IRCC Opens Public Consultation on Canada’s Next Immigration Levels Plan
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canadahas officially opened its annual public consultation process to help shape Canada’s Next Immigration Levels Plan for 2027–2029. The consultation is open from May 12 to June 14, 2026, and invites feedback from individuals, organizations, employers, temporary residents, international students, and prospective immigrants both inside and outside Canada.
The consultation is part of the federal government’s yearly process for determining immigration targets and priorities over a three-year period. Through this initiative, IRCC gathers feedback from the public before finalizing the next Canada Immigration Levels Plan, which is expected to be released later this year.
What Is Canada’s Next Immigration Levels Plan?
Canada’s Next Immigration Levels Plan is the federal government’s framework for setting immigration targets across different categories, including:
- Permanent residents
- Temporary foreign workers
- International students
- Refugees and protected persons
- Economic immigration programs
- Family sponsorship programs
The plan helps determine how many newcomers Canada intends to welcome over the next three years while balancing economic growth, labor market needs, housing availability, healthcare capacity, and settlement services.
The upcoming 2027–2029 plan will build on the current 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, which introduced lower targets for temporary residents and more moderate permanent resident admissions.
Public Consultation in Canada: What the Survey Includes
This year’s Public Consultation in Canada differs from previous consultations because it focuses more heavily on open-ended responses rather than multiple-choice questions.
IRCC is asking participants to provide detailed feedback on several key areas related to immigration policy and future immigration levels.
Main Topics Included in the Consultation
The survey asks respondents about:
- How recent reductions to temporary and permanent resident targets have affected their communities or industries
- What changes should be made to future immigration levels and why
- Regional or demographic trends that should be considered when setting future targets
- Long-term priorities for Canada’s immigration system
- Challenges or barriers that affect immigration and newcomer settlement
The consultation also includes demographic questions to help IRCC understand who is participating in the survey. Participants may be asked about:
- Their immigration status
- Whether they live inside or outside Canada
- Their province or territory
- Their industry or occupation
- Whether they are responding on behalf of an organization
Current Immigration Targets Under the Canada Immigration Levels Plan
The current Canada Immigration Levels Plan introduced several notable policy directions that are expected to influence the upcoming 2027–2029 framework.
The federal government previously announced plans to:
- Reduce the temporary resident population to below 5% of Canada’s population by the end of 2027
- Keep permanent resident admissions below 1% of Canada’s population after 2027
- Increase Francophone permanent resident admissions outside Quebec to 12% by 2029
For 2027, the proposed targets under the current plan include:
- 220,000 worker arrivals
- 150,000 international student arrivals
- 380,000 permanent resident admissions
The permanent resident target also includes a planned increase in French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec.
Although the current consultation does not directly ask participants whether these numerical targets should increase or decrease, feedback collected through the survey may still influence future adjustments.
Why IRCC Is Reviewing Immigration Levels
Canada significantly increased immigration levels in recent years to address labor shortages and support economic recovery following the pandemic.
However, rapid population growth also increased pressure on several areas, including:
- Housing affordability
- Rental availability
- Healthcare systems
- Public infrastructure
- Transportation systems
- Educational institutions
As a result, the federal government has shifted toward a more balanced immigration approach focused on sustainable population growth and improved settlement capacity.
The consultation aims to help IRCC understand how these policy changes are affecting communities, employers, newcomers, and the overall economy.
Differences Between Public and Organizational Feedback
Previous consultation results revealed a significant divide between individual respondents and organizational stakeholders regarding immigration targets.
Organizational Responses
Businesses, educational institutions, settlement agencies, and industry groups generally supported maintaining or increasing immigration levels.
Many organizations argued that Canada continues to face labor shortages in areas such as:
- Healthcare
- Skilled trades
- Technology
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Transportation
Organizations also emphasized the economic benefits of immigration and the importance of attracting international talent.
Individual Responses
In contrast, many individual respondents believed immigration targets were too high.
Public concerns frequently focused on:
- Housing affordability
- Rising cost of living
- Competition for jobsl,
- Infrastructure strain
- Healthcare access
According to previous consultation reports, more than 75% of individual respondents believed permanent resident and temporary resident targets were too high, while many organizations considered the same targets too low.
How Consultation Results Influence Immigration Policy
IRCC states that public consultations are one of several factors considered when developing the final Immigration Levels Plan.
Other factors include:
- Economic forecasts
- Labor market data
- Provincial and territorial input
- Public opinion research
- Infrastructure capacity
- Government priorities
Although consultation feedback does not directly determine immigration targets, large participation levels may increase the influence of public opinion within the policy development process.
In 2025, IRCC received more than 18,000 responses from individuals and hundreds of responses from organizations and stakeholders.
Potential Areas of Future Immigration Policy Changes
Based on recent policy directions and consultation themes, several areas could continue evolving under the next immigration plan.
International Student Programs
Canada has already introduced measures to reduce international student volumes and strengthen oversight of educational institutions.
Future policy adjustments may focus on:
- Study permit caps
- Housing availability
- Institutional compliance
- Post-graduation work opportunities
Temporary Foreign Worker Programs
The government may continue prioritizing sectors with severe labor shortages while reducing reliance on temporary migration streams in other areas.
Permanent Residence Pathways
Future permanent residence priorities may increasingly favor:
- Healthcare professionals
- Skilled trades workers
- French-speaking applicants
- STEM occupations
- Applicants with Canadian work experience
Importance of Participating in the Consultation
The consultation provides an opportunity for the public to share perspectives on how immigration policies affect communities, industries, and newcomers.
Participation may be particularly important for:
- Temporary residents currently in Canada
- International students
- Prospective immigrants
- Employers facing labor shortages
- Settlement organizations
- Rural and regional communities
The feedback collected may help shape future immigration priorities and settlement strategies.
Immigration Support and Guidance
As Canada’s immigration policies continue evolving, many applicants seek professional guidance to better understand available pathways and policy changes.
Foothills Immigration provides Canadian immigration services and assistance for individuals applying through programs such as:
- Express Entry
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
- Study permits
- Work permits
- Visitor visas
- Family sponsorship
- Permanent residence applications
Professional guidance may help applicants stay informed about changes to the Canada Immigration Levels Plan and understand how evolving immigration policies could affect their applications.
