The Canadian government has announced a significant reduction in the annual issuance of permanent residency permits, responding to growing public opposition to increased immigration. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged weaknesses in Canada’s immigration policy, noting that, as the country emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, it has faced challenges in balancing labor demands with population growth.
According to the Associated Press on Thursday, Trudeau revealed an immigration policy that will notably decrease the number of new immigrants moving forward. His ruling Liberal Party has faced backlash for its previous plan to admit 500,000 new permanent residents annually over the next two years.
During the announcement, Trudeau specified that the number of new permanent residents would be capped at 395,000 in 2025, followed by 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027. He emphasized, “Immigration is essential to Canada’s future, but it must be controlled and sustainable.”
He also indicated that these restrictive policies would likely halt population growth over the next two years. As of April, Canada’s population reached 41 million, up from 37.5 million in 2019.
In response to the news, former U.S. President and Republican candidate for the upcoming election, Donald Trump, took to social media, stating, “Even Justin Trudeau wants to close Canada’s borders,” using this as a platform to advocate for stronger border control measures in the United States.
Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller suggested that decreasing immigrant numbers could help address the country’s housing shortage. He remarked, “We are an open country, but not everyone can come here,” stressing that Canada will continue to welcome newcomers and that the government’s immigration targets remain ambitious.
The Trudeau administration has long promoted its immigration policy, claiming that Canada excels in welcoming and integrating new immigrants into its economy compared to other nations.
Meanwhile, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre criticized Trudeau’s announcement, declaring, “He has destroyed our immigration system through his personal incompetence.” Poilievre also pointed out that some members of Trudeau’s own party have urged him not to seek re-election, predicting that these pressures could pose significant challenges to Trudeau’s political future.