Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced this Thursday that Canada will reduce its annual intake of permanent residents immediately by 21 per cent, to 395,000 next year, 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027.
The share of skilled and economic permanent residents will be at 59 per cent, followed by those under family reunification (24 per cent), and humanitarian and refugee stream (17 per cent).
Canada’s temporary population including international students, foreign workers and refugees will also be reduced by 445,901 in 2025, 445,662 in 2026 but increased modestly by 17,439 in 2027.
The announcement contrasts with the one made last year by the federal government to further increase permanent resident intake to 500,000 in 2025. It’s also a shift in policy by a government that has steadily increased immigration levels since it took power in 2015.
The government said the plan “will pause population growth in the short term to achieve well-managed, sustainable growth in the long term”.
The announcement came just days after a long-term tracking poll by Environics Institute found 58 per cent Canadians said there’s “too much immigration,” the first time in a quarter-century that a clear majority of respondents share that view.
“Canada has betrayed the world’s refugees”
In a public statement, the Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) said: “In a shameful abdication of responsibility, the Canadian government has massively reduced its commitment to offer protection to those fleeing persecution and danger in the world, and all but ensured that refugees in Canada will remain separated from their spouses and children for years to come. The CCR condemns today’s announcement and calls on the government to reverse this dangerous course,” the announcement says.
“Behind the numbers slashed from the humanitarian component of the levels today are over 14,000 real people fleeing persecution and seeking safety in Canada or struggling in conflict zones around the world facing violence, starvation, and death. It particularly fails those already here whom we have committed to protect and their family members abroad,” said Diana Gallego, President of the CCR and FCJ Refugee Centre’s Co-Executive Director. “Canada has betrayed the world’s refugees,” she said.
“It is not an exaggeration to say that the action taken today will rob children of their futures and destroy families. People will lose their lives,” she added.
In another open letter issued also on Thursday, a coalition of more than 100 community groups expressed their disappointment with the reduction in both temporary and permanent immigration.
“This government was elected on pro-immigration platform and promised permanent resident status for migrant workers, students and undocumented people at the start of the current mandate,” the letter said. “Not delivering on them will be remembered at the ballot box.”
The group urged to ensure permanent resident status for all migrants, protect migrants already in Canada from the impacts of recent announcements; implement a comprehensive regularization program and refuse cuts to permanent residency.
Read more:
Canada betrays refugees – CCR Statement on 2025 Levels Announcement (Canadian Council for Refugees)
Federal government announces reductions in permanent resident targets (CBC News, video)
Canada announces major changes to immigration targets. Here’s what you need to know (Toronto Star)
Ottawa announces major reduction in immigration targets (The Globe and Mail)
Trudeau government to slash immigration levels (National Post)
It is unclear how many undocumented immigrants live in Canada. Estimates range from 20,000 up to 500,000. Many of these are youth who were brought to Canada as young children and had no choice in the matter. Youth with precarious status or no status struggle to access public services like health care and education. Who are these undocumented youth, and does our country do enough to protect them?