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OTTAWA — As Alberta continues to lead the country in population growth and employers across multiple sectors search for workers, federal, provincial and territorial immigration ministers are meeting to chart the future of Canada’s immigration system.
The Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration met Monday to discuss the development of Canada’s 2027-2029 Immigration Levels Plan, with a focus on balancing labour market needs, economic growth and sustainable population targets.
Ministers discussed plans to continue reducing immigration levels following a period of rapid population growth and record newcomer arrivals.
The federal government has committed to holding permanent resident admissions below one per cent of Canada’s total population beyond 2027, while reducing the temporary resident population to less than five per cent of the national population by the end of 2027.
Officials said the goal is to restore balance to the immigration system while continuing to address labour shortages and support economic growth.
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said governments are working to ensure immigration remains sustainable while continuing to attract skilled workers needed by Canadian employers.
“Canadians expect their governments to manage migration responsibly, balancing sustainability and system integrity with efforts to attract the best talent in the world,” Diab said in a statement.
A major focus of the discussions centred on Provincial Nominee Programs, which allow provinces and territories to select immigrants based on local labour market needs.
Provincial and territorial ministers argued those programs remain among the most effective tools available to address regional labour shortages, particularly in sectors facing persistent worker shortages.
The ministers called for stable and adequate nominee allocations and requested additional information about how future allocation decisions will be made.
The meeting also examined ways to improve economic immigration programs, including changes to the federal Express Entry system, reducing duplication in candidate selection processes and improving pathways for temporary foreign workers and international students already in Canada to transition to permanent residence.
Ministers agreed continued collaboration will be needed to ensure immigration programs reflect regional labour market realities while supporting newcomer integration.
The discussions also included foreign credential recognition, settlement funding, Francophone immigration outside Quebec and the role international students play in supporting Canada’s economy.
Provincial and territorial representatives emphasized the need for additional settlement resources, including language training and employment supports, to help newcomers successfully integrate into communities across the country.
The meeting comes as provinces including Alberta continue to experience strong population growth, increasing pressure on housing, infrastructure, health care and labour markets while also creating demand for skilled workers across a range of industries.
Ministers concluded the meeting by committing to continue working together on immigration policies and programs aimed at supporting economic growth while maintaining sustainable immigration levels.
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