395,000 new permanent residents admitted into Canada last year
Roughly 393,500 permanent residents were admitted into Canada last year, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which the department said aligned with its admissions targets
Roughly 393,500 permanent residents were admitted into Canada last year, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which the department said aligned with its admissions targets.
Data released on Thursday shows the figure is about 2,000 people less than the 395,000 target for 2025.
While Prime Minister Mark Carney promised a reduction in immigration, Ottawa still plans to bring in another 380,000 permanent residents this year, with similar numbers again in 2027.
Following that, the Liberals have pledged to maintain a ratio of permanent resident admissions that remains below one per cent of the population.
“To support a return to sustainable immigration levels, the Government is committed to reducing Canada’s temporary population to less than 5 per cent of the total population by the end of 2027,” writes the IRCC. “Targets for new temporary resident arrivals are set at 385,000 in 2026 and 370,000 in 2027 and 2028.”
“Overall permanent resident admissions will stabilize at 380,000 from 2026 to 2028. As supporting the Canadian economy continues to be a key priority, the economic category represents the largest proportion of admissions each year, reaching 64 per cent in 2027 and 2028.”
The IRCC said Ottawa is implementing a one-time initiative over the next two years to “streamline the transition of approximately 115,000 Protected Persons in Canada who are already on a pathway to permanent residence and in alignment with their protected status under domestic and international law.”
However, these admissions are in addition to the permanent resident targets identified above.
Protected persons are permitted to remain in Canada as long as they maintain this status, unlike temporary residents such as workers or students who come to Canada “on time-bound temporary permits.”
“Prioritizing their admissions as permanent residents over the next two years will ensure that those in genuine need of Canada’s protection have their permanent status recognized, accelerating their full integration into the Canadian society and their path to citizenship, and upholding Canada’s international humanitarian obligations,” said the department.
Additionally, Ottawa intends to “accelerate the transition of up to 33,000 temporary workers to permanent residency” over this year and in 2027 for those who are paying taxes.