Maple News reports that on November 1, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officially released its Immigration Levels Plan for 2024–2026, setting ambitious but measured targets for permanent resident admissions over the next three years.
In 2024, Canada plans to welcome 485,000 new permanent residents, with the yearly target increasing to 500,000 in both 2025 and 2026. However, Immigration Minister Marc Miller emphasized that these levels aim to stabilize immigration growth while addressing rising public concerns around housing, infrastructure, and affordability.
Public sentiment toward immigration has seen a modest decline, as revealed by a recent Environics Institute report. Many Canadians have expressed concerns that increased immigration may be contributing to challenges in housing affordability and overburdened public services.
To respond to these realities, the 2024–2026 plan is crafted to maintain a careful balance. “We recognize that housing, infrastructure planning, and sustainable population growth need to be properly taken into account,” said Minister Miller. He added that the plan aims to support Canada’s long-standing humanitarian commitments, strengthen French-speaking communities, and empower regional collaboration.
A key focus of the plan involves bolstering Canada’s labour market. More than 60% of newcomers will arrive via economic immigration pathways, including Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program. These streams are designed to attract skilled workers who can integrate quickly into the workforce and fill urgent gaps in key sectors.
The announcement came just one day after IRCC released its Strategic Immigration Program report, which lays the foundation for a modernized and adaptive immigration system. Together, both documents outline a long-term vision for immigration that strengthens Canada’s economy while responding to practical challenges on the ground.
According to Maple News, this period of steady immigration will allow the federal and provincial governments to better align population growth with essential services such as housing, healthcare, and infrastructure, ensuring that new arrivals and Canadians alike are fully supported.
Overall, the 2024–2026 Immigration Levels Plan sends a clear message: while Canada remains committed to welcoming newcomers, it also seeks to improve planning and settlement services to ensure sustainable growth across the country.