Canada’s immigration surge is slamming into reverse, with permanent resident admissions plunging 20 per cent as study permits and asylum claims tumble in early 2026.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada admitted 83,130 permanent residents between January and March, down from 104,320 a year earlier, according to data analyzed by the Association for Canadian Studies.
Study permits fell 24 per cent and asylum claims plunged 35 per cent, while permanent resident admissions declined for a second consecutive year, the National Post reported.
Association for Canadian Studies president Jack Jedwab said the numbers point to a deliberate government-driven pullback.
“Canada has moved from rapid immigration expansion to a deliberate, government-driven contraction,” Jedwab told the Post.
