Canada Charts New Course: Balancing Immigration, Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development

A Pivotal Shift in Immigration Policy

In a landmark announcement, Canada’s Immigration Minister Marc Miller has unveiled the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, marking a significant shift in the country’s approach to immigration. For the first time ever, the plan includes controlled targets for both temporary and permanent residents.

Strategic Adjustments for Sustainable Growth

The new plan projects a decrease in permanent resident admissions to 395,000 in 2025, with further reductions to 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027. The economic category will remain the largest proportion of admissions, reaching nearly 62% by 2027.

This controlled approach is expected to result in a marginal population decline of 0.2% in both 2025 and 2026, before returning to a growth of 0.8% in 2027. Notably, the plan aims to reduce the housing supply gap by approximately 670,000 units by the end of 2027.

Economic Integration and Support Services

The government has demonstrated its commitment to economic integration by announcing a significant investment of $3.2 billion over three years across more than 520 organizations outside Quebec. This funding aims to improve newcomer integration, particularly in the job market and addressing labour shortages. Settlement services are specifically targeted at filling vacancies in high-demand sectors such as healthcare and skilled trades, enabling newcomers to apply their skills quickly and boost productivity.

Focus on Housing and Infrastructure

Recognizing the growing demand for housing, Canada is strengthening its construction and skilled trades workforce through immigration. The government is creating new pathways for construction workers, including initiatives for undocumented migrants already contributing to the sector, ensuring they can continue building homes with proper legal protections.

Looking Ahead

While acknowledging the economy’s need for newcomers, the government has adapted its policies to address current pressures. These strategic changes aim to ensure immigration works for the country, providing access to quality jobs, homes, and support systems needed for everyone to thrive.