U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Canada’s immigration policies Wednesday, claiming the country is “destroying itself” by admitting large numbers of people who he alleged are not being adequately screened. Canadian federal ministers rejected the characterization, pointing to reduced immigration levels and existing security-screening requirements.
In a social media post, Trump claimed Canada was allowing “millions” of people into the country who were “essentially unchecked and unvetted,” warning that the situation would create increasingly serious problems. Federal government information, however, says foreign nationals are screened for eligibility and admissibility before entering Canada, with immigration officials working alongside agencies including the Canada Border Services Agency, Canadian Security Intelligence Service and RCMP.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand responded to Trump’s comments while attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York, saying Canada has reduced immigration levels since 2024 in an effort to ease pressure on housing and public services. Anand defended immigration’s economic contribution while acknowledging that previous levels had become too high.
Justice Minister Sean Fraser, who previously served as immigration minister, also rejected Trump’s assertion that newcomers are entering Canada without vetting. Government documentation states that immigration applicants undergo admissibility assessments and that security concerns can result in cases being referred for more extensive screening.
The latest population figures also show Canada’s population growth slowing sharply. Statistics Canada reported Wednesday that the population reached approximately 41.8 million on July 1, an increase of 189,425 people, or 0.5 per cent, from a year earlier. That represented the country’s smallest annual population increase in absolute terms since 1944-45 and its lowest percentage growth since 1915-16.
Canada had experienced rapid population growth following the COVID-19 pandemic, driven largely by international migration. Statistics Canada said annual population growth reached 2.8 per cent in 2023-24 before falling to 1.1 per cent in 2024-25 and 0.5 per cent in 2025-26. The estimated number of non-permanent residents stood at about 2.78 million on July 1, 2026, down 0.7 per cent from the previous quarter.
Trump’s immigration comments come amid heightened tensions between Ottawa and Washington following the breakdown of bilateral trade negotiations and the imposition of additional tariffs. The U.S. president has repeatedly criticized Canada in recent weeks, while Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government has sought to deepen economic and diplomatic relationships with Europe and other international partners.
