The government aims to reduce the share of temporary residents from 6.8% to 5% by 2028
The Canadian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, is set to introduce stricter immigration policies to address the strain on housing and public services due to rapid population growth. These new measures will significantly reduce the intake of international students and tighten the regulations for temporary foreign workers starting in 2025, economictimes.indiatimes.com reported.
During a press conference in Ottawa, Immigration Minister Marc Miller revealed that Canada will cut international student permits by 10% from current levels, with the aim of maintaining this limit through 2026. This represents a 36% reduction compared to 2023 numbers. The decision comes at a time when Universities Canada reports that the country is already receiving fewer applications from international students this year, suggesting an overall decline.
This reduction is expected to decrease the number of temporary immigrants by about 525,000 over the next three years. The tightening of foreign student permits is a key measure toward achieving this target
The government’s primary objective is to manage the rapid increase in temporary residents, which includes foreign students, temporary workers, and asylum seekers. This demographic has grown substantially in the years following the pandemic, and many have criticized Trudeau’s immigration policies for exacerbating the housing crisis and overburdening public services. Minister Miller underscored the need for a well-regulated immigration system, remarking, “Not everyone who wants to come to Canada will be able to, just as not everyone who wants to stay in Canada will be able to.”
Canada’s post-pandemic recovery initially benefited from strong immigration levels, helping to offset the negative impacts of high interest rates on the economy. However, the population surge—an increase of roughly three million people over the past three years—has led to mounting pressure on housing affordability and essential public services, resulting in a dip in Trudeau’s popularity.
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