Meeting our population commitments and building our future
Building a strong Canadian economy requires an immigration system that is sustainable and responsive to labour market needs.
Our immigration commitments are to:
- reduce our temporary population to less than 5% of the total population by the end of 2027
- stabilize permanent resident admissions at less than 1% of the total population after 2027
- increase the Francophone immigration target to 12% of permanent resident admissions by 2029
Immigration contributes to the overall Canadian population. Taking control of our immigration admissions is essential to relieving pressure on our housing, infrastructure, and services, and setting ourselves up for long term success and stability.
Reducing our temporary population to less than 5%
Working towards our commitment to return immigration to sustainable levels and control the pace of population growth will require a mix of new measures and existing tools, including immigration levels planning. Our goal is to help ease pressure on infrastructure, public services, and housing.
What we are doing
Offering stability to those with protected status
These are people already in Canada who have been recognized as needing protection by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada or through IRCC’s pre-removal risk assessment process. We will help vulnerable people gain stability and support their integration.
Maximizing transitions of skilled temporary residents to permanent residence
We’re building on the contributions and skills of those already here in Canada, so we can ease pressures on infrastructure, housing and services.
Reducing the number of international students coming to Canada
We’ve capped international students and strengthened the International Student Program.
See how we are returning international student numbers to sustainable levels
Updated and reformed temporary worker programs
We’ve updated the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, reformed Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, and limited work permits for spouses of temporary residents.
See how we are returning temporary worker numbers to sustainable levels
Strengthening the integrity of Canada’s immigration and asylum systems
We’ve implemented visa requirements, expanded the application of the Safe Third Country Agreement and heightened scrutiny on temporary resident visas.
Stabilizing our permanent resident admissions
In addition to meeting the less than 1% after 2027, we are focusing on the people and skills that help build Canada, support our economy, strengthen our communities and help set a foundation for the future.
380,000
admissions in 2026 is less than 1% of Canada’s total population
Meeting our francophone admissions commitments
Francophone immigration plays a crucial role in strengthening our national identity and supporting our economic prosperity. We are working towards a goal of increasing the Francophone immigration target to 12% of permanent resident admissions by 2029.
- 9.0% in 2026
- 9.5% in 2027
- 10.5% in 2028
What we’re doing
Increasing admissions targets for skilled workers which is a key pathway for attracting and admitting skilled Francophone immigrants to Canada.