Immigration to Canada surged under Justin Trudeau’s Liberals, with new arrivals hitting 5% of the population by 2024, up from 1.5% in 2000. But the big shift? A sharp rise in temporary residents, including international students and work permit holders, now accounts for over 40% of newcomers.
Policies like the Global Skills Strategy and relaxed study-to-PR pathways fueled the boom. While many immigrants are more educated and job-ready than before, pressure on housing and public services has forced a rethink.
Ottawa now plans to trim both permanent and temporary immigration through 2027. Canada’s challenge ahead? Balancing economic growth, labour needs, and affordability while maintaining a sustainable immigration system.
