Prime Minister Mark Carney indicated that Canada will eventually increase immigration levels again. This statement marks a notable change in tone after two years of immigration cuts, offering a glimmer of hope for prospective immigrants, international students, and foreign workers.

The Immigration Levels Plan for 2027 to 2029 is expected in just over a month. Prime Minister Carney recently stated in an interview that immigration levels will eventually be increased again. This statement raises questions about how soon this shift could occur.

Prime Minister Mark Carney stated in a recent interview with The New York Times that Canada's immigration levels will eventually be increased again. He also said Canada will eventually resume a controlled increase in its population.

The 2026 to 2028 Immigration Levels Plan set notional targets for 2027 at 380,000 permanent resident admissions and 370,000 temporary resident arrivals. For 2026, the target for temporary resident arrivals is 385,000, with 155,000 international students and 230,000 temporary workers.

Planned temporary resident arrivals for 2027 are 370,000, including 150,000 international students and 220,000 temporary workers. This represents 15,000 fewer new temporary resident arrivals than currently planned for 2026.

As of Q2 2026, temporary residents made up 6.69 percent of Canada's population. The government is working toward reducing temporary residents to less than five percent of Canada's population by the end of 2027. IRCC is developing the 2027 to 2029 Immigration Levels Plan.

For prospective immigrants, international students, and foreign workers, this statement represents a notable change in tone after two years of immigration cuts. It suggests that the government does not necessarily view lower immigration levels as a permanent direction for Canada. Prime Minister Carney did not provide a timeline for when immigration levels could begin increasing again.

The Immigration Levels Plan for 2027 to 2029 is expected in just over a month. This upcoming plan will confirm or adjust the notional targets for 2027. The new plan will replace the existing one this fall.