The best is yet to come
OK
Log out of UNA?
Log out
Cancel
Revolutionizing Immigration with AI
My Appointments
Welcome to UNA
Canada Announces Immigration Policy Adjustments, Sparking Widespread Discussion

On October 24, 2024, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Marc Miller, announced the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, aiming to slow down immigration growth in the short term to enable sustainable growth and effective long-term management. This decision has garnered widespread attention and discussion across various sectors, and many potential immigration applicants are closely monitoring how these changes might impact them.

Government Announces Reduction in Immigration Targets

According to the new immigration level plan, Canada will reduce its permanent resident targets over the next few years:

  • 2025: Reducing from 500,000 permanent residents to 395,000, and more than 40% of overall permanent resident admissions in 2025 will be students or workers already in Canada.
  • 2026: Reducing from 500,000 permanent residents to 380,000
  • 2027: Setting a target of 365,000 permanent residents

Additionally, the plan includes reducing the temporary resident population to 5% of Canada’s total population, which means the number of temporary residents is expected to decline over the coming years.

Minister Marc Miller stated: “Today’s announcement is our next step in addressing Canada’s evolving immigration needs. While our economy needs new immigrants, we also see the pressures faced by the country, and we must adjust policies accordingly.”

Quota Changes for Economic and Family Immigration

202520262027
EconomicFederal Economic PrioritiesIncludes admissions for eligible candidates with specific skills, training and language ability, in order to be responsive to labour-market needs, through categories established by the Minister of IRC in the Express Entry system. The 2025 priority categories include: health care occupations, trade occupations, and French-language proficiency. 41,70047,40047,800
In-Canada FocusPrimarily admissions from the Canadian Experience Class and other regional immigration pathways but may also come from Federal Skilled Workers and Federal Skilled Trades.82,98075,83070,930
Federal BusinessIncludes admissions from the Start-up Visa Program and the Self-employed Persons Program.2,0001,0001,000
Federal Economic PilotsIncludes Caregivers; Agri-Food; Community Immigration Pilots; Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot.10,9209,9209,920
Atlantic Immigration Program5,0005,0005,000
Provincial Nominee Program55,00055,00055,000
Quebec Skilled Workers and Business34,500TBDTBD
FamilySpouses, Partners and Children70,00066,50061,000
Parents and Grandparents24,50021,50020,000

Data Source:Notice – Supplementary Information for the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan

Comparison with the 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan

Quota changes around 2025 in the two plans are as follows:

  • Federal Business (SUV/Self-employed): 6,000 -> 2,000, decrease 66%
  • Federal Economic Pilots (Caregivers, Agri-Food, Community Immigration Pilots): 14,750 -> 10,920, decrease 25%
  • AIP: 14,500 -> 5,000, decrease 65%
  • Family Reunification (Spouses, Partners, and Children): 82,000 -> 70,000, decrease 14.6%
  • Family Reunification (Parents and Grandparents): 36,000 -> 24,500, decrease 31.9%

Public Reactions

Concerns in the Business Community

Diana Palmerin-Velasco from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce expressed concern over this shift. She emphasized that immigration has played a key role in helping Canada avert economic recession. “The business community is worried about the message we’re sending. If we want more foreign investment, we need talent,” she noted.

Confusion Among Small Businesses

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business reported that small business owners feel confused and anxious about this change. They worry about the visas of foreign workers already in Canada expiring soon, with the new policy possibly hindering renewal.

Impact on Agriculture and Rural Communities

Cam Dahl, General Manager of the Manitoba Pork Council, hopes the policy will consider regional differences. He highlighted that in industries like pig farming, transportation, and processing, new immigrants are indispensable labor.

Policy Impact Analysis

Impact on the Labor Market

Some industry organizations worry that reducing immigration may negatively affect the labor supply, particularly in critical fields like healthcare, construction, and transportation. Immigrants play a significant role in Canada’s residential construction sector, making up 23% of all general contractors and residential builders.

Impact on the Housing Market

The government expects that lowering immigration numbers will help ease the housing market, with a projected reduction of approximately 670,000 units in the housing supply gap by the end of 2027.

Economic Growth and Social Services

The government stated that this plan will support sustained GDP growth and accelerate per capita GDP growth between 2025 and 2027. Additionally, it will improve housing affordability, reduce unemployment rates, and alleviate pressure on social services.

Government’s Response

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged that Canada’s rapid immigration growth over the past three years has strained resources. He remarked, “We are taking action because, in the turbulent period post-pandemic recovery, we did not fully balance workforce demands with population growth.”

Trudeau emphasized that the government’s goal is to stabilize population growth, giving all levels of government time to catch up by investing in healthcare, housing, and social services to support future population increases.

Conclusion

The Canadian government’s adjustment to immigration policies seeks to balance economic needs with the sustainability of social services. For immigration applicants, understanding these policy changes and responding proactively will help enhance the chances of success. We will continue to monitor policy developments to provide you with the latest information and guidance.

Sources: News releases from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Reuters reports, and New York Times coverage.

安大略省宣布新规,简化跨省专业人士执业认证流程
Ontario Announces New Regulations to Streamline Certification for Interprovincial Professionals
The Government of Ontario has recently announced a major reform framework known as "As of Right," designed to break down interprovincial barriers and significantly simplify the certification process for professionals in regulated occupations coming from other Canadian provinces. The new rules, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, will shorten the certification period from the current several months to as little as 10 business days, thereby promoting free labour mobility within Canada. This initiative will not only have a profound impact on professions like architects and engineers but also establishes a special fast-track entry for certain healthcare professionals from Canada and the United States, potentially creating new opportunities for individuals seeking to immigrate through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
09/08/2025
安大略省PNP项目再发逾1800份邀请,重点吸纳境内紧缺职业人才
Ontario PNP Issues Over 1,800 Invitations, Targeting In-Canada Candidates in High-Demand Occupations
On September 3, 2025, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) conducted two pivotal draws, issuing 1,893 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for provincial nomination to candidates already residing in Canada and possessing job offers in 77 specific priority occupations. These draws primarily targeted the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker and Employer Job Offer: International Student streams, with minimum scores of 42 and 63, respectively. Notably, these invitations were issued following the shift to an employer-led application process in Ontario's immigration system, underscoring the province's ongoing demand for specific skilled talent and reflecting its dynamic adjustments to immigration policy.
09/05/2025
加拿大快速通道最新抽签:向法语人才发出4500份申请邀请
Canada's Latest Express Entry Draw Issues 4,500 Invitations to French-Speaking Candidates
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its third Express Entry draw of the week on September 4, 2025, specifically inviting candidates with French-language proficiency. A total of 4,500 Invitations to Apply (ITA) were issued in this round, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement of 446. This draw highlights the Canadian immigration system's continued emphasis on supporting Francophone communities and attracting candidates with specific skills.
09/05/2025
阿尔伯塔省提名项目定向邀请执法人员,最低分数线创年内新低
Alberta PNP Targets Law Enforcement Professionals in New Draw, Minimum Score Hits 2025 Low
On August 19, 2025, the province of Alberta conducted a targeted draw through its Provincial Nominee Program's (AAIP) Law Enforcement Pathway. While fewer than 10 invitations were issued, the minimum qualifying score was only 45, one of the lowest this year. This dedicated immigration stream aims to help the province recruit police and other law enforcement professionals to address local public safety and recruitment objectives. Data reveals that despite the low score, competition remains high due to a limited annual quota and a significant number of candidates in the pool.
09/04/2025
加拿大移民快速通道发出新一轮邀请,聚焦加拿大经验类别
Canada Issues New Round of Express Entry Invitations, Focusing on Canadian Experience Class
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its latest Express Entry draw on September 3, 2025. This draw specifically targeted candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), issuing a total of 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for invited candidates was 534. This draw marks the ninth invitation round for this category so far this year.
09/04/2025
加拿大九月首轮快速通道抽签:聚焦省提名项目,249人获邀
Canada Invites 249 PNP Candidates in First Express Entry Draw of September
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its first Express Entry draw of September on September 2, 2025, issuing 249 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence to candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this draw was 772. Data indicates that the PNP continues to be the primary category for invitations in 2025, highlighting its central role in Canada's immigration system.
09/03/2025
安大略省省提名项目发布最新邀请,重点面向安省北部及特定社区的申请人
Ontario Provincial Nominee Program Issues New Invitations, Targeting Candidates in Northern Ontario and Specific Communities
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) held five targeted provincial nomination draws on August 28, 2025, issuing a total of 468 invitations to apply to eligible candidates. These invitations primarily focused on two categories of applicants: foreign workers and international students with job offers in Northern Ontario, and candidates who qualify for the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot program with an employer job offer in a specific community. This round of invitations again highlights Ontario's strategic direction of using immigration policy to address labour shortages in specific regions.
09/02/2025
萨斯喀彻温省提名移民配额增加,优先行业申请迎来新机
Saskatchewan Receives Increased Immigration Allocation, Creating New Opportunities for Priority Sectors
The Canadian province of Saskatchewan has announced that its 2025 Provincial Nominee Program (SINP) has received an additional 1,136 nominations from the federal government, bringing its total annual allocation to 4,761. This adjustment reopens application pathways for several sectors that were previously paused due to reaching their caps. Against a backdrop of diverging immigration allocation trends across Canada, this development in Saskatchewan, along with increases in several other provinces, highlights the complex and evolving landscape of federal and provincial immigration policies.
08/29/2025
爱德华王子岛省提名更新:2025年第八轮抽签重点邀请省内技术工人与特定院校毕业生
PEI PNP Update: Eighth Draw of 2025 Targets In-Province Skilled Workers and Graduates from Designated Institutions
On August 21, 2025, Canada's Prince Edward Island (PEI) held its eighth Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) draw of the year, issuing a total of 132 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates. This draw continued to focus on applicants already living and working in the province in high-demand occupations, with special priority given to international graduates from three designated local post-secondary institutions. To date, PEI has issued a cumulative total of 792 invitations in 2025.
08/28/2025
BC省公布最新企业家移民抽选结果,重点类别分数线小幅波动
British Columbia Holds New Entrepreneur Immigration Draw, Score Requirements Shift
The province of British Columbia held a new Provincial Nominee Program draw on August 19, 2025, exclusively targeting candidates in the Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) category. A total of no more than 16 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued through the Base and Regional Pilot streams. The results confirm a clear trend in 2025, with the BC PNP prioritizing business and investment streams, marking this the sixth entrepreneur-focused draw of the year.
08/27/2025
Sorry, your request failed
Please try again
OK