Maple News reports that the Canadian government is preparing to unveil its latest Immigration Levels Plan, outlining national targets for permanent and temporary residents from 2026 to 2028.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the new plan will be released by November 1, 2025. Each year, the Immigration Levels Plan sets firm targets for the upcoming year and projected figures for the two years following. These plans help both policymakers and the public anticipate the scale and scope of incoming immigration.
In line with the current government’s promise to stabilize immigration, upcoming permanent resident (PR) targets are expected to remain below 1% of Canada’s population annually. With the population estimated at 41.65 million as of July 1, 2025, this implies a maximum of approximately 416,500 PR admissions for 2027.
The government has already moved in this direction. The 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, released in 2024, reduced the number of admissions compared to the previous year’s plan. For instance, the government lowered the 2025 PR target from 500,000 (as set in the 2024–2026 plan) to 395,000. The downward trend continues, with targets of 380,000 for 2026 and 365,000 for 2027.
These figures include all categories—economic immigrants, family reunification, and refugees and humanitarian cases. Making these distinctions is crucial, as each category supports a different aspect of Canada’s immigration strategy, from addressing labor shortages to maintaining humanitarian commitments.
This stabilization marks a significant shift from the ambitious growth targets seen over the past few years. In 2023, Canada appeared poised to reach half a million new permanent residents annually. However, rising pressures on housing, healthcare, and employment have led to a recalibrated approach aimed at sustainable population growth.
While exact numbers for 2028 won’t be binding, policymakers typically use the third year in the plan to set reasonable expectations. Given the current trajectory, the 2028 figure is likely to stay within a similar range, barring any dramatic policy or geopolitical shifts.
As the federal government moves cautiously in response to broader economic and societal challenges, Maple News will continue monitoring developments leading up to the official release this fall. Stakeholders in immigration, housing, and labor markets will be watching closely as further details emerge.