Canada to Cut Immigration Numbers Amid Rising Concerns.
TORONTO — For the first time in years, Canada plans to significantly reduce the number of immigrants allowed into the country. This policy shift comes as the government seeks to maintain its political standing.
According to a government source, Canada will admit 395,000 new permanent residents in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027. This marks a decrease from the 485,000 permanent residents expected in 2024. Additionally, the number of temporary residents is set to decline by about 30,000, bringing the total to around 300,000 in 2025.
These new immigration targets were first reported by The National Post.
Historically, Canada has prided itself on being welcoming to newcomers. However, recent discussions about immigration have shifted, largely due to soaring housing prices. Many Canadians have found themselves priced out of the housing market since interest rates began rising two years ago. The influx of immigrants has driven Canada’s population to record levels, further escalating housing demand and costs.
This issue has become increasingly contentious in Canadian politics, especially with a federal election looming no later than October 2025. Recent polls indicate that more Canadians feel the country has too many immigrants.
There has been a notable backlash against newcomers, with reports of rising hate crimes against visible minorities, according to advocates and community members.
Migrant advocates have condemned the government’s decision. Syed Hussan, spokesperson for the Migrant Rights Network Secretariat, stated, “We are witnessing one of the most egregious rollbacks of migrant rights in Canadian history. Cutting permanent resident numbers is a direct assault on migrants who will be forced to remain temporary or become undocumented, pushed further into exploitative jobs.”
The office of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not respond immediately for comment.
These new immigration targets also represent a departure from the pandemic era, when the government relaxed rules for temporary residents to address labor shortages. Canada had previously planned to welcome 500,000 new permanent residents in 2025 and the same number in 2026. As of the second quarter of 2024, Statistics Canada reported that there were 2.8 million temporary residents in the country, including workers and students.
In an August interview, Immigration Minister Marc Miller told Reuters, “Canadians want a system that is not out of control.”
Facing declining poll numbers, the Liberal government is working to regulate immigration. Data obtained by Reuters shows that immigration officials have approved fewer visas this year, while border officials have denied entry to a growing number of visa-holders.
The government aims to reduce the share of temporary residents in the population from 6.8% in April to 5% over the next three years. Additionally, it has capped the number of international students and tightened regulations on temporary foreign workers. This program, which brings non-Canadians to work temporarily in Canada, has faced criticism for suppressing wages and leaving workers vulnerable to exploitation.
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