Full Breakdown
Prime Minister Mark Carney Signals a “Controlled Increase” in Canada’s Immigration Levels
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Announcement
Prime Minister Mark Carney told the *New York Times* that Canada’s immigration system is now “back under control” and that the next step is to determine when to start a “controlled increase” in the country’s population. His comments come a little more than a month before the government must, by law, publish its three-year immigration levels plan.
Recent Policy Trajectory
The three most recent federal immigration plans have focused on lowering the number of newcomers after a sharp post-pandemic surge. In addition, the government has set a target to reduce the share of temporary foreign workers and international students to five percent of the population, down from roughly seven percent in late 2024.
Recommendations from the C.D. Howe Institute
The C.D. Howe Institute’s immigration targets council, which includes several leading immigration scholars, a former deputy minister, and former Alberta premier Jason Kenney, has advised the government to continue shrinking the number of arrivals over the next three years.
Data Snapshot
- Temporary arrivals target: 5 % of the population (down from about 7 % in late 2024).
- The council’s recommendation aligns with the government’s recent emphasis on reducing overall immigration numbers.
What’s Next
Within the coming weeks, the government is required to release its immigration levels plan outlining targets for the next three years. The plan will reveal whether the “controlled increase” discussed by Carney will be implemented and how it will balance the reduction goals set by both the government and the C.D. Howe Institute.
