The Canadian government has announced new measures to manage population growth by reducing the number of permanent residents allowed into the country.
On Thursday, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Marc Miller stated that instead of the previous target of 500,000 permanent residents annually, the intake will be lowered for the next three years. This change will take effect in 2025. The revised plan will welcome 395,000 permanent residents in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027.
Miller explained that the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan aims to pause short-term population growth in order to achieve sustainable growth in the long term. “The levels plan includes controlled targets for temporary residents, specifically international students and foreign workers, as well as for permanent residents,” he said.
“Today’s announcement is the next step in our plan to address the evolving immigration needs of our country. While it’s clear our economy requires newcomers, we recognize the pressures facing our nation, and we must adapt our policies accordingly. These changes will help immigration work for our country, ensuring everyone has access to quality jobs, housing, and support to thrive. We have listened to Canadians, and we will continue to protect the integrity of our immigration system while growing our population responsibly,” he added.
Additionally, the Levels Plan aims to reduce temporary resident volumes to 5% of Canada’s population by the end of 2026. Specifically, compared to each previous year, Canada’s temporary population is expected to decline by 445,901 in 2025, 445,662 in 2026, and see a modest increase of 17,439 in 2027.
Canada’s population has experienced significant growth in recent years, reaching 41 million in April 2024, with immigration accounting for nearly 98% of this growth in 2023. Of that, 60% can be attributed to temporary residents.
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