September 18: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government is making further efforts to reduce immigration as Canada grapples with the challenges of rapid population growth. Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced on Wednesday that Canada will cut the number of student visas issued in 2025 by 10% compared to this year, following an already reduced intake for 2024. Additionally, the government will limit the number of foreign workers and spouses of master’s students eligible for work permits. This cap will stay in place through 2026, marking a 36% drop from 2023 levels.
Universities Canada has expressed concerns that the country is falling short of its foreign student target for 2023, as fewer international students are applying.
These new measures are part of a broader government strategy to reduce Canada’s temporary resident population, which includes foreign students, temporary workers, and asylum seekers. This group has grown rapidly since the pandemic and has been a focal point of criticism regarding Trudeau’s immigration policies.
While strong immigration has supported Canada’s post-pandemic recovery, adding about three million people over the past three years has intensified pressure on housing and public services, contributing to a decline in Trudeau’s popularity. Earlier this year, Miller set a goal to reduce the share of temporary residents to 5% over the next three years, but that number has since grown from 6.2% to about 6.8%, with the foreign student visa cap being the only significant policy change so far.
