Ontario to Issue 100K Work Permits for Assylum Seekers Starting August 1

In a bold move that’s sending ripples through Canada’s immigration landscape, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced that his provincial government will begin issuing work permits to asylum seekers—without waiting for federal approval. This decision, rooted in Section 95 of the Constitution Act, 1867, empowers provinces to manage immigration “insofar as it relates to local or municipal matters.” While Alberta Premier Danielle Smith first highlighted this clause at the recent First Ministers’ Summit, Ford is now acting on it to address what he calls a humanitarian and economic imperative.

“I have a tremendous number of asylum seekers in Etobicoke hotels,” Ford said. “They’re healthy, they’re willing to work, they’re hardworking people, but they’ve been waiting over two years. They’re just… stuck in limbo.” (source)

As per information available at Questjobs, assylum seekers are generally not allowed to apply for PR under majority of PNP's even if a company is willing to sponsor them. There are currently more than 18,000 PR eligible jobs at QuestJobs, and even if an assylum seeker is eligible for any job, the person's status will not allow him to directly apply for PR. Hence, work permit issuanceis a major phase on the plight of assylum seekers to be legal and permanent residents of Canada. 

What’s Next?

• Implementation Timeline

  • Ontario begins issuing permits August 1, 2025.

  • Initial cohort: 5,000 asylum seekers over the first quarter.

• Possible Legal Review

  • Federal government may challenge Ontario’s move in the Supreme Court of Canada.

  • Provinces like Alberta and British Columbia will watch closely before adopting similar measures.

• Monitoring & Evaluation

  • Ontario’s Ministry of Labour will publish quarterly reports on permit uptake, employment rates, and compliance metrics.

  • IRCC may adjust federal processes in response, potentially expanding asylum work‑permit options nationally.

Major Concerns and Controversy

1. Federal–Provincial Tensions

   • Jurisdictional Clash Immigration is primarily a federal responsibility. Critics argue provincial permits could create a patchwork of rules.

   • Legal Challenges The federal government could seek a court injunction, citing overreach beyond “local matters.”

2. Risk of System Abuse

   • Fear that unscrupulous employers might exploit lower‑skilled asylum workers for cheap labor.

   • Calls for strict enforcement of Employment Standards Act, minimum wage, and workplace safety regulations.

3. Public Backlash

   • Some Ontarians worry about increased strain on social services and housing markets.

   • Political opponents label the move “populist” and “unsustainable.”

Potential Benefits

• Economic Boost

  • An influx of work‑permit–holding asylum seekers could add $1.2 billion in GDP by filling high-demand roles.

  • Reduced welfare expenditures as recipients transition to paid employment.

• Social Integration

  • Work fosters community ties, language acquisition, and cultural adaptation.

  • Employers gain committed, diverse talent pools.

• Alleviating Federal Burden

  • Ontario’s unilateral permits may ease IRCC’s backlog indirectly by enabling self‑sufficiency among asylum seekers.

The Mechanics of Provincial Work Permits

1. Issuance Process

   • Eligibility. Asylum claimants registered with IRCC who have been waiting longer than 12 months.

   • Application. Submit provincial permit application online via Ontario’s Immigration Portal.

   • Duration. Permits valid for two years, renewable in alignment with asylum-processing timelines.

2. Employer Role

   • Employers must register job offers using Ontario’s Employer Portal.

   • No Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) required, accelerating hiring.

   • Wage and working-condition standards remain governed by provincial employment laws.

3. Integration Supports

   • Language Training: Free English and French classes through local LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) centers.

   • Settlement Services: Funded by Ontario’s $1 billion settlement strategy (2024–27), covering housing, health navigation, and job-matching.

Ontario received the most PR allocations in Canada. With Ontario being very active on its PR nominations, the province issued 3750 PR invitations as of June 2025 in their 3 major PNP streams. The province also focuses on on healthcare, tech and skilled jobs 

With the issuance of work permits to assylum seekers, immigrants can expect that this will be additional competition on PR seats in Ontario hence platforms such as QuestJobs must be explored to its fullest. This platform has been specifically designed and built for immigrants looking for PR pathways.