Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is expected to announce Canada’s new Immigration Levels Plan in November, one of the most closely watched policy updates each year. The plan, covering 2026 to 2028, will set targets for permanent and temporary resident admissions and play a critical role in defining Canada’s population growth strategy, labour market planning, and demographic balance.
The Immigration Levels Plan, mandated under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), establishes the number of permanent residents who can apply or be admitted annually under economic, family, refugee, and humanitarian categories. For the first time last year, the plan also set clear targets for temporary residents, including international students and temporary foreign workers, signaling a broader approach to managing migration. The upcoming plan is expected to build on this framework.
The 2026–2028 plan comes amid significant demographic and policy shifts. The federal government has committed to reducing Canada’s non-permanent resident population by 5% by the end of 2027, while maintaining permanent resident admissions at under 1% of the national population annually after that. By 2029, the government aims for 12% of immigrants to Francophone communities outside Quebec, strengthening linguistic and regional diversity.
Under the rolling multi-year framework, the plan sets firm targets for the first year and indicative ranges for the following two years, allowing for adjustments in response to economic and global developments. The 2025–2027 plan, currently in effect, lowered permanent resident targets to 395,000 in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027, aiming to balance population growth with infrastructure and service capacity. Economic class admissions continue to make up the majority of immigration, projected to reach 62% by 2027, with a strong emphasis on attracting skilled workers in essential sectors such as health care, trades, and technology.
Family reunification remains a key priority, with family class programs accounting for 22% of total permanent resident admissions. Canada also continues its longstanding humanitarian commitments, with 15% of total admissions dedicated to government-assisted refugees and protected persons.
The upcoming announcement is expected to address how Canada will balance permanent and temporary migration amid rising housing pressures, strained public services, and shifting labour market needs. Temporary resident levels — including international students and foreign workers — are being closely scrutinized as the government looks to bring population growth in line with infrastructure capacity, while still supporting economic expansion.
In preparation for the announcement, IRCC has been seeking input from provinces, territories, stakeholders, and the public to shape a sustainable and inclusive immigration system. The goal is to support economic prosperity, promote vibrant and diverse communities, and safeguard the country’s social fabric.
The 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan is likely to be released in November and could signal higher immigration targets than previously forecasted, reflecting both economic priorities and political considerations as Canada navigates demographic transitions in the coming decade.