Federal government expected to announce new immigration targets this week
PM said 2 months ago government would consider reducing intake of permanent residents
The federal government is expected to unveil revised immigration targets on Thursday morning, CBC News has learned.
This announcement comes nearly two months after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau indicated the government might reduce the number of permanent residents admitted each year. In August, when asked by CBC News about potential changes to the immigration system, Trudeau confirmed that immigration levels would be reviewed in the fall.
Under the current immigration plan, released in November 2023, Canada is set to admit approximately 485,000 permanent residents in 2024, with that number increasing to 500,000 in both 2025 and 2026.
In August, Immigration Minister Marc Miller signaled that these targets could be adjusted if necessary. “I'm very open to making changes if the economy dictates it or if the social fabric dictates it,” Miller said. “That's smart politics, smart policy, and it’s what Canadians expect us to do.”
Miller also acknowledged concerns about the rapid pace of population growth in Canada, which is among the highest in the developed world.
Housing affordability has become a significant political challenge for the Liberal government. Internal documents obtained by The Canadian Press reveal that federal officials warned the government over two years ago that sharp increases in immigration could impact housing affordability and access to public services.
Earlier this year, Miller and Housing Minister Sean Fraser emphasized that the government was working to manage the flow of new arrivals to address growing housing pressures.
