The Canadian government has unveiled new measures to address population growth by reducing the number of permanent residents entering the country.
On Thursday, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Marc Miller, announced that Canada would lower its annual intake of permanent residents over the next three years, moving away from the previous target of 500,000 per year.
Starting in 2025, Canada will welcome 395,000 permanent residents, followed by 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027.
Miller explained that the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan aims to temporarily slow population growth in order to manage it more sustainably in the long term.
The plan also includes controlled targets for temporary residents, including international students and foreign workers, alongside permanent residents.
“Today’s announcement is a key step in addressing the evolving immigration needs of our country. While newcomers are essential to our economy, we recognize the pressures facing our country and are adjusting our policies accordingly. These changes will ensure immigration benefits the country by providing access to quality jobs, homes, and necessary support for everyone to thrive,” Miller stated.
The minister also highlighted the government’s goal of reducing the volume of temporary residents to 5% of Canada’s population by the end of 2026. Compared to previous years, Canada’s temporary population will decline by 445,901 in 2025 and 445,662 in 2026, with a slight increase of 17,439 in 2027.
Canada’s population reached 41 million in April 2024, with immigration contributing nearly 98% of the growth in 2023. Of that, 60% was attributed to temporary residents.
