Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced significant changes to Canada’s immigration policies, revealing plans to cut immigration numbers starting in 2025. The move comes in response to rising public concern over housing prices and the growing influx of immigrants.

In a tweet on Wednesday, Trudeau stated, “We’re going to have fewer temporary foreign workers in Canada. We’re bringing in stricter rules for companies to prove why they can’t hire Canadian workers first.” This policy shift aims to make it more challenging for immigrants to secure jobs and settle in Canada.

This announcement follows a recent decision to reduce the number of study permits for international students by 35% this year, with an additional 10% cut expected in 2025. According to government sources, Canada plans to issue approximately 437,000 study permits in 2025, down from 485,000 in 2024.

The overall number of new immigrants is projected to decrease by around 30,000, bringing the total to approximately 300,000 in 2025. This marks a significant reduction from the 485,000 immigrants welcomed in 2023.

The Trudeau government has faced mounting pressure from Canadians grappling with a housing crisis exacerbated by rising interest rates and a record population increase due to immigration. Polls indicate a growing sentiment among the public that Canada is accepting too many immigrants, an issue likely to dominate discussions as the country approaches a federal election before October 2025.

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As part of the new immigration strategy, the government plans to grant 395,000 new permanent resident visas in 2025, followed by 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027.