In an interview with CTV News on August 26, Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, revealed that he is considering substantial changes to Canada’s permanent immigration levels.
Miller indicated that he is exploring a range of options to address permanent immigration, emphasizing that any forthcoming adjustments will be “significant” rather than merely “cosmetic.” When pressed for details on what “significant” might involve, he noted that “all options are on the table.”
The Minister highlighted that the upcoming Immigration Levels Plan will involve “considerations about whether we reduce what type of immigration we are supporting,” pointing out that currently, 60% of immigration is allocated to economic immigrants—a proportion he views as “unprecedented” compared to other countries.
However, Miller also stressed the importance of avoiding an “overcorrection.” He acknowledged that during the COVID-19 pandemic, immigration played a crucial role in helping Canada avert a recession and assured that future decisions will be made in a “thoughtful fashion.”
The Immigration Levels Plan is an annual publication by the federal immigration department that outlines the number of new permanent residents Canada aims to admit. Updated each year, it sets targets for the current year and the next two years, guiding the operations of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
A Year of Change
Immigration Minister Miller’s remarks come amid declining public support for immigration in Canada. Recent polls indicate a drop in support throughout 2023, primarily due to mounting pressures on housing and general affordability.
In response, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has already implemented measures to reduce the influx of temporary residents—those on work or study permits, or visitor visas/electronic Travel Authorizations (eTAs). This includes a historic increase in temporary resident levels in the forthcoming Immigration Levels Plan*.
To support these efforts, the immigration department has:
- Imposed a cap on study permits for international students;
- Announced plans to conduct more “domestic” permanent residence draws;
- Restricted the number of low-wage temporary foreign workers in census metropolitan areas with unemployment rates above 6%.
During his CTV interview, Minister Miller elaborated on these initiatives: “I still have adjustments to make in the International Student Program... as part of a comprehensive approach that we are continuing to implement,” he said. Miller also noted that “some of the measures...” the department is considering will be revealed “in the fall.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that while Canada aims to remain supportive of immigration, it must also ensure effective integration and provide pathways to success for all.
Additionally, IRCC has frozen permanent resident immigration levels to the 2025 targets, maintaining these levels through 2026. The targets for both years are set at 500,000, though they may be adjusted to better align with Canada’s evolving immigration needs.
The Importance of Immigration
In 2024, immigration has become a prominent issue in Canada, with wide-ranging impacts on society. Notably, nearly all labor market growth is driven by immigration. This is increasingly crucial given Canada’s aging population and the anticipated exit of a significant number of retirement-age workers from the labor force.
Moreover, Canada’s social systems—healthcare, pensions, education, and housing—could face challenges if population growth slows. A reduction in immigration may have downstream effects on these subsidized systems.
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