Migrant Rights Network presses Ottawa as TR‑to‑PR delay fuels uncertainty

By: Shazia Nazir, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Milton Reporter, Milton Reporter

 

The Migrant Rights Network, Canada’s largest migrant‑led coalition, is urging the federal government to release details of the long‑promised Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident (TR‑to‑PR) pathway, saying workers across the country are being left in limbo as April — the month the program was expected to launch — comes to an end without an announcement.

 

Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab had previously indicated the pathway would open in April, but no criteria, timelines or application process have been released through official channels. The coalition says the delay is creating growing anxiety among temporary workers, international students and families who have been waiting months for clarity.

 

In a letter sent to the minister Thursday morning, the Migrant Rights Network outlined a series of minimum requirements it says are necessary to avoid the problems seen in earlier immigration pilots and to ensure the new pathway provides a meaningful route to permanent residency.

 

Ottawa has committed to transitioning up to 33,000 temporary workers to permanent residency in 2026 and 2027. But advocates warn that if the program is narrow or overly restrictive, it could trigger confusion and exploitation among workers who have already faced years of instability.

 

Past programs have shown how quickly demand can overwhelm limited spaces. When the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots opened in 2025, more than 40,000 workers attempted to apply for 5,500 spots, crashing the application portal and leaving thousands without answers. Many remain in limbo today.

 

Meanwhile, more than 2.3 million people on study and work permits have faced expiries in 2025 and 2026. Many have remained in Canada on maintained status, hoping the TR‑to‑PR pathway would offer stability. The closure of the Agri‑Food Immigration Pilot, one of the few permanent residency routes for agricultural workers, has further intensified pressure on the upcoming program.

 

“Thousands are shut out and the most vulnerable are exploited when the government launches narrow, time‑limited programs with limited information,” said Syed Hussan of the Migrant Rights Network Secretariat. “A pathway for 33,000 people cannot solve a crisis affecting millions. Canada needs permanent resident status for all migrants.”

 

Across the Halton Region, temporary workers say the lack of information is affecting their ability to make basic decisions about work, housing and family.

 

In Milton, where many temporary residents work in warehousing and logistics, rumours have become a substitute for official updates. 

 

“Every week there’s a new rumour,” said Kwame Mensah, who works at a distribution centre. 

 

“We’re trying to build a future here, but without real information, it’s impossible to plan anything.”

 

In Oakville, temporary workers in the service sector say they feel stuck between renewing permits and waiting for the new program. 

 

“I’ve already renewed my permit twice because I keep hoping this pathway will open,” said Nurul Amina, who works at a local restaurant. 

 

“People are scared to make the wrong decision. We just want clear rules so we can move forward.”

 

In Burlington, where many temporary residents work in manufacturing and caregiving roles, frustration is also rising. 

 

“I’ve been working full‑time and contributing like everyone else, but I still don’t know if I’ll qualify,” said Luis Ortega, who works at a manufacturing plant. 

 

“Everything depends on a program that hasn’t even been announced.”

 

The Migrant Rights Network is calling for a TR‑to‑PR pathway that includes seasonal agricultural, food‑processing and seafood workers; undocumented people and those who have lost status; workers in all regions including major urban centres; workers in all TEER categories including low‑wage roles; and people currently excluded by language tests, education requirements, employer‑controlled permits or permit type.

 

Advocates say the program must be broad enough to prevent the confusion and exploitation seen in previous pilots.

 

With April ending and no launch in sight, migrant‑rights groups say they will continue pressing Ottawa for transparency and a pathway that reflects the scale of the need.