The Canadian government has revealed new measures to slow population growth by reducing the number of permanent residents entering the country, News About Nigeria reports.
On Thursday, Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, announced that instead of the current annual target of 500,000 new permanent residents, the country will reduce these numbers over the next three years, starting in 2025.
Under the new plan, Canada will welcome 395,000 permanent residents in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027.
Miller explained that this adjustment is part of the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, which aims to pause population growth temporarily to ensure sustainable long-term growth.
He said that the decision is in response to the pressures facing the country, balancing the need for newcomers with the demand for quality jobs, housing, and support services.
“The levels plan includes controlled targets for temporary residents, specifically international students, and foreign workers, as well as for permanent residents,” the minister said.
“Today’s announcement is the next step in our plan to address the evolving immigration needs of our country. While it’s clear our economy needs newcomers, we see the pressures facing our country, and we must adapt our policies accordingly.
“These changes will make immigration work for our country so that everyone has access to the quality jobs, homes, and support they need to thrive. We have listened to Canadians, and we will continue to protect the integrity of our system and grow our population responsibly,” he added.
The minister also noted that the plan is to reduce the volume of temporary residents to 5% of Canada’s population by 2026.
The country will see a reduction of temporary residents by 445,901 in 2025 and 445,662 in 2026, with a slight increase of 17,439 in 2027.
Canada’s population, which reached 41 million in April 2024, has experienced rapid growth in recent years, driven largely by immigration.
In 2023, immigration accounted for almost 98% of this growth, with temporary residents making up 60% of that figure.
