Canada Slashes Temporary Resident Intake by 43% to Ease Population Pressure

Canada is making a dramatic cut to its temporary resident population. The federal government announced a plan to reduce intake by nearly 43%. This decision was part of the Federal Budget presentation. It targets foreign workers and international students.The move aims to balance the number of new arrivals with those leaving. It addresses growing public concern over housing and infrastructure strain. According to Reuters, this is a significant policy shift for a country that has heavily relied on immigration.

New Immigration Levels Target Sustainable Growth

The new immigration levels plan outlines specific targets. The number of temporary residents will drop sharply between 2026 and 2028. The previous target for international students was 305,000 per year. The new plan cuts that to 155,000, nearly halving the original figure.Targets for foreign workers are also falling. The government projects 385,000 workers and students in 2026. This number will decrease to 370,000 for the following two years. The total new work permits issued will drop to 220,000 by 2027.

Focus Shifts to Economic Immigration for Permanent Residency

While temporary intake falls, permanent resident numbers see a smaller reduction. The target drops marginally from 395,000 in 2025 to 380,000 afterward. The government will prioritize economic immigration for permanent residency. Nearly 65% of new permanent residents will support labour market needs by 2027.This policy change responds to political pressure over immigration levels. The government commits to bringing temporary resident volumes below 5% of the population. This recalibration aims to ensure sustainable growth for the future.

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This major policy shift redefines Canada’s approach to population growth. The sharp reduction in temporary resident intake marks a new chapter for the nation’s immigration system. It aims to manage population pressure while still filling critical labour gaps.

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Who is most affected by these new Canadian immigration rules?

International students and temporary foreign workers face the biggest impact. The cohorts from India will be particularly affected, as they form the largest group in these categories. The number of new study permits and work permits will be significantly reduced.

How will this affect Canada’s permanent immigration pathway?

The targets for permanent residents are only seeing a slight decrease. The government is shifting its focus toward economic immigration streams. This means a higher percentage of permanent residents will be selected based on their ability to fill labour market needs.

Why is Canada making this change now?

The government is responding to public pressure over housing affordability and infrastructure strain. There has been growing anti-immigration sentiment in the country. This policy aims to bring population growth to a more sustainable level.

What is the new target for the temporary resident population?

The government has committed to reducing the temporary resident population to less than 5% of the total population. This goal is set for the end of 2027. The new intake levels are designed to help achieve this target through departures and program limits.

Will this affect applications already in process?

The announcement details future intake targets for coming years. It does not typically affect applications that have already been submitted and are being processed. The changes govern the number of new permits that will be issued in the future.