What’s the Latest: Budget 2026 to include update on immigration levels, sources say
The Canadian government plans to include an annual immigration levels update in its federal budget, which will be released on Thursday. The update follows a federal commitment to manage population growth more sustainably and is occurring amidst criticisms from Conservatives regarding a new Liberal immigration policy starting on November 3.
The federal budget, set to be released on Thursday, will include an update on Canada‘s immigration levels, marking the second consecutive year this information has been included. The annual update will be published after the legally mandated deadline of November 1, as stipulated by the Immigration and Refugees Protection Act.
The Canadian government is set to include an update on immigration levels in the federal budget to be released on Thursday. Prime Minister Mark Carney has stated that while immigration is under control, the focus will now shift towards a “controlled increase” in population, amid criticisms from Conservatives regarding the impact of recent policy changes on Canadian workers.
What remains unclear — The government has not specified when it plans to initiate a “controlled increase” in population.
Budget 2026 to feature update on immigration levels, sources confirm
The upcoming federal budget for 2026 will include an update on Canada’s immigration levels, according to a government source. This marks the second consecutive year that such an update will be part of the budget document.
Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that immigration has been stabilised and highlighted the need for a “controlled increase” in population moving forward. “The question is now about when Canada should begin this approach,” he said in an interview with the New York Times. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne expressed concerns about the previous rate of immigration, claiming it exceeded the capacity of public services and communities.
Champagne emphasised the need for a balanced approach, stating, “You need to welcome people to Canada, but on a level that allows you to provide the basic services or the infrastructure that can support the people coming into our shore,” during a speech at the Canadian Club of Ottawa.
Current plans allow for the admission of 380,000 permanent residents per year, with additional one-time programmes planned for another 140,000 temporary residents through 2026 and 2027. The previous Liberal administration had aimed to increase permanent residency to 500,000 annually; however, the Carney government has cited rapid population growth as a factor in the rising cost of living and housing crisis.
The annual immigration levels update, required by the Immigration and Refugees Protection Act to be tabled by November 1, will be published after this legally mandated deadline. Statistics Canada currently estimates the non-permanent resident population at 6.7% of the total population, with an official target set to reduce this figure to 5%.
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