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On November 4, 2025, the government of Canada published its Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration. The report highlights key data regarding Canadian immigration from the preceding year. On the same day, the federal government also presented its proposed budget for immigration as part of its budget plan for 2026-2028.
Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration
As per this year’s Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration, in 2024, Canada welcomed 905,440 temporary residents who began working on new work permits, representing a 4.3% decrease from 2023. Of these individuals, 191,630 held new work permits under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), and 717,405 held new work permits under the International Mobility Program (IMP).
Regarding permanent residence, in 2024, Canada admitted 483,640 individuals as permanent residents, representing a 2.3% increase from 2023. The majority of permanent resident admissions derived from the economic immigration class, accounting for 58.2% of all admissions in 2024.
New immigration levels plan for 2026-2028
In an effort to put Canada on a trajectory back to “sustainable immigration levels” for 2026, the federal government has reduced immigration targets for permanent and temporary residence.
Through the 2026-2028 Levels Plan, the federal government aims to restore “control, clarity, and consistency” within the Canadian immigration system while making compassionate choices and driving economic competitiveness. The Liberals also indicated that they will invest to attract talent “required to drive innovation and growth” in strategic industries.
The federal government’s new targets aim to keep permanent resident arrivals at less than one per cent of Canada’s population beyond 2027. Permanent resident admission targets will therefore be reduced from 395,000 in 2025 to 380,000 per year between 2026-2028.
As for temporary residents, arrival levels will be reduced to less than five per cent of Canada’s population by the end of 2027. With a fiscal cost of $168.2 million over four years, the plan significantly reduces the target for new temporary resident admissions by 43% from 673,650 in 2025 down to 385,000 in 2026 and 370,000 in 2027 and 2028.
Accelerated measure to permanent residency for work permit holders
To complement the broader objectives of the 2026-2028 Levels Plan, the government has announced a one-time measure to accelerate the transition of up to 33,000 temporary workers to permanent residency throughout 2026 and 2027. The fiscal cost of this proposed measure is $19.4 million over four years and will focus on workers who have already established strong roots in their communities, pay taxes, and help to build the Canadian economy.
At present time, the federal government has not provided any further information on this accelerated measure or how it will be processed and enforced.
Accelerated pathway for H-1B Visa holders
The government has also announced an upcoming accelerated pathway for H-1B visa holders in order to strengthen Canada’s innovation ecosystem, address labour shortages, and attract talent in key sectors such as healthcare, research, and advanced industries. The government has not provided further information regarding the details of this accelerated pathway at present time.
Quebec’s Immigration Plan for 2026-2029
On November 6, 2025, the Minister of Immigration, Francisation and Integration presented Quebec’s immigration plan for 2026-2029, which places focus on regionalization, the French language and balancing socioeconomic needs with Quebec’s capacity to integrate immigrants.
The Quebec government seeks to permanently admit 45,000 immigrants into Quebec in 2026, a reduction from the 61,000 permanent residents expected to be admitted in 2025.
Regarding temporary immigration to Quebec, it plans to temporarily admit between 84,000 to 124, 200 people in 2026, with a focus on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the International Student Program.
Quebec further announced complementary measures to their immigration plan including the official cancellation of the Programme de l’expérience québecoise (PEQ) as of November 19, 2025. This means that the only option for permanent selection of skilled workers in Quebec is the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ), as of the date of this bulletin.
As we have throughout the years, the Gomberg Dalfen team will continue to keep you updated about recent and new developments in Canadian immigration law.