Canada Advances Plans for Sustainable Immigration Levels and Economic Pathways

Key Point  

• Federal, provincial and territorial ministers in Canada are aligning on upcoming immigration levels, economic pathways and reforms to support a more sustainable and workforce-driven system. 

Plans for Sustainable Immigration Levels and Economic Pathways 

On June 23, 2026, Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial immigration ministers met to discuss priorities for the 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan and broader system reforms. The discussions focused on balancing immigration levels with economic needs, labor market demands and long-term system sustainability.  

Shift Toward Sustainable Immigration Levels 

Ministers emphasized the need to stabilize immigration volumes while maintaining economic benefits. Key federal targets include: 

• Keeping permanent resident admissions below 1% of the total population beyond 2027 
• Reducing the temporary resident population to below 5% by the end of 2027 

Focus on Economic Immigration Programs 

Ministers highlighted the importance of aligning immigration with labor market needs, including: 

• Strengthening the role of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) 
• Enhancing regional programs such as the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) 
• Improving Express Entry to better address regional and sector-specific workforce gaps 

Provinces and territories called for stable and increased PNP allocations to better select talent aligned with local economic priorities.  

Supporting Transitions to Permanent Residence 

A key priority is improving pathways for temporary residents already in Canada, including foreign workers and international students, to transition to permanent residence.  

Ministers also discussed aligning programs to support long-term retention and integration of skilled talent across regions.  

Streamlining Processes and Reducing Barriers 

Proposed efforts include: 

• Modernizing immigration processes and reducing duplication in candidate selection 
• Improving foreign credential recognition to support faster workforce integration 
• Enhancing coordination across federal and regional programs  

International Students and Workforce Alignment 

Ministers also committed to shaping the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program to better align with regional labour market needs, reinforcing the role of international students in Canada’s long-term workforce strategy.

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