In response to population growth, Canada has chosen to scale back its previous open immigration policy by reducing the number of permanent residents allowed into the country.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government announced plans to lower the number of newcomers as public opinion on immigration shifts.
According to reports, this change will result in a 20% drop in immigration to Canada.
In the latest immigration plan outlined by Immigration Minister Marc Miller on Thursday, Canada is projected to accept approximately 395,000 permanent residents in 2025, down nearly 20% from the anticipated 485,000 for this year.
The strategy also outlines a goal for temporary immigrants, such as international students and foreign workers, with their numbers projected to decrease to approximately 446,000 in 2025 and 2026, a significant drop from the current figure of about 800,000. By 2027, Canada plans to only accept 17,400 new non-permanent residents.
These changes are anticipated to result in a projected decrease in population of 0.2% over the next two years, moving away from the strong population growth of 3% seen in the second quarter of this year.
If the government achieves its objectives, it would represent the first time in Canada’s history that the population has declined since the 1950s.
During a press conference, Trudeau described the strategy as a ‘pause’ in population growth, aimed at providing time for various levels of government to enhance healthcare, housing, and social services to meet the needs of future populations.
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