Doug Ford Reverses Course on Work Permits for Asylum Seekers in Ontario
- Mati Lio
- Jul 28
- 2 min read
Ontario Reverses Plan to Issue Work Permits to Asylum Seekers
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has backed away from his controversial pledge allowing the province to independently issue work permits to asylum seekers—an announcement he made just days earlier—sparking political debate and clear public messaging from the federal government.
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🛑 What Happened
During a national premiers’ meeting in Huntsville, Ontario, Premier Doug Ford announced that the province would begin issuing its own work permits to asylum seekers, bypassing federal immigration protocols. Ford cited slow federal processing and the financial burden of supporting work-restricted claimants as key motives.
However, within days, Ford walked back the pledge. In a statement made on July 28, he acknowledged his figures were based on anecdotal sources and said Ontario would not assume federal responsibilities for immigration-related work permits .
🧭 Federal Response: Processing Times and Jurisdiction
Contrary to Ford’s initial claim that asylum seekers wait over two years for a work permit, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reported that the national average processing time is approximately 45 days, with Ontario’s average around 48 days—much shorter than the timeline Ford stated.
The federal government reaffirmed that work permit issuance remains its jurisdiction, citing the Constitution and longstanding immigration policy frameworks.
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📣 Why It Matters
This U-turn underscores longstanding tensions between federal and provincial governments over immigration authority. Ford had previously invoked Section 95 of the Constitution, which gives provinces concurrent power over immigration—but ultimately, federal law retains supremacy in cases of conflict .
Ontario opposition leaders criticized Ford’s flip-flop as politically motivated and confusing, particularly amid Ontario’s ongoing housing and economic challenges .
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🔍 Bottom Line
Ford initially pledged to take immigration-related action at the provincial level—but reversed course days later.
IRCC confirmed the federal government processes asylum seeker work permits in under two months, rather than two years.
The incident highlights jurisdictional limits and emphasizes the continued importance of federal oversight in immigration matters.
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💬 Key Takeaways
Ontario will not issue its own work permits to asylum seekers.
Work permits remain under federal jurisdiction, not provincial.
Asylum applicants usually receive permits within 45 days—not two years.
Any constitutional claims must align with existing federal authority and oversight.
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