Ottawa, January 17, 2026, Canada’s immigration system is facing mounting pressure as Conservatives raise alarm over what they describe as three major crises threatening the country’s social, economic, and legal stability. On January 16, 2026, Conservative Shadow Minister for Immigration Michelle Rempel Garner held a press conference on Parliament Hill outlining urgent concerns related to temporary residents with expired status, an unprecedented asylum backlog, and what she called a growing two-tier justice system for non-citizens.
The press conference has reignited national debate around Canada immigration policy, border enforcement, refugee processing, and public trust in the immigration system. As Canada prepares for the next parliamentary session, these issues are expected to dominate political and public discourse.
This blog breaks down the three immigration crises raised by Conservatives, their policy demands, and the broader implications for Canada in 2026.
One of the most pressing issues highlighted by Rempel Garner is the growing number of temporary residents in Canada whose permits have either expired or are set to expire in 2026.
According to Conservative estimates, millions of individuals currently hold temporary work permits, study permits, or visitor visas that are no longer valid or approaching expiration. The shadow minister criticized the Liberal government for continuing to issue hundreds of thousands of new temporary resident permits without a clear and enforceable removal or compliance strategy.
She emphasized that the government lacks a credible plan to ensure that temporary residents leave Canada when their status expires.
Rempel Garner stated that approximately 500,000 undocumented individuals are currently residing in Canada. She described the situation as both uncompassionate and disturbing, arguing that it harms temporary residents who remain in legal limbo while also placing pressure on Canadian citizens.
The impacts, according to Conservatives, include worsening housing shortages, increased strain on the healthcare system, and rising youth unemployment. Temporary residents without status often struggle to access lawful employment or services, creating vulnerabilities while contributing to informal labor markets.
The Conservative position is clear: temporary must mean temporary.
Rempel Garner also criticized the government for failing to implement a national exit tracking system before significantly expanding temporary immigration programs. Without accurate data on who leaves Canada and when, enforcement becomes nearly impossible.
She called on the government to table a comprehensive enforcement plan by the end of January 2026 outlining how existing immigration laws will be upheld, including removals for those who overstay visas.
The Conservatives argue that meaningful asylum reform and enforcement would reduce incentives for overstays and restore confidence in the system.
Canada’s asylum system is under extreme pressure, with pending claims reaching approximately 300,000 cases as of December 2025. This marks a dramatic increase from fewer than 10,000 pending claims in 2015.
The backlog now exceeds the population of Windsor, Ontario, and continues to grow.
Most asylum claimants are allowed to remain in Canada for years before their cases are heard. During this time, many receive social benefits, adding further strain to provincial and federal resources.
A key concern raised during the press conference was the upcoming termination of Temporary Protected Status for approximately 350,000 Haitian nationals in the United States on February 3, 2026.
Rempel Garner warned that Canada could experience a surge in illegal border crossings and asylum claims, similar to what occurred after previous TPS revocations.
Between 2017 and 2024, nearly 40,000 Haitian nationals crossed into Canada and filed asylum claims. In 2025 alone, close to 12,000 such claims were recorded.
With the February deadline approaching, Conservatives fear the numbers could rise significantly.
The Conservative Party identified major loopholes in the Safe Third Country Agreement between Canada and the United States. Under current rules, individuals who cross the border illegally may still claim asylum if they have family members in Canada.
The definition of family is broad and includes spouses, children of any age, parents, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Even family members with pending asylum claims can qualify.
Rempel Garner argued that this enables chains of potentially weak or fraudulent asylum claims, compounded by long processing times and infrequent removals.
Conservatives are calling for urgent cooperation with the United States to narrow the family definition to align with Canada’s family class immigration standards. These standards typically include spouses, common-law or conjugal partners, dependent children under 22, and in some cases parents and grandparents.
Additional proposals include stricter enforcement of anti-human trafficking provisions and consideration of section 20.1 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. This section allows for the designation of irregular group arrivals when illegal crossings surge.
Rempel Garner also urged the government to prioritize refugees already in Canada from regions such as Ukraine, Hong Kong, and Sudan. She proposed pausing new government-assisted refugee intake and reallocating those spaces to eligible individuals already present in the country.
The third crisis raised by Conservatives centers on criminal sentencing and immigration consequences.
Rempel Garner cited recent court cases where non-citizens convicted of serious crimes received sentences deliberately structured to avoid triggering deportation. Under Canadian immigration law, certain criminal convictions can lead to removal if the sentence meets specific thresholds.
Among the cases referenced were:
According to Rempel Garner, these decisions undermine public confidence and create unequal treatment under the law.
The Conservatives are pushing for rapid passage of Bill C-20, a private member’s bill introduced by Rempel Garner. The bill aims to prevent courts from tailoring criminal sentences specifically to shield non-citizens from deportation.
She described the current situation as a two-tier justice system where Canadian citizens and non-citizens face different consequences for similar crimes.
During the press conference, Rempel Garner also addressed broader political and foreign policy issues.
She responded to questions about the Federal Court of Appeal ruling that the Liberal government lacked reasonable grounds to invoke the Emergencies Act during the 2022 convoy protests. She argued that the ruling reinforces concerns about civil liberties and government overreach.
On China relations, she expressed concern over recent business dealings involving former officials and questioned the lack of tangible job benefits for Canadians. She reiterated Conservative support for a foreign agent registry and action against alleged regime-linked police stations operating in Canadian cities.
Separately, China announced plans to offer visa-free access for Canadian travellers as part of efforts to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties. While the move could ease travel and boost tourism, Conservative MPs have raised concerns about timing, national security, and foreign influence.
Canada also continues to navigate complex trade discussions, particularly around electric vehicle tariffs and global competitiveness. These issues remain unresolved as the government balances economic growth with environmental commitments.
The Conservative Party has stated it will continue pressing the Liberal government on immigration reform when the House of Commons resumes. Immigration policy is expected to remain a central political issue in 2026, especially as housing affordability, healthcare capacity, and border management remain top concerns for Canadians.
With temporary resident numbers rising, asylum backlogs growing, and public trust under pressure, the direction Canada takes on immigration reform in the coming months could shape the country’s social and economic landscape for years to come.
