The Canadian government is set to announce a significant reduction in immigration numbers Thursday, marking a dramatic shift from years of steady increases under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s leadership.
The new plan, according to a scoop from The National Post, will decrease permanent resident intake from 485,000 in 2024 to 365,000 by 2027, representing a reduction of 120,000 immigrants over three years.
This policy reversal starkly contrasts the government’s previous target of 500,000 permanent residents by 2025. According to the new framework, permanent resident numbers will drop to 395,000 in 2025, followed by further reductions to 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027.
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The changes will impact multiple immigration streams, with the federal economic class facing the most substantial cuts — approximately 60% reduction to 41,000 next year. Provincial nominee programs will be halved to 55,000, while both family reunification and combined refugees and protected persons permanent resident levels will each decrease by about 20,000 spots.
For the first time, the government will also set limits on temporary resident intake, planning to reduce applications by nearly 30,000 to just over 300,000 in 2025. Immigration Minister Marc Miller had previously indicated his intention to reduce temporary residents’ share of the population from 6.5% to 5.2% over three years.
The policy shift can be seen as the Liberals finally relenting to growing public concern about immigration levels. A recent Leger survey found that 65% of Canadians believe there are “too many” immigrants in the country. In a September speech, Miller acknowledged that current immigration levels posed “challenges,” including increased youth and newcomer unemployment.
Related: Marc Miller Announces Plan to Reduce Temporary Residents… By Making Them Permanent
The announcement follows a tense Liberal caucus meeting where MPs expressed frustration over the party’s declining popularity. While the reduced immigration targets may help ease pressure on housing and healthcare services, they could potentially create challenges for employers seeking to fill job vacancies.
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