CIMM – Minister’s Opening Statement– November 25, 2024

Thank you, Chair.

I would like to begin by acknowledging that we are meeting on the traditional, unceded territories of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg People.

I am here today with my officials to discuss the work we’re doing to strengthen our immigration system, through both our 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan and the Supplementary Estimates B.

Immigration has shaped Canada and remains central to our future. Our nation’s growth, prosperity and diversity depend on a well-managed immigration system. For generations, we’ve welcomed newcomers, valuing their skills, innovations and contributions to building strong communities.

In response to the global pandemic and labour shortages, we implemented temporary measures to attract some of the world’s best and brightest to study and work in Canada. These measures helped us navigate a challenging period, avoid a recession and accelerate our recovery.

Today, Canada’s economy has evolved. While newcomers remain essential to our economy—filling critical roles in health care, trades and other sectors—we recognize the need to pause population growth and return it to pre‑pandemic projections.

That is why we have taken a comprehensive approach to protecting the integrity of our immigration system and ensuring sustainable growth.

For the first time, Canada’s immigration levels plan includes targets for temporary residents, such as international students and temporary foreign workers, alongside permanent residents. This approach balances economic needs while addressing pressures on housing, infrastructure and social services.

We are adjusting our permanent resident targets to 395,000 in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027.

Our levels plan builds on recent reforms. For international students, we’ve introduced annual caps, required the verification of letters of acceptance and tightened access to post‑graduation work permits.

These measures are already showing results, with international student numbers down 43% from 2023, and high-demand areas like Vancouver and Toronto beginning to see reductions in rental prices.

Our new plan prioritizes people with Canadian experience. We’re aiming for over 40% of new permanent residents to come from temporary residents already contributing to Canada. This focus aligns with labour market needs while easing pressures on housing and social services.

The revised targets are expected to reduce the housing supply gap by about 670,000 units by the end of 2027.

While Canada’s economic needs are important, we remain committed to our humanitarian tradition of helping some of the world’s most vulnerable people. We also remain committed to reuniting families, dedicating nearly 24 per cent of permanent resident admissions in 2025 to that purpose.

We are continuing our efforts to promote the development of Francophone communities outside Quebec. The target for French-speaking permanent residents will be 8.5 per cent of total admissions in 2025, then 9.5 per cent in 2026, rising to 10 per cent in 2027.

I want Canadians to know we are listening. We understand the challenges our country faces and are addressing them. Our goal is to make immigration work for everyone—ensuring newcomers and Canadians alike can access quality jobs, housing and community supports.

Turning to the supplementary estimates, I want to highlight key measures tabled last week:

1. We know that Quebec is facing disproportionate pressures in welcoming asylum seekers. We’ve allocated $750 million to reimburse Quebec. Ninety-one per cent of that is in the Supplementary Estimates B.
2. Through the Interim Housing Assistance Program, we’re reimbursing provinces, territories and municipalities for providing housing to asylum seekers, especially during the winter months.
3. Through the Interim Federal Health Program, we are providing necessary health care to refugees and asylum seekers until they are eligible for provincial or territorial coverage.

Thank you. I am happy to take your questions.