The Canadian government plans to significantly decrease the number of temporary residents allowed into the country in the coming years. According to figures in the latest budget released on Tuesday, Canada aims to admit only 385,000 temporary residents next year, which is a 43% reduction from the 2025 target. The numbers will further decrease to 370,000 in the subsequent two years. The 2026 target represents a 25% reduction compared to last year’s immigration plan, which had set a target of over 516,000 temporary residents.
The government’s focus appears to be shifting towards managing the number of immigrants entering Canada by reducing temporary residents. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne stated that the goal is to bring immigration levels to more sustainable levels since Canada had previously reached or exceeded its capacity to welcome newcomers.
Under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration, immigration cuts had already begun following a surge due to post-pandemic labor shortages. The government had earlier expressed intentions to decrease the share of temporary residents in Canada’s population. Last year’s plan introduced targets specifically for temporary residents.
The budget highlighted a significant reduction in temporary foreign workers, international student arrivals, and asylum claims compared to the previous year. The government also aims to grant permanent residency to 380,000 immigrants annually over the next three years, aligning with previous announcements.
The revised immigration targets align with changing attitudes towards immigration in Canada. A recent poll indicated that 56% of Canadians feel the country is admitting too many immigrants, showcasing a notable increase in this sentiment over the past five years.
The government’s approach to immigration is now sharpened towards addressing economic needs. Champagne emphasized the importance of attracting the best talent while maintaining sustainable immigration levels. The budget outlines plans to increase the proportion of economic migrants among permanent residents from 59% to 64% over the next three years.
Recent immigrants faced an unemployment rate of 11.1% last year, double the rate of Canadian-born individuals. Statistics Canada reported that immigrants were more likely to work in fields unrelated to their education or training compared to native-born counterparts. To address this issue, the government announced a reallocation of $97 million to expedite the recognition of foreign credentials.
The budget proposes a one-time measure to expedite the permanent residency status of 33,000 work permit holders over the next two years. Additionally, a new accelerated pathway will be introduced for U.S. H-1B visa holders, particularly those in specialized occupations like technology.
Furthermore, the budget includes funding to attract highly qualified international researchers to Canadian universities over 13 years. The government also plans to fast-track permanent residency for protected persons awaiting approval after having their asylum claims accepted.
Criticism of the government’s plan has come from Syed Hussan of the Migrant Rights Network, who described it as an “attack on refugees and migrants.” He expressed concerns about scapegoating newcomers for existing crises rather than addressing underlying issues such as corporate interests and societal underfunding.
