Due to the issues arising from rapid population growth, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government is taking steps to limit immigration. The Canadian government has revealed plans to reduce the number of foreign students permitted to enter the country and to enforce stricter rules for foreign workers starting next year. These details were shared by Immigration Minister Marc Miller during a press conference in Ottawa. For 2025, Canada plans to cut the number of international student permits by 10% compared to this year’s numbers, with this limit continuing into 2026. This change represents a significant 36% decrease from the figures seen in 2023. However, Universities Canada has indicated that the country may not meet this year’s immigration goals due to a drop in applications from international students. These changes aim to control the rapid growth of the temporary resident population, which includes foreign students, temporary workers, and asylum seekers. This group has expanded significantly since the pandemic, leading to criticism of Trudeau’s immigration policies. Minister Miller emphasized the importance of having a sustainable immigration system, stating that not everyone who wants to come to Canada will be able to do so, and highlighting the need for a well-managed immigration process.
Canada’s robust immigration played a key role in helping the country recover from the pandemic and lessened the effects of high interest rates on its economic growth. However, the recent influx of around three million people over the past three years has created challenges, particularly in housing costs and public services, which has impacted Prime Minister Trudeau’s approval ratings. In March, the government aimed to lower the percentage of temporary residents from 6.2% to 5% within three years, but this figure has since increased to approximately 6.8%. The main factor contributing to the decline in immigration is the current reduction in foreign student visas. The government’s new policies are projected to cut the number of temporary immigrants by 525,000 over the next three years, working towards the goal of reaching a 5% share of temporary residents. This shift reflects a significant change in immigration strategy as the country grapples with the challenges of rapid population growth. Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault has also introduced stricter regulations on the use of temporary foreign workers in Quebec, extending similar measures already in place in other provinces. These new rules prohibit the use of the program in areas where the unemployment rate is 6% or higher. This approach resonates with public sentiment, as a recent poll indicated that most Canadians favor reducing the number of temporary workers in the country.
