Toronto / October 25, 2024
OCASI – Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants is extremely disappointed with the Government of Canada’s deep cuts to 2025 immigration targets, further cuts to follow in 2026 and a lower than expected target for 2027. The cuts are short-sighted, and a misguided and ineffective effort to respond to anti-immigrant public sentiment.
We are particularly alarmed at the low targets set for the humanitarian component of the plan across all categories – including government assisted refugees, protected persons and privately sponsored refugees. This is deeply troubling against the increase in global instability and an increase in the numbers of people fleeing persecution and war. These reductions will put lives at risk and increase wait times for those seeking safety in Canada.
Family reunification numbers are reduced significantly, with the quota for parents and grandparents moving to 24,500 in 2025 and a further 4,000 cut in 2026. This is a blow to Canadian residents who have been waiting years to reunify with family members.
While the government has imposed a quota on temporary residents, there is no plan to provide them with access to permanent residency. OCASI and other migrant rights groups have called on the government to provide permanent resident status on arrival for migrant workers. Instead, the government will continue to cultivate a population of temporary residents without the rights and protections that would be granted by permanent residence - despite the warning from a UN expert that Canada’s migrant worker programs are "a breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery".
The new levels plan does not address the desperate situation of people without immigrant status already in Canada. A broad, inclusive, and equitable immigration status regularization program is an efficient economic solution to address Canada’s ongoing demographic needs and a fair and necessary response to a humanitarian challenge.
We are deeply concerned that the government continues to incorrectly tie immigration numbers to housing pressures. Scapegoating immigrants for the lack of affordable housing is disgraceful, and will only increase anti-immigrant sentiment from politicians and the public. We expect better from the government and leaders of all political parties.
These cuts also contradict the government’s acknowledgement that immigration is essential to Canada’s economic success and growth, and that 100% of Canada’s labour market growth comes from immigration. We call on the government to provide greater clarity on how the new levels plan is expected to resolve the public concerns it claims to address.
The immigrant and refugee-serving sector plays an important role in welcoming refugees, immigrants and migrants and supporting them to build a new life in Canada. As the umbrella organization for the Ontario sector, OCASI is committed to working with the government to build better and more equitable outcomes that will benefit everyone.
See links below for more information
Government of Canada news release on the 2025-27 Immigration Levels Plan