Recognize Commitment to Canada in Immigration

Goals

Canada must reward immigrants' success and commitment to contributing to Canada, not just their qualifications prior to arrival. Our current system admits immigrants based on potential, then largely abandons them to navigate integration alone, resulting in declining citizenship rates, poor civic participation, and growing outmigration. We propose creating a points-based recognition system that continuously evaluates immigrants' contributions. In this way we can provide a path to permanent residency and citizenship with regular clear feedback, all while ensuring Canada's immigration system is better able to fill labour gaps at all levels. That means not just high-education and high-paying, but also mid- and entry- jobs by encouraging immigrants to settle where economic opportunities exist.

• Increase immigrant citizenship rates to 70% within five years (up from the current 45.7%¹) through a transparent points system that rewards community engagement and economic contribution
• Reduce immigrant outmigration by 50% within five years by creating stronger incentives for long-term commitment to Canada

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Background and Motivation

Canada has built an identity as a welcoming nation with a uniquely successful approach to immigration. Immigrants now make up more than 23% of our population² and we've traditionally prided ourselves on exceptional integration outcomes. In 2019, we ranked as the world's most accepting country for migrants³.

But beneath these accolades, troubling trends have emerged. The rate at which permanent residents become citizens – a key indicator of political integration – has plummeted. In 2001, approximately 75% of permanent residents became citizens within ten years⁴. By 2021, this had fallen to only 45.7%, a staggering 40% decline. Even among those who do become citizens, political participation lags. Naturalized citizens who have lived in Canada for over a decade vote at lower rates. In the most recent federal election they only had a turnout of 71% compared to 77% for Canadian-born voters, and newer citizens had even lower turnout at 66%⁵.

More concerning still is the "leaky bucket". Over 15% of immigrants admitted between 1982 and 2017 left Canada within 20 years of landing⁶. Roughly one in five immigrants eventually emigrates from Canada⁷ and over one-third of those who leave do so within the first five years of arriving. Recent years have seen this trend worsen, with 2020 recording the highest percentage of immigrants leaving Canada since record-keeping began. 

When immigrants leave quickly after arrival, they become a net drain on social services without giving back to the country. They consume settlement resources, healthcare, and education without giving back long-term to our economy and communities. This contributes to a large population of Canadian expats – currently around 600,000⁸ – who became naturalized citizens and then left, benefitting from the country without giving back. This revolving door undermines the entire premise of our immigration system and wastes billions in integration investments.

Simultaneously, public support for immigration has collapsed. For decades, 60-80% of Canadians agreed that immigration made a positive contribution. But attitudes have hardened dramatically since 2022. According to the Environics Focus Canada survey in Fall 2024, 58% of Canadians now say Canada accepts "too many" immigrants – a sharp rise of 17 percentage points from just two years earlier and the first time in 25 years that a clear majority holds this view⁹. This represents the largest two-year shift since tracking began in 1977. 

To maintain Canada’s reputation as a welcoming country we must reverse this trend. People must feel that we are integrating and setting up immigrants for success, or else they will stop supporting bringing more people to the country.

These concerns are closely tied to worries about immigration's impact on housing and public services and to address these issues we must build more housing and increase the effectiveness of our service delivery. But, it’s not just concerns about overall immigration levels. An increasing number of Canadians are expressing doubts about who is being admitted to the country and how well they are integrating into Canadian society. A recent Environics poll found that 57% now believe that many immigrants are not accepting Canadian values and 35% say that “immigration increases the level of crime in Canada.”¹⁰

Yet, committed immigrants who put down roots in Canada show remarkably positive outcomes. Research indicates that "the longer respondents have lived in Canada, the more likely it is that they have volunteered." And, on average immigrants donate more to charity than Canadian-born citizens¹¹.

Immigrants also drive entrepreneurship. As of 2022, immigrant-majority-owned businesses account for about 21.7% of all private businesses in Canada¹². In 2016, 11.9% of working-age immigrants were either business owners or primarily self-employed, compared to 8.4% of third-generation Canadians. Approximately 5.2% of immigrants owned incorporated companies with employees, slightly above the rate for Canadian-born individuals.

The facts tell a clear story: when immigrants fully commit to Canada, they become extraordinary contributors. But too many never reach that point. They either disengage from civic life or leave entirely. Our current system focuses exclusively on admission criteria with no mechanism to encourage ongoing commitment after arrival. Once admitted, immigrants receive little guidance or incentive to build lasting ties to Canada. If we do not turn this around, not only will we fail to capitalize on the unique value that immigrants could bring to our country but we also risk losing the incredible pro-immigration consensus that Canadians have rightly proud of.

We must close the current policy gap by creating a system that rewards post-arrival contributions as much as pre-arrival qualifications. We must clearly communicate what we value in new Canadians and provide tangible recognition for those who demonstrate commitment through work, taxation, community involvement, and family integration.

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Real-World Solutions

• Canada's Express Entry System already incorporates elements of "earning" permanent residence. Skilled workers often enter on temporary permits and must prove themselves by working, paying taxes, and following laws before gaining permanent status. The Express Entry system awards extra points for Canadian work or study experience, recognizing time spent contributing in Canada. After obtaining permanent residency, immigrants can apply for citizenship within a few years if they have filed taxes for at least 3 out of 5 years and passed citizenship tests¹³.
  

• Germany's Accelerated Citizenship¹⁴ pathway traditionally requires 8 years of legal residence before naturalization, but rewards integration efforts with shorter timelines. Completing a state integration course (covering language and civic education) reduces the requirement to 7 years. Even more impressive, "exceptional integration achievements" like advanced language proficiency, outstanding professional accomplishments, or significant voluntary civic engagement can reduce the wait to just 6 years.
  
  
• Italy's Integration Agreement (Accordo di Integrazione)¹⁵ created in 2012 establishes a progression framework for the first two years of residence. Non-EU immigrants start with 16 points and must accumulate at least 30 points within 2-3 years by completing integration milestones. Positive civic actions earn points: attending Italian language classes, passing civics tests, obtaining educational certificates, or volunteering in community activities. Negative actions subtract points, including criminal offenses or serious administrative violations. Reaching 30 points facilitates residence permit renewal, while failing to reach this threshold can result in permit denial.
  
  
• South Korea's Long-Term Residency Visa Program¹⁶ (F-2-7) uses a comprehensive points system that explicitly includes civic integration. Applicants must accrue at least 80 points out of a possible 120+ across categories including age, education, income, Korean language proficiency, and integration efforts. Volunteer service earns up to 7 extra points for sustained community work (3+ years). Completing the Korean Immigration and Integration Program grants additional points. The system also imposes point deductions for negative behavior—violations of immigration law or criminal offenses can subtract 10-40 points depending on severity. Higher total points yield longer residence permits (3-5 years versus 1 year for minimum qualification). The program has successfully attracted skilled foreigners who integrate into society rather than remaining isolated expatriates.

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What Needs To Be Done

With so many people wanting to immigrate to Canada, we have the ability to accept only those who want to contribute to the Canadian economy and society. This proposal aims to give more people a chance to show they wish to be part of our society and then reward them based on their efforts.

Canada must transform its immigration system to focus not just on who we let in but how we recognize their ongoing commitment to Canada. In this way we can directly address the "leaky bucket" by ensuring that only immigrants who demonstrate commitment to Canada through sustained economic contribution, community involvement, and social integration advance to permanent residency and citizenship — filtering out those who would obtain status merely as a passport of convenience before departing.

Reform to Entry and Evaluation Criteria

Rather than the current system that evaluates only prior to arrival, this will change the system to also focus on activities after an immigrant has arrived in Canada. All immigration applicants except visitor visa holders will initially receive a two-year temporary visa with work authorization, regardless of which immigration program they qualify under (economic class, family reunification, asylum, student, etc.). During this two-year period, immigrants will earn or lose points based on their participation in Canadian society.

After a minimum of two years in Canada, temporary visa holders with at least 900 points can apply for permanent residency. Following a minimum of two additional years as permanent residents (total of four years in Canada), those with at least 1,200 points can apply for citizenship.

There should be an expedited processing track for exceptional contributors. After four years on a temporary visa, individuals with over 1,200 points will receive priority processing for both permanent residency and citizenship applications.

Point Accumulation Limits

Point accumulation is cumulative and where point accumulations conflict the largest potential source of points will be provided. To ensure balanced integration, we will cap points from individual categories:

• Maximum 900 points from taxes and work
• Maximum 300 points from family status
• Maximum 300 points from education and accreditation
• Maximum 300 points from volunteering/community activities

The total maximum points someone can have is 1800.

Point Categories and Allocations

Note, the below allocations are an initial description of what this could look like. Not a finalised proposal. Consider this a starting point for how such a system could be structured.

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Level 1 (100 Points Each)

Points Awarded For:

• Each year of submitting tax returns
• Each year residing and working legally in Canada (with no more than 4 weeks interruption)
• Having a spouse whose point level is above 600 
• Each child based in Canada and enrolled in the school system
• Each year volunteering for more than 40 hours with a registered charity or civic organization chosen from a list of key government-trusted institutions
• Paying at least $3,000 in income taxes in the previous year
• Completing a language or civics course

Points Deducted For:

• Each year not submitting a tax return
• Not residing in Canada for 2 months or more in the last year

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Level 2 (200 Points Each)

Points Awarded For:

• Completing an official Red Seal accreditation in skilled trades
• Receiving a degree from an accredited Canadian university
• Paying at least $10,000 in taxes in the previous year

Points Deducted For:

• Each year receiving government social assistance for 6 months or more
• Being convicted of a minor crime in Canada

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Level 3 (300 Points Each)

Points Awarded For:

• Paying at least $3,000 in taxes for 4 or more years
• Having a spouse whose point level is above 1,200 or who is a citizen
• Working legally in Canada for 3 or more years with minimal interruption
• Paying at least $25,000 in taxes in the previous year
• Starting a Canadian-Controlled Private Corporation with at least one employee that has paid $10,000+ in corporate tax (additional 50 points per Canadian citizen employed, up to 4 employees)

Points Deducted For:

• Asylum claimants who return to their country of origin within 5 years of arriving in Canada

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Level 4 (400 Points Each)

Points Awarded For:

• Paying at least $50,000 in taxes in the previous year
• Starting a Canadian-Controlled Private Corporation with at least five employees that has paid $50,000+ in corporate tax (additional 50 points per Canadian citizen employed, up to 4 employees)

Points Deducted For:

• Being convicted of a major crime in Canada

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Case Examples

Mr. Liu’s Success Story

Mr. Liu and his wife arrive on a two‑year temporary visa in the hopes of starting a business together. Through active participation and smart moves, they steadily “fill up” each scoring category so that by the end of Year 4, Mr. Liu’s recorded contributions hit the maximum cumulative score.

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Year 1 (Temporary Visa)

• Taxes & Work (cap 900 points):
  
  • Filed his tax return on time: +100
  • Maintained continuous, legal full‑time employment (with minimal interruption): +100
  • His income tax paid exceeded $10,000, triggering the higher-tier reward: +200
  • With his wife he launches a small café as a Canadian‑Controlled Private Corporation; for initiating the business (with at least one employee meeting the tax threshold): +300
  • Bonus for job creation (the café hires 2 Canadian citizens at 50 points each): +100
  • Subtotal in Taxes/Work: 800 points
• Family:
  • His spouse has a point level above 600: +100
• Education:
  • Completed a civics or language course shortly after arrival: +100
• Volunteering/Community:
  • No contribution yet‍
• Year‑1 Total: 800 + 100 + 100 = 1,000 points

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Year 2 (Continuing Temporary Status)

• Taxes & Work:
  
  • Files tax return again: because his taxes/work bucket is already at 800, he earns an extra +100 and reaches the cap of 900.‍
• Education:
  • Participates in another approved course: +100 (raising education to 200)
• ‍Volunteering/Community:
  • Begins volunteering (serving a recognized charity 40+ hours in the year): +100
• Year‑2 Incremental Total: 100 (taxes/work to cap) + 100 (education) + 100 (volunteering) = 300 points
• Cumulative Total after 2 Years:
  • Taxes/Work: 900 (maxed)
  • Family: 100‍
  • Education: 200‍
  • Volunteering: 100
  • Total = 900 + 100 + 200 + 100 = 1,300 points‍
• Outcome: With 1,400 points (well above the 900‑point threshold), Mr. Liu is eligible for Permanent Residency.

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Year 3 (Permanent Residency)

• Volunteering/Community:
  
  • Keeps up his volunteer work for another full year: +100 (raising volunteering to 200/300)‍
• Year‑3 Incremental Total: + 100 (volunteering) = 200 points
• Cumulative Total after 3 Years: 900 + 200 + 100 + 200 = 1,400 points

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Year 4 (Permanent Residency, Approaching Citizenship)

• Family:
  
  • His spouse now has a point level above 1200: +200
• Volunteering/Community:
  • Increases his community commitment by volunteering even more, earning another +100 (this brings the volunteering bucket to its cap of 300)‍
• Year‑4 Incremental Total: +300 points
• Final Cumulative Total: 900 + 200 + 300 + 300 = 1,700 points
  
  

Outcome: Mr. Liu has reached 1,700 points. With his record well above the 1,200‑point citizenship threshold—and qualified for expedited processing given his exceptional contribution—he is on a clearly successful path to becoming a Canadian citizen.

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Ms. Clarke’s Story of Struggle

Ms. Clarke, arriving from the UK as a skilled worker, faces a rocky integration. Despite early promise, gaps in compliance and missteps lead to substantial point deductions that keep her far below the required thresholds.

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Year 1 (Temporary Visa)

• Taxes & Work:
  
  • Filed her tax return: +100
  • Maintained a full work year: +100
  • Paid at least $3,000 in income taxes (but did not meet the $10,000 level required for higher rewards): +100
  • Subtotal (Taxes/Work): 300 points
• Year‑1 Total: 300 points

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Year 2 (Challenges Emerge)

• Work & Residence Issues:
  
  • Takes 3 months off without pay for travel—failing to meet the “continuous work/residence” requirement: –100 points
  • Fails to submit her tax return: –100 points
• Legal/Behavioural Penalty (Level 2):
  • Convicted of a minor crime (public intoxication): –200 points
• Year‑2 Total: –400 points
  • Cumulative Total after 2 Years: 300 (Year 1) – 400 (Year 2) = –100 points‍
• Outcome: With a negative cumulative score, she is far below the 900‑point threshold needed for Permanent Residency.

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Year 3 

• Taxes & Work:
  • Resumes full‑time work and files her tax return: +100 (tax return) and +100 (full work year)‍
  • This time her income tax paid surpasses the $10,000 mark, so she earns the Level 2 bonus: +200‍
  • Subtotal (Taxes/Work): +400 points for the year‍
• Education:
  • Enrolls in and completes a civics course: +100 points
• Year‑3 Total: +500 points
• Cumulative Total after 3 Years: (–100 + 500) = +400 points
  
  

Year 4

• Negative Impact:
  
  • Receives government disability benefits for 6 months (treated similarly to prolonged social assistance): –200 points
• Positive Contributions:
  • Files her tax return: +100 points‍
  • Pays $3000 in taxes: +100 points
  • Year‑4 Total: 100 + 100 – 200 = +0 points
• Final Cumulative Total after 4 Years: 400 + 0 = +400 points

Outcome: Ms. Clarke’s cumulative score of 400 points remains well below the 900‑point threshold. Consequently, she does not qualify for Permanent Residency and will not advance toward citizenship.

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Common Questions

Won't this system unfairly punish immigrants who struggle economically or have employment gaps? This proposal carefully balances our point system to avoid penalizing those facing genuine challenges. The system provides multiple paths to earn points beyond just income, including community involvement, education, and family integration. Furthermore, temporary visa holders will have access to settlement services and language training to help them succeed. The point thresholds are designed to be achievable through consistent, good-faith effort even for those in lower-wage positions.

How would this impact family reunification or refugee programs? Our core immigration values remain unchanged. Family reunification and humanitarian protection will continue as fundamental principles, but this system adds accountability and incentives for integration across all immigration streams. Family members will have the same opportunity to earn points through various contributions, and refugees will receive additional support services to help them succeed in the system.

Won't this create an excessive administrative burden for tracking all these metrics? Most point metrics rely on existing government data systems like tax filings, educational credentials, and criminal records. The system will be largely automated, drawing from these existing databases. Immigrants will access a simple online dashboard to track their progress and receive guidance on how to increase their points. The administrative cost will be far less than the current cost of immigrants who leave or fail to integrate.

Will this system risk turning public opinion against immigrants who don't achieve high point scores? On the contrary, by creating clear expectations and rewarding positive contributions, this system will strengthen public confidence in immigration. Canadians will see that immigrants are being held to transparent standards and recognized for their meaningful contributions. This approach directly addresses the growing concerns about immigration by ensuring that those who become permanent residents and citizens have demonstrated real commitment to Canada.

How would this affect international students? International students will benefit from this system as their educational achievements in Canada will earn them significant points. Their time studying will count toward their residency requirements, and many will have already integrated into Canadian society during their studies. This creates a smoother pathway for those who wish to transition from student to permanent resident.

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Conclusion

Canada must evolve from a passive immigration system that selects newcomers based solely on initial criteria to one that actively promotes and recognizes ongoing commitment to our country. By implementing a points-based integration system, we can reverse declining citizenship rates, reduce outmigration, and rebuild public confidence in immigration.

The proposed system provides clear, transparent pathways to permanent residency and citizenship while rewarding meaningful contributions across economic, social, and civic dimensions. It sets explicit expectations for newcomers while giving them multiple ways to demonstrate their commitment to Canada and ensuring Canada's immigration system is better able to fill labour gaps at all levels, not just high-education and high-paying, but also mid- and entry- jobs, encouraging immigrants to settle where economic opportunities exist.

This approach transforms our immigration system from a "leaky bucket" that wastes human potential and public resources into a sustainable pipeline of engaged citizens who are fully invested in Canada's future. By rewarding not just who immigrants are when they arrive but what they do after they get here, we will build a stronger, more cohesive society and preserve Canada's proud tradition as a welcoming nation for generations to come.

We must act decisively to implement this system now, before eroding public support undermines our ability to continue welcoming newcomers. Our recommended approach balances ambition with practicality, allowing for rapid implementation while maintaining our core values of compassion and inclusion. The time for bold action is now.

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