Canadian Immigration Policy Faces Uncertainty
Canada remains one of the most popular migration destinations worldwide, attracting over 85 million people as their top choice in the past decade. Despite this high demand, in 2024—the year with the most admissions on record—Canada accepted only about 480,000 new permanent residents, a small portion of global interest.
Earlier plans aimed to increase immigration levels, but the intake is now expected to decline due to growing pressures on housing and public services. Opposition parties and some public groups have criticized the government's rapid expansion of immigration targets, claiming it surpasses the country's capacity to integrate newcomers.
Unpredictable Immigration System
The core challenge is not the number of immigrants admitted, but the increasing unpredictability of the immigration system. In June 2022, the federal government amended the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to allow greater flexibility in admission criteria.
A new immigration stream was introduced to prioritize in-demand sectors such as health care, engineering, agriculture, and applicants who speak French. This replaced the former system, which used fixed points based on education and skilled work experience, offering applicants a clearer sense of eligibility.
"In the earlier system, fixed points for education and high-skilled work experience provided applicants with a clear way to assess their eligibility. In contrast, the new category-based approach relies on occupational needs that shift rapidly."
This shift to a category-based approach means occupational demands can change quickly, adding uncertainty for potential immigrants and residents alike.
Summary
Canada’s immigration policy, while still attractive globally, has become less predictable due to recent regulatory changes and political challenges, complicating planning for prospective immigrants.