In a significant change to its immigration policy, Canada is set to reduce the number of immigrants it will admit in the coming years. A government source told Reuters, the new targets will see a decrease from 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024 to 395,000 in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027. This decision marks the first time in years that the Canadian government has lowered its immigration targets.
The number of temporary residents will also decrease, with 2025 projections targeting 300,000, down by 30,000 from previous levels. The shift in policy was initially reported by The National Post.
Canada has traditionally been known for its openness to newcomers. However, the landscape has changed in recent years amid a national debate fueled by rising housing costs. As interest rates increased over the past two years, home affordability has become a pressing concern for many Canadians. A surge in the immigrant population has contributed to record levels, intensifying demand for housing and pushing prices further up.
The topic of immigration has emerged as a central issue in Canadian politics, especially with a federal election due by October 2025. Public opinion appears to be shifting, with a rising number of Canadians expressing concerns about the current levels of immigration. The country has also seen a rise in hate crimes against visible minorities, as reported by community advocates.
Migrant advocates have criticized the government's decision. Syed Hussan, spokesperson for the Migrant Rights Network Secretariat, told Reuters, "We are witnessing one of the most egregious rollbacks of migrant rights in Canadian history. Cutting permanent resident numbers is a direct assault on migrants who will be forced to remain temporary or become undocumented, pushed further into exploitative jobs."
The new immigration strategy marks a departure from policies during the COVID-19 pandemic when Canada eased rules on temporary residents to address labor shortages. In 2023, the government had set an ambitious goal of 500,000 new permanent residents annually by 2025 and 2026.
As of the second quarter of 2024, there were 2.8 million temporary residents, including students and workers, according to Statistics Canada. In an August interview, Immigration Minister Marc Miller emphasized that "Canadians want a system that is not out of control." This move comes as the Liberal government, led by Trudeau, faces mounting pressure with declining poll numbers and challenges within the party.
In addition to reducing the total number of immigrants, the government is taking steps to limit the influx of temporary residents. It aims to lower their share of the population to 5% over the next three years, down from 6.8% in April. New restrictions on international students have been introduced, alongside stricter regulations for the temporary foreign worker program, which has faced criticism for low wages and exploitative conditions.
The number of temporary residents will also decrease, with 2025 projections targeting 300,000, down by 30,000 from previous levels. The shift in policy was initially reported by The National Post.
Canada has traditionally been known for its openness to newcomers. However, the landscape has changed in recent years amid a national debate fueled by rising housing costs. As interest rates increased over the past two years, home affordability has become a pressing concern for many Canadians. A surge in the immigrant population has contributed to record levels, intensifying demand for housing and pushing prices further up.
The topic of immigration has emerged as a central issue in Canadian politics, especially with a federal election due by October 2025. Public opinion appears to be shifting, with a rising number of Canadians expressing concerns about the current levels of immigration. The country has also seen a rise in hate crimes against visible minorities, as reported by community advocates.
Migrant advocates have criticized the government's decision. Syed Hussan, spokesperson for the Migrant Rights Network Secretariat, told Reuters, "We are witnessing one of the most egregious rollbacks of migrant rights in Canadian history. Cutting permanent resident numbers is a direct assault on migrants who will be forced to remain temporary or become undocumented, pushed further into exploitative jobs."
The new immigration strategy marks a departure from policies during the COVID-19 pandemic when Canada eased rules on temporary residents to address labor shortages. In 2023, the government had set an ambitious goal of 500,000 new permanent residents annually by 2025 and 2026.
As of the second quarter of 2024, there were 2.8 million temporary residents, including students and workers, according to Statistics Canada. In an August interview, Immigration Minister Marc Miller emphasized that "Canadians want a system that is not out of control." This move comes as the Liberal government, led by Trudeau, faces mounting pressure with declining poll numbers and challenges within the party.
In addition to reducing the total number of immigrants, the government is taking steps to limit the influx of temporary residents. It aims to lower their share of the population to 5% over the next three years, down from 6.8% in April. New restrictions on international students have been introduced, alongside stricter regulations for the temporary foreign worker program, which has faced criticism for low wages and exploitative conditions.
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