Ottawa: Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, has announced a significant reduction in the number of immigrants to be admitted into Canada over the next two years.
This measure, which is intended to temporarily halt population growth, aims to ensure that the economy can keep pace and that the system operates efficiently for all Canadians.
Trudeau shared a statement on social media, stating, "We are significantly reducing the number of immigrants coming to Canada for the next two years. This is a temporary measure to pause our population growth and allow our economy to catch up. We must ensure that our system is working effectively for all Canadians."
The announcement was made during a press conference on Parliament Hill, where Trudeau was joined by Immigration Minister Marc Miller and Miller's parliamentary secretary, Paul Chiang.
According to the Canada-based media outlet, Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC), the government has set a target of reducing the number of permanent residents to between 395,000 and 380,000 in 2025 and between 395,000 and 380,000 in 2026. The government has also set a goal of admitting 365,000 permanent residents in 2027.
Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Marc Miller, also posted on social media about the reduction in immigration targets, stating, "Today, we announced the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan. Immigration is crucial for our country's economic prosperity and growth. In response to the changing needs of our nation, this plan will pause population growth in the short term to achieve well-managed, sustainable growth."
In another statement, Miller wrote, "This significant reduction in immigration targets will lead to a decrease in population and reduce the necessity for additional housing construction."
Trudeau is currently facing increasing pressure from within his own party, with a group of Liberal Members of Parliament issuing an ultimatum to him by October 28, demanding his resignation.
In response, Trudeau has indicated his intention to lead his Liberal Party into the next election, despite the calls for his resignation from two dozen of his colleagues.
Liberal Member of Parliament, Sean Casey, who was among the three caucus members to confirm their signatures on the document requesting Trudeau's resignation, expressed disappointment in his decision to remain as leader, stating, "disappointing."
During a caucus meeting on Wednesday, a document was presented that outlined the case for Trudeau's resignation, although it did not outline any consequences for failing to meet the deadline.
