Poilievre Demands Strict Immigration Limits in Canada

Photo : Reuters

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is asking for a much tougher immigration policy in Canada. At a press conference in Ottawa on Monday, he said he wants "very hard caps" on the number of people allowed to enter the country. He believes that Canada is currently bringing in too many newcomers too quickly, and the country is not able to keep up.

According to Poilievre, more people should leave the country than enter, at least for the next few years. He explained that millions of people with temporary permits will have to leave soon anyway, and that this is a chance to reduce the pressure on housing, jobs, and public services.

What Did Poilievre Say?

“We need more people leaving than coming for the next couple years,” Poilievre told reporters. He argued that the country cannot properly support and integrate new immigrants at the current pace.

He also repeated his claim that the immigration system is “broken,” and that the government must "restore order" by lowering the number of international students and foreign workers allowed into the country.

He said that Prime Minister Mark Carney should go even further and bring in “negative net migration,” meaning the total number of people entering Canada would be less than the number of people leaving.

The Numbers Behind Canada’s Immigration Boom

In recent years, Canada’s population has grown rapidly. Between 2020 and 2024, it increased by about 3.6 million people. Much of this growth came from non-permanent residents, such as:

• International students

• Temporary foreign workers

• Refugees and other short-term visa holders

In 2022 and 2023, the population grew by 2.5% and 3.1% each year — double or even triple the normal rate, according to Statistics Canada.

The fast growth has caused some problems in many cities and towns. These include:

• A shortage of rental homes

• Higher housing prices

• Rising unemployment, especially among young people and immigrants

• Longer wait times in hospitals and clinics

What Has the Government Done?

Because of these problems, the federal government recently made changes. They have already reduced the number of student visas and cut back on foreign worker permits. The goal is to cap the number of non-permanent residents to 5% of Canada’s population by 2027.

Right now, there are about 3 million non-permanent residents, which is 7.5% of the population. Reducing this number to 5% would mean fewer international students and fewer permits for businesses to hire workers from abroad.

This plan was introduced under the new Prime Minister Mark Carney, who took over after the last election.

What Is Poilievre Asking For?

Pierre Poilievre says the government’s changes are not enough. He wants stronger action, including:

• Hard caps on the number of people allowed to enter

• A focus on reducing the total number of immigrants

• A system that puts Canadians and their needs first

He added, “Our immigration policy should invite the right people in the right numbers in a way that puts Canada and Canadians first.”

Poilievre believes that Canada should control immigration carefully, and not allow it to grow faster than the country can handle. At a speech during the Calgary Stampede earlier this month, he said that the current approach is like a “failed experiment with open borders.”

Is Canada Really an "Open Border" Country?

Experts say Canada does not have open borders. While the number of people coming in has increased, there are still strict laws and screening processes for newcomers. The system includes background checks, application reviews, and immigration limits — but it has grown fast due to:

• Canada’s aging population

• A need for more workers in key industries

• Students wanting to study in Canadian colleges and universities

What Comes Next?

The debate over immigration in Canada is not new, but it is getting more attention now. With high rent, job struggles, and pressure on healthcare, many Canadians are asking how many newcomers the country can handle.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says his government will continue to reduce numbers slowly and carefully over the next few years. But Poilievre and the Conservative Party are pushing for quicker, stronger changes, including cutting immigration numbers sharply and possibly reducing the population growth altogether.

This issue is likely to remain at the center of political debate in Canada, as the country tries to balance economic needs, housing supply, and public services with its long-standing tradition of welcoming newcomers.