Earned PR for in-Canada contributors who already sustain Canada
A checklist-based pathway designed for people working, paying taxes, and staying compliant in Canada, with transparent criteria, verifiable evidence, and published safeguards.
The Problem
Express Entry gaps
EstablishedIn 2024, the median CRS cut-off in general rounds was 535. [1]
Express Entry is anchored in a competitive points pool where cut-offs move with the composition of the pool and the number of invitations issued. In practice, many in-Canada contributors remain below the shifting threshold even after sustained Canadian work experience. [1]
In-Canada contributors
EstablishedOn October 1, 2025, Statistics Canada estimated 2,847,737 non-permanent residents in Canada (6.8% of the total population). [2]
This population includes workers, students, and other temporary residents who live in Canada and interact with Canadian institutions on an ongoing basis. Many contribute economically and socially while remaining structurally exposed to status expiry and policy volatility. [2]
Economic impact
ProbableThe Parliamentary Budget Officer estimates new immigration targets would reduce nominal GDP, a broad measure of the government's tax base, by $37 billion on average between 2025 and 2027. [3]
When trained and integrated workers cannot transition to permanence, Canada absorbs turnover and replacement costs and risks losing accumulated firm-specific and community-specific capital. [3]
Our Solution
Together | side by side proposes the Earned PR Pathway, a checklist-based route to permanent residence for in-Canada contributors who meet published, measurable criteria. The model is binary rather than competitive: applicants qualify by meeting the checklist, not by outscoring others in a points race.
- Continuous Canadian employment threshold (e.g., 12 months full-time)
- Tax compliance (filing history and no outstanding enforceable debt)
- Language proficiency threshold (standardized test results within validity window)
- Legal compliance (criminality screening and no misrepresentation)
- Time in Canada (minimum physical presence baseline)
- Community ties (documented integration indicators, where relevant)
Evidence Highlights
EstablishedStatistics Canada estimated 2,847,737 non-permanent residents in Canada on October 1, 2025, down from a peak of 3,149,131 on October 1, 2024. [2]
EstablishedIRCC reports that 2024 general-round CRS cut-offs ranged from 524 to 549 (median 535). [1]
EstablishedIRCC states that it processes most Express Entry applications within 6 months or less after receiving a complete application. [4]
PreliminaryRBC estimated that closing immigrant wage and employment gaps could increase annual GDP by about $50 billion (approximately 2.5%), illustrating the economic cost of skills underutilization. [5]
Join the Coalition
Together | side by side maintains a coalition directory for organizations and practitioners who support an evidence-based, checklist-based earned pathway. Employers, unions, settlement agencies, and community organizations can participate by submitting a short, attributable statement and basic verification details.
Built on Trust
Evidence-backed
Every claim is cited and verifiable.
Bilingual
Fully available in English and French.
Open methodology
Sources, methods, and revision history are public.