The Canadian government plans to decrease the number of temporary residents entering the country in the coming years. The target for next year is set at 385,000 individuals, a 43% reduction from the 2025 goal, with further decreases to 370,000 in the subsequent two years. This marks a significant decline from the previous immigration plan, which aimed to welcome over 516,000 temporary residents in 2026.
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne expressed the government’s intention to bring immigration to more sustainable levels. The focus is shifting towards temporary residents as part of efforts to control the overall number of newcomers to Canada. The government had already started reducing immigration under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to address post-pandemic labor shortages.
The latest budget revealed a halving of temporary foreign workers and a 60% decrease in international student arrivals this year compared to 2024. Asylum claims have also dropped by about a third. The government aims to grant permanent residency to 380,000 immigrants annually over the next three years. These adjustments align with a growing sentiment among Canadians that the country is admitting too many immigrants.
The new targets underscore a shift towards addressing economic needs through immigration. Minister Champagne emphasized the goal of attracting the best talents while maintaining sustainable immigration levels. The government aims to increase the share of economic migrants among permanent residents from 59% to 64% in the next three years.
To support immigrant integration, the Liberals are reallocating funds to accelerate the recognition of foreign credentials. Additionally, the budget proposes fast-tracking permanent residency for 33,000 work permit holders and launching an expedited pathway for U.S. H-1B visa holders, especially those in specialized occupations like the technology sector.
The budget also designates $1.7 billion over 13 years to attract highly qualified international researchers to Canadian universities. It includes measures to accelerate permanent residency for protected persons awaiting approval. However, critics, including the Migrant Rights Network advocacy group, have denounced the plan as an unwarranted attack on refugees and migrants, attributing blame to newcomers for various societal challenges.