OTTAWA, Canada — Canada’s federal government will include its annual immigration levels update in the 2026 federal budget scheduled for Thursday, November 5, as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s administration prepares to outline its next steps for managing permanent and temporary immigration.
A government source familiar with the plans confirmed that the updated immigration figures would be included in the budget document. This will be the second consecutive year that Canada’s annual immigration levels update has been incorporated into the federal budget.
The announcement comes amid continued debate over population growth, housing affordability, labour shortages and pressure on public services. The government has maintained that immigration levels must remain sustainable while ensuring Canadian businesses can access the workers and skills they need.
Government Reviews Permanent and Temporary Immigration Targets
Under Canada’s existing 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, the government intends to stabilize permanent resident admissions at 380,000 annually from 2026 through 2028.
The current plan also establishes targets for new temporary resident arrivals, including international students and temporary foreign workers.
The targets are 385,000 new temporary residents in 2026 and 370,000 annually in 2027 and 2028. These figures cover new arrivals under specified worker and international student programs rather than every category of temporary entry into Canada.
The November update is expected to provide revised targets and further details about the government’s approach to managing immigration in the coming years. However, the government has not yet confirmed whether permanent or temporary admission targets will increase, decrease or remain unchanged.
Carney Government Seeks to Reduce Temporary Resident Population
One of the government’s central immigration objectives is to reduce temporary residents to less than five per cent of Canada’s total population by the end of 2027.
Statistics Canada’s estimates put the non-permanent resident population at approximately 6.7 per cent as of July 1, 2026, indicating that further reductions will be necessary to meet the target.
The government has argued that rapid population growth in recent years placed additional pressure on housing, healthcare, infrastructure and other public services.
Prime Minister Carney has also indicated that Canada could eventually consider a controlled increase in population once immigration levels and the country’s capacity to accommodate newcomers are better aligned.
In September, Carney told The New York Times that the discussion was shifting toward when Canada could begin such a controlled increase. However, he did not provide a specific timetable.
Special Programs to Give Temporary Residents Permanent Status
Alongside the broader immigration targets, the federal government has introduced two temporary initiatives intended to help certain people already living in Canada obtain permanent residency.
One program aims to transition approximately 115,000 protected persons to permanent resident status over 2026 and 2027.
The second initiative is designed to provide permanent residency to up to 33,000 temporary workers who have established themselves in Canadian communities and are employed in sectors with labour needs.
Together, these initiatives account for approximately 148,000 potential permanent residency transitions over two years. They are additional to the broader annual permanent resident admission targets.
The programs reflect the government’s intention to retain some people already contributing to the Canadian economy while reducing reliance on continually bringing in large numbers of new temporary residents.
Finance Minister Says Immigration Must Match Canada’s Capacity
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne has defended the government’s efforts to bring immigration levels to what he considers more sustainable levels.
Speaking at a pre-budget event in Ottawa on Monday, Champagne said Canada must welcome newcomers at a pace that allows the country to provide essential services and build the infrastructure needed to support population growth.
He also argued that Canada had relied too heavily on an expanding population to drive economic growth rather than placing greater emphasis on productivity among workers and businesses.
His comments come as the government prepares its November 5 budget, which is expected to address broader economic priorities alongside the immigration update.
Immigration Update Arrives After Legislative Deadline
The timing of the announcement has also attracted attention because the annual immigration levels report was due by November 1 under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, provided Parliament was sitting.
Including the update in the November 5 budget means the government will publish it after that statutory deadline.
The immigration announcement will be closely watched by prospective immigrants, international students, temporary foreign workers, employers and provincial governments.
For people planning to move to Canada, the updated figures could provide important information about future admission opportunities and the government’s immigration priorities.
However, until the budget is tabled and the new figures are officially released, applicants should not assume that existing immigration targets or eligibility requirements have changed.
The November 5 announcement is expected to clarify how the Carney government intends to balance population growth, economic needs and pressure on public services as Canada moves into the next phase of its immigration policy.
Swifteradio.com
