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Canada to Reduce Immigration Targets: A Call to Potential Candidates

By: Mariam Baher

In a recent announcement, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Canada will be adjusting its annual immigration intake, reducing the target from 500,000 new permanent residents to approximately 395,000 by 2026. While this change reflects a slight decrease of 21-27 percent over the next three years, it is important to note that these adjustments are quite minor in the grand scheme of things. Most immigration programs will continue to thrive, and these changes will only impact a few areas.

What is Canada’s new Immigration Target?

The government of Canada 2025-2027 levels plan indicates a reduction in the number of permanent resident admissions, with projections of 395,000 in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027. This change is primarily a result of widespread criticism of the Liberal government’s immigration intake over the last few years and the negative impact that rapid population growth has had on the availability and affordability of housing. CTV news stated that “Immigration Minister Marc Miller claims that lower immigration numbers will help with the housing shortage, estimating that by 2027, Canada will need to build 670,000 fewer homes to close the gap.”

Trudeau claims that businesses and provinces have contributed to the economic downfall of our country stating that, “Far too many corporations have chosen to abuse our temporary measures, exploiting foreign workers while refusing to hire Canadians for a fair wage, all while under the watch of provinces.” As a result, Monsieur Boissonnault, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, announced that starting November 8, 2024, the federal government will be increasing the minimum hourly wage that must be paid to temporary foreign workers who fall under the high-wage stream to protect the Canadian labour market and its workers.

Immigration plays an important role in driving Canada’s economic growth, and it is equally as important to ensure that newcomers are effectively integrated and supported within the community. The government of Canda is focused on improving resources and services for immigrants, especially as the number of arrivals is expected to decline in some programs. While some programs, like the provincial nominee program (PNP), may be greatly impacted, others, such as Express Entry (EE), will face little to no change. Additionally, under the IRCC’s 2024 policy on Francophone immigration, the Canadian government plans to increase francophone immigration outside of Quebec by 8.5% in 2025, 9.5% in 2026, and 10% in 2027.

Next Steps for potential Candidates

As the government prepares to implement these new targets, this change comes at a pivotal moment for potential immigrants. Although this news may sound scary to some candidates, it is important to note that these targets will not affect all programs. With the immigration landscape evolving, applying sooner could be advantageous in securing a place in Canada’s diverse society.

Despite the new targets, Canada remains the destination of choice for immigrants around the world. Interested candidates are urged to start their application processes as soon as possible to avoid potential delays or complications under the government’s new targets. With the new targets in place, newcomers will get the compensation they deserve to live the life they always wanted to live.