• Source:JND
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In a significant shift in its immigration policy, Canada has announced plans to reduce the number of immigrants it admits over the next few years. According to a government source speaking to Reuters, the new targets will see a decrease in the number of new permanent residents from 485,000 in 2024 to 395,000 in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027. This marks the first reduction in immigration targets by the Canadian government in several years, signalling a significant change in its approach to immigration.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau led the announcement of Canada's reduced immigration targets, a task typically handled by the Immigration Minister. He praised Canadian immigration for its vital role in the economy, stating, "It's made our economy the envy of the world." Both Trudeau and Immigration Minister Sean Miller emphasised Canada's ongoing commitment to supporting immigration.

This year's immigration plan introduces targets for temporary residents, a shift from previous plans that did not set such targets.

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The announcement follows significant changes to Canada's immigration system, especially regarding temporary residents, such as those on work or study permits. The government aims to decrease the proportion of temporary residents in Canada's overall population from 7 per cent to 5 per cent by the end of 2026.

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller said, “While it’s clear our economy needs newcomers, we see the pressures facing our country, and we must adapt our policies accordingly. We have listened to Canadians, and we will continue to protect the integrity of our system and grow our population responsibly.”

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Canada has historically been welcoming to newcomers, but recent years have seen a shift due to rising housing costs. The increase in interest rates over the past two years has made home affordability a major issue for many Canadians. The growing immigrant population has further intensified the demand for housing, contributing to record prices.

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Migrants in Canada have faced criticism for contributing to issues such as the housing crisis, rising living costs, and a strained healthcare system. The new immigration targets signal a departure from the pandemic era when the government relaxed rules for temporary residents to address labour shortages. Previously, Canada aimed to admit 500,000 new permanent residents in both 2025 and 2026. As of the second quarter of 2024, Statistics Canada reported 2.8 million temporary residents, including workers and students, in the country.