ottawa recently instructed most provinces and territories to reduce their 2025 PNP intake by 50%. The PNP allows provinces to nominate immigrants with skills, education, and work experience tailored to their economic needs for permanent residency. It is also a key pathway for international students seeking permanent status.
Provinces such as Quebec and Nunavut, which do not participate in the PNP, remain exceptions to the policy shift.
In a social media post, Miller emphasized the need for a unified response. “Provinces and Territories that are willing to work in a responsible manner with Canada, including playing a role in taking on asylum seekers, will have an opportunity to regain coveted Provincial Nominee spots,” he wrote.
Provinces and Territories that are willing to work in a responsible manner with Canada, including playing a role in taking on asylum seekers, will have an opportunity to regain coveted Provincial Nominee spots. https://t.co/I35cZAY96O
Canada has witnessed a significant surge in asylum seekers over the past year, with Ontario and Quebec shouldering the majority of the burden. Efforts to redistribute asylum seekers across provinces have met resistance, as some jurisdictions declined federal requests for assistance, citing capacity challenges.
The situation is further complicated by potential implications from U.S. immigration policies. Donald Trump’s recent inauguration as U.S. President has raised concerns about a possible influx of asylum seekers into Canada. Trump has announced stringent measures, including deportation plans targeting undocumented migrants in the U.S.
Immigration lawyers and Bloc Québécois MPs warn that Canada must prepare for a surge of asylum seekers attempting to cross the border. In response, the federal government has allocated $1.3 billion over six years to enhance border security, including investments in helicopters and drones.
The federal directive to halve PNP allocations has sparked concern among provinces that depend on the program to meet workforce demands. Saskatchewan, for example, uses the PNP to attract skilled workers for its agriculture and mining industries.
Under the new policy, Saskatchewan’s allocation has been slashed to 3,625 spots, the province’s lowest since 2009. “Saskatchewan, along with other provinces that attract the majority of their newcomers through provincial nominee programs, will be disproportionately impacted by this cut, as larger provinces attract most of their newcomers through federal immigration programs,” the Saskatchewan government stated in an email.
Renee LeBlanc Proctor, spokesperson for Minister Miller, reiterated the importance of collaboration. “Conversations continue to take place with provinces and territories interested in stepping up and taking on a greater share of asylum seekers, and the Minister sees positive signals,” she noted.
She assured that provinces agreeing to host more asylum seekers would not be left without federal support. “It’s important for provinces and territories to remember that agreeing to take in more asylum seekers, who disproportionately land in Ontario and Quebec, does not come without support,” she added.
