Premiers push for more power over immigration as Ford takes aim at federal minister

Premiers say they are taking more control over immigration as Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized the federal Immigration Minister and said he would be issuing his own work permits in the province.

At the conclusion of the three-day premiers’ meeting on Wednesday, the provincial and territorial leaders called for an increase to economic immigration levels to meet their labour needs and said they would use powers under the Constitution to issue work permits, criticizing the federal government for moving too slowly.