Canada has spent the past few years tightening its immigration rules and reducing the number of newcomers. But could that approach be about to change?
Prime Minister Mark Carney has suggested that the country may soon be ready to welcome more people again, although any increase would happen gradually.
Speaking to The New York Times, in an interview covered by The Canadian Press on September 29, 2026, Carney indicated that Canada’s immigration system was now under better control.
His comments raise an important question for anyone hoping to move to Canada: Could more immigration opportunities be coming?
What Did Carney Actually Say About Immigration?
Carney believes Canada’s efforts to manage immigration numbers have brought the situation under greater control. The government can now begin considering the right time to allow population growth to pick up again.
That’s quite different from the approach Canadians have seen recently.
Following the rapid population expansion after the pandemic, Ottawa introduced tighter limits to slow the arrival of newcomers. Much of that effort focused on people entering Canada through study permits and temporary employment programs.
Now, the conversation appears to be shifting toward what should happen after those reductions.
But here’s the important part: Carney hasn’t announced any new admission targets.
For the moment, the existing immigration plan remains in place. Any official changes would need to appear in the government’s next planning announcement.
Where Do Canada’s Immigration Numbers Stand?
Canada’s current immigration strategy covers 2026 through 2028. Introduced on November 5, 2025, it aims to keep permanent immigration steady while reducing new temporary arrivals.
Here’s what the existing targets look like:
| Immigration Category | Current Target |
| Permanent residents, 2026 | 380,000 |
| Permanent residents, 2027 | 380,000 |
| Permanent residents, 2028 | 380,000 |
| Economic immigrants, 2026 | 239,800 |
| Family sponsorship admissions, 2026 | 84,000 |
| Refugees and protected persons, 2026 | 49,300 |
| New temporary arrivals, 2026 | 385,000 |
| New temporary arrivals, 2027 and 2028 | 370,000 annually |
One major objective is to bring the proportion of temporary residents below 5% of Canada’s population before the end of 2027.
The government has also outlined special arrangements for people already living in the country.
These include a pathway intended to help around 115,000 people with protected status secure permanent residence. Another measure could enable as many as 33,000 existing temporary workers to make that transition.
Rather than focusing entirely on bringing in people from abroad, these initiatives also address the future of eligible residents already in Canada.
