Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is facing mounting criticism for pausing the release of detailed immigration statistics, a move that comes at a time when Canada is experiencing a noticeable downturn in the number of newcomers arriving through various immigration streams.
During the first quarter of 2025, Canada admitted 104,110 new permanent residents — a significant drop from 121,780 during the same period in 2024. Study permits declined sharply from 121,070 to 96,015. Work permits under the International Mobility Program (IMP) also saw a steep decline from 230,405 to 176,805. Meanwhile, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) showed a modest increase, rising from 42,730 to 44,675.
Despite these shifts, the IRCC has not released monthly immigration figures beyond March 2025, breaking a long-standing practice of publishing updated numbers on the government’s open data portal. Critics argue that the absence of updated information limits public understanding of how immigration trends are affecting critical areas such as housing, employment, and public services.
Conservative Immigration Critic Michelle Rempel Garner accused the government of deliberately obscuring vital data to avoid accountability. “Canadians have a right to know how our immigration system is functioning, especially when it influences so many facets of daily life,” she said.
In response to the backlash, IRCC stated it is in the process of redesigning its reporting system to provide clearer visualizations and more context around immigration trends. The agency claims this temporary pause in data publication is intended to improve public understanding, although it has not provided a timeline for when data releases will resume.
Observers worry that replacing raw datasets with carefully curated summaries could hinder independent research and erode trust in the country’s immigration policymaking. “Access to real-time, unfiltered numbers is crucial,” said one university-based immigration analyst. “Without them, it’s much harder to analyze whether current policies are meeting Canada’s goals.”
This episode comes at a critical juncture for Canada’s immigration strategy. Changes to student visa caps, rising housing costs, and public concerns about healthcare strain have fueled a growing call for more transparent policy discussions. Data-driven decision-making is essential, and many argue that transparency must remain at the core of Canada’s immigration approach.
Whether the decline in early 2025 numbers signals a longer-term trend or is merely part of a broader recalibration remains to be seen. However, until full transparency is restored, questions about the government’s accountability and openness are likely to persist.
Maple News will continue monitoring developments related to IRCC’s data practices and their implications for new residents, policy planning, and Canada’s global reputation as a welcoming destination for immigrants.