A report by the Parliamentary Budget Officer indicates that Canada's non-permanent resident population is set to decline, aligning with the government's target of less than 5% by 2027.
A recent report from the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) highlights that Canada is on track to achieve its goal of reducing the non-permanent resident (NPR) population to under 5% of its total population by the end of 2027. This comes as part of Ottawa's broader immigration strategy, which has seen a significant reduction in arrival targets, particularly impacting international students. This downward trend in non-permanent residency has been in effect since 2024 and is reflected in the government's immigration levels plan.
The PBO's report, titled 'Demographic Implications of the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan', outlines the projections that the NPR share, which peaked at 7.6% in 2024, is expected to decrease steadily. The planned reduction aligns with the government's commitment to not only curb the growth of non-permanent residents but also to manage the demographic changes in Canada more effectively. This reflects ongoing debates within the country regarding the immigration system and its capacity to accommodate various categories of residents while ensuring social and economic stability.
The anticipated decline in the NPR population is likely to have broader implications for sectors reliant on international students and other temporary residents, potentially affecting educational institutions and labor markets across Canada. Stakeholders in these areas may need to respond to shifts in funding and resource allocation as the government implements these changes in its immigration policy, which remain a key topic of discussion among policymakers, educators, and business leaders alike.
