Recent online discussions have circulated claims regarding a chart that supposedly depicts work and study permit holders in Canada since 2000, asserting that the country has "imported" 36 percent of its population—amounting to over 15 million people—in the last decade. However, these interpretations are misleading and misrepresent the actual data. The chart shows the total number of active permit holders at the end of each year rather than the number of new permits issued annually.
The claim was notably circulated by a user on the X platform (formerly Twitter), who stated, “This official government of Canada chart shows that 15,690,460 (15 million!!!!) people have entered Canada since the Liberals were elected in 2015.” Accompanied by a bar chart indicating the rise in permit holders from 234,120 in 2000 to an estimated 3,125,165 by 2024, the post gained millions of views and was further amplified by Elon Musk, who simply commented "Wow" on the chart.
Analyzing the facts reveals significant flaws in the interpretation of the data. The chart in question originates from the "Canadian Immigration Statistics" website, which is a non-governmental project aimed at making publicly available data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) more accessible. The numbers reflect all active Temporary Foreign Worker, International Mobility Program, and study permit holders, but do not indicate the number of new permits issued each year. As many permits can last several years and be extended, the chart does not accurately depict new entries into Canada.
For instance, study permits are generally issued for the duration of a study program plus an additional 90 days, and some streams of the International Mobility Program allow for work permits of up to three years. Consequently, the total count of permit holders each year may include individuals who have held a permit for multiple years, thus overstating the actual number of people entering Canada.
Statistics Canada has provided clearer insights that contradict the claims of a 36.5 percent increase in Canada’s population from external sources over the past ten years. According to their estimates, Canada’s population was approximately 35,852,000 on July 1, 2015, and is projected to reach about 41,548,787 by April 1, 2025. This corresponds to an increase of roughly 16 percent or around 5.7 million people, rather than the claimed figure of 15 million.
From 2015 to 2024, net migration in Canada totaled approximately 5,271,606, comprising immigrants plus net non-permanent residents minus net emigration, which is significantly lower than the 15 million figure mentioned in the posts. Additionally, previous reports have shown that international migration accounted for about 61 percent of the population growth in Canada during 2015, a trend that has continued into 2025.
It is important to note the significant increase in non-permanent residents, including foreign workers and international students, in recent years. The number of temporary foreign workers alone saw a rise from 356,000 in 2011 to 845,000 in 2021, with 46 percent of this increase attributed to study permit holders and 47 percent to the International Mobility Program. The current political discourse, particularly from critics such as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and B.C. Premier David Eby, has sparked debates surrounding the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, with calls for its termination based on claims of exploitation and perceived competition with local youth in the job market.
As a response to the growing concerns, the federal government announced measures in October aimed at reducing the number of temporary residents to five percent of the total population by the end of 2026. In tandem, there are plans for implementing a cap on study permits for international students, reflecting an evolving approach to immigration and work in Canada.
