Canada is making significant immigration cuts to address housing and social service pressures following a labor shortage exacerbated by the pandemic. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged that the previous response was imbalanced, leading to the revision of immigrant numbers over the next few years.
The plan includes a decrease in new permanent residents, aiming for 395,000 in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027, down from 485,000 in 2024. Additionally, temporary residents will also be reduced significantly. This move has sparked mixed reactions, with some concerned about labor shortages in key sectors.
While some applaud the government’s efforts to ease economic and infrastructure stress, there are concerns about the impact on the labor pool and foreign investment. The measures are seen as a way to address the increasing public skepticism towards immigration and its impact on housing affordability.
Despite the potential economic benefits, the move underscores the delicate balance between meeting labor needs, maintaining population growth, and ensuring social stability in post-pandemic Canada.
© Thomson Reuters 2024.