Maple News reports that the Canadian federal government has unveiled its 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, with a major strategic shift toward permanent migration via the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), while simultaneously reducing intake under temporary programs like the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and international study permits.
Under the new plan, PNP admissions will rise significantly to 91,500 by 2026—an increase of 66% from the previous target of 55,000. The move signals Ottawa’s growing reliance on provinces and territories to select immigrants tailored to local labor needs and economic goals.
In contrast, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program is being dialed back. The 2026 admissions target is now 60,000—down from 82,000 previously. Admissions for international students are set to decline as well, with 155,000 projected in 2026, falling to 150,000 by 2028.
However, the International Mobility Program (IMP), which allows employers to hire foreign nationals without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), is seeing an expansion. IMP admissions are expected to reach 170,000 in 2026—a 32% jump from last year’s target of 128,700—highlighting the federal government’s prioritization of flexibility-driven work permit streams that support international agreements and Canadian interests.
Overall, Canada will maintain its annual permanent residence target at 380,000 from 2026 through 2028. Of these, 239,800 spots in 2026 will be allocated to economic immigration streams such as the PNP and Express Entry programs. Family reunification will account for approximately 84,000 spots, while 56,200 admissions are reserved for refugees and humanitarian cases.
The number of French-speaking immigrants settling outside Quebec will also steadily increase—from 9% (30,267 individuals) in 2026 to 10.5% (35,175) in 2028, supporting Canada’s goal of strengthening francophone communities nationwide.
Temporary resident levels are set to decrease overall, with a total of 385,000 projected in 2026, down sharply from the 2025 figure of 673,650. This reflects a broader policy recalibration aimed at enhancing Canada’s long-term labor market stability, housing conditions, and social services capacity.
These updates indicate a clear policy emphasis on fostering economic immigration and permanent settlement, while taking a more measured approach to temporary migration pathways. The 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan underscores a long-term vision positioning the PNP as a cornerstone of Canada’s immigration future.