Delaying IRCC PGWP reforms to address disruptive omissions in program eligibility

November 1, 2024

Subject: Delaying IRCC PGWP reforms to address disruptive omissions in program eligibility

Dear Prime Minster Trudeau,

On behalf of The Brockville Chamber of Commerce, I write to express our deep concerns with the federal government’s recent reforms to the Post-Grad Work Permit (PGWP) program. These drastic and hastily rolled out reforms to the PGWP program threaten our ability to fill critical labour gaps while jeopardizing the integrity of the strategic talent pipeline we rely on to do business. Unless immediate intervention is taken, the impacts to our local and regional economic prosperity will be significant.

At first glance, it is clear the eligibility list released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on Oct. 4th contains glaring — and potentially unintentional — omissions. Brockville area businesses, and overall economic growth and sustainability relies on a steady stream of job ready public college graduates in programs offered in our community by St. Lawrence College including nursing, early childhood education, and more not covered under the current national list of labour market needs eligible for PGWP’s.

We urge the federal government to delay the rushed and poorly thought-out implementation of PGWP reforms as these changes will have profound negative impacts on the day to day lives of Ontarians and Canadians across the country. We further underscore the need to consult and work with Ontario to address our unique labour-market needs. Delaying implementation beyond November 1st will afford the government the opportunity to engage with industry, the province and with the public college sector to address gaps, limit disruptions to businesses, reduce confusion and tackle other already-apparent implementation challenges.

While we understand the federal government’s intent of reducing temporary migrant flows to Canada, destabilizing strategic local talent pipelines and risking the closure of the college programs we rely on is not the way. We urge you once again to delay implementation and to engage collaboratively to safeguard the businesses and services Ontarians rely on.

Sincerely,

Pamela Roberston, Executive Director

Brockville Chamber of Commerce