Canada to Reduce Immigration Levels to Manage Population Growth
The Canadian government has implemented new strategies aimed at curbing population growth by decreasing the annual quota for permanent residents. On Thursday, Marc Miller, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, revealed that the country will reduce its yearly intake from the previously planned 500,000 to significantly lower figures over the next three years, starting in 2025.
Under the revised Immigration Levels Plan, Canada is set to accept 395,000 permanent residents in 2025, followed by 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027. Minister Miller emphasized that this decision is intended to temporarily pause population growth to facilitate responsible and sustainable long-term development.
“This levels plan establishes targeted controls for temporary residents, which includes international students and foreign workers, in addition to permanent residents,” he stated. “Today’s announcement represents a vital step in our strategy to address the changing immigration demands of our nation. While it’s evident that newcomers are crucial to our economy, we must also recognize and respond to the challenges that our country is facing.”
Miller further noted that the measures will ensure that immigration effectively benefits Canada, allowing all residents access to essential resources such as quality jobs, housing, and support systems. “We have heard the concerns of Canadians and are committed to safeguarding the integrity of our immigration framework while promoting sustainable population growth,” he continued.
The Levels Plan additionally seeks to achieve a reduction in temporary resident numbers, targeting a maximum of 5% of Canada’s total population by the end of 2026. In concrete terms, the government anticipates a decline of 445,901 temporary residents in 2025, 445,662 in 2026, followed by a slight increase of 17,439 in 2027.
Canada’s population reached 41 million in April 2024, with immigration responsible for nearly 98% of this growth in 2023. Notably, 60% of the increase was due to temporary residents.
In light of these developments, the Canadian government aims to balance immigration needs with sustainable population policies, reflecting an ongoing dialogue with its citizens.
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