Canada Cuts Permanent Residency Slots Amid Population Growth Concerns

The Canadian government has announced a significant reduction in the number of permanent residency slots as part of a new strategy to manage population growth.

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller, revealed on Thursday that the annual intake will decrease from the previously planned 500,000 to 395,000 in 2025, followed by 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027.

Miller explained that this initiative, effective from 2025, is aimed at ensuring sustainable population growth while addressing current pressures on resources.

“The 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan will pause population growth in the short term to achieve well-managed, sustainable growth in the long term,” he stated.

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The minister emphasized the necessity of this adjustment: “While it’s clear our economy needs newcomers, we see the pressures facing our country, and we must adapt our policies accordingly.”

This plan also involves controlled targets for temporary residents, including international students and foreign workers.

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Miller further noted, “These changes will make immigration work for our country so that everyone has access to the quality jobs, homes, and support they need to thrive.”

The government also aims to reduce the volume of temporary residents to 5% of Canada’s population by the end of 2026.

Canada’s population reached approximately 41 million in April 2024, with immigration accounting for nearly 98% of its growth in 2023.