Canada will cut its permanent immigration levels by at least 20 per cent
CTV
Canada will lower the number of permanent immigrants it allows into the country by at least 20 per cent from its previous target of 500,000, CTV News confirmed Wednesday.
Canada will lower the number of permanent immigrants it allows into the country by at least 20 per cent from its previous target of 500,000, CTV News confirmed Wednesday.
The decision comes as many Canadians face housing and affordability concerns, and the federal government has faced ongoing pressure to address the number of temporary and permanent residents coming to Canada.
The new targets were first reported by the National Post.
During a Liberal cabinet retreat in Halifax last August, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signalled a possible reduction in permanent resident levels, a major policy reversal for the federal government.
"We're looking at the various streams to make sure that as we move forward, Canada remains a place that is positive in its support for immigration, but also responsible in the way we integrate and make sure there's pathways to success for everyone who comes to Canada," Trudeau said.
That same week, the federal government announced stricter rules to reduce the low-wage stream of temporary foreign workers.
In an interview last August with CTV News Chief Political Correspondent Vassy Kapelos, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said the federal government is "looking at a number of options" to re-evaluate permanent resident levels in Canada and any upcoming changes would not be "cosmetic" but "significant."
