Housing Minister Shaun Fraser and Immigration Minister Mark Miller said the federal government was working to stabilize immigration numbers each year as housing pressures increased.
The Canadian Press on Thursday reported internal documents from 2022 showing immigration officials had warned the deputy minister that a large increase in immigration could impact access to housing and services. .
The federal government ultimately decided to increase the number of permanent residents Canada accepts each year to 500,000 in 2025, nearly double the number in 2015.
In a joint statement released Friday, Liberal ministers defended the decision to raise immigration levels, arguing that immigration has supported Canada’s post-pandemic recovery.
“If we didn’t increase immigration after the pandemic, our economy would have shrunk. Businesses facing severe labor shortages would have closed. Social services that Canadians need, including health care, would have been cut short. This would have resulted in delays or even more difficult access.”
But Miller and Fraser also say housing pressures are forcing the government to adjust its immigration targets, as well as admitting temporary residents.
Mr. Miller decided to keep the number of permanent residents coming to Canada in 2026 at 500,000, the same as in 2025.
The Liberal government also made changes to the international student program to address fraud and cost of living issues.
Liberal ministers said the federal government is prepared to take further action if higher education institutions cannot ensure they meet the housing needs of international students.
“We expect learning institutions to accept only as many students as they can accommodate, or to assist them in finding off-campus housing. We are prepared to take the necessary steps, including significant restrictions on visas, to provide students with adequate support as part of their academic experience.”
