Federal government aiming to shrink temporary residents' share of population by 2027

Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Thursday the federal government is looking to shrink temporary residents' share of Canada's population over the next three years.

Miller said temporary residents made up 6.2 per cent of Canada's population in 2023 and the government is working to reduce that share to 5 per cent by 2027.

To that end, Ottawa will for the first time include temporary residents in its annual immigration levels plan, which is expected to be released in the fall.

Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada will be conducting a review of the government's temporary work permit programs in an effort to «better align with labour market needs,» Miller said.

The government announced a two-year cap on international student permits in January.

Miller said he will convene a meeting with his provincial and territorial counterparts in May to discuss the five per cent reduction target.