OTTAWA – In a pre-budget address delivered last week, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the forthcoming federal budget will incorporate what he referred to as “Canada’s new immigration plan.” However, officials from the immigration department have expressed uncertainty regarding whether this mention includes the crucial annual levels plan, which details the number of permanent residents Canada intends to welcome in the upcoming year.
The immigration levels plan is mandated by law to be presented in Parliament by November 1. This requirement is part of ensuring transparency and accountability in the government's immigration strategy. Despite the approaching deadline, Daniel Bernhard, the CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, indicated that he has received information from government officials stating that the immigration department remains unsure about the timing of the levels plan's tabling.
Further corroborating this uncertainty, a government official provided the same insights to The Canadian Press, emphasizing a lack of clarity regarding the upcoming immigration levels plan. This situation has raised questions among stakeholders, particularly as the timeline for the budget and levels plan stages appears to overlap.
Prime Minister Carney has articulated the government's wider objectives concerning immigration, asserting a commitment to "getting immigration under control." Specifically, he aims to reduce the proportion of temporary residents within Canada’s population from its current rate of approximately seven percent to five percent by the conclusion of 2026. This goal underscores a shift in immigration policy, reflecting a strategic effort to balance both the intake of new residents and the management of the existing population.
The Canadian Press has made efforts to contact the office of Immigration Minister Lena Diab for further comments and insights regarding this ongoing matter. However, as of now, no response has been received, leaving uncertainties about the government's immigration strategy and its implications for future planning.
This report first emerged on October 29, 2025, highlighting key discussions regarding Canada’s immigration framework. As the federal budget presentation date approaches, stakeholders across various sectors remain watchful for additional updates that may clarify the direction and specifics of the new immigration plan.
The details surrounding Canada’s approach to immigration are pivotal not only for policy-makers but also for communities that will be directly affected by changes in immigration levels. The conversation initiated by Prime Minister Carney serves as a crucial point of reflection regarding how the nation will navigate its demographic and economic goals in the years to come.
