Canada confirms, police verification not required for temporary immigration

The Canadian Minister of Immigration, Marc Miller, has recently clarified an important aspect of temporary immigration policy.

People traveling to Canada on temporary permits, including study visas, do not need to submit police verification certificates from their home countries. This clarification is particularly significant for international students, especially those from India, who constitute a substantial portion of Canada’s immigrant population.

The clarification was prompted by sustained questioning from Indian-origin Conservative Member of Parliament, Arpan Khanna, during a session of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration.

Khanna’s inquiries led to Minister Miller’s response, which aimed to dispel any confusion surrounding police clearance requirements.

Canadian Government Clarifies Police Clearance for Temporary Immigration

The Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has faced criticism from various quarters regarding its immigration policies. Amid housing shortages and pressure on healthcare services, Canada has been reevaluating the inflow of international students—a crucial component of its economy.

Khanna, in a post on social media, accused Trudeau’s Immigration Minister of providing misleading information about criminal background checks for temporary residents. He highlighted that the media had initially accepted the minister’s claims. However, during the committee hearing, Minister Miller clarified that he had never stated that police certificates were necessary for temporary residents. Instead, he emphasized the use of biometric verification as part of security screening.

While Minister Miller acknowledged that verification certificates might be required if an officer deems it necessary, he expressed reservations about their reliability. The minister’s cautious stance suggests that these certificates may not always provide accurate information.

Recent developments in Canada’s immigration policy have further complicated the situation. Prince Edward Island (PEI) became the first province to reduce the number of immigrants eligible for permanent residency. Indian students on study visas have even resorted to a hunger strike in response to policy changes, fearing deportation. PEI’s decision to cut the number of workers eligible for permanent residency through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) has added to the uncertainty faced by immigrants.

Canada’s clarification regarding police verification requirements provides relief for temporary immigrants, but ongoing debates and policy shifts continue to impact the immigrant community, particularly students seeking a better future in the country.

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