New permanent residents down 20% in Canada as Indian arrivals nearly halve

Canada welcomed 20% fewer new permanent residents in the past year, with nearly half of the decline coming from India, according to latest federal data. The drop marks the first significant slowdown in a decade of rising immigration numbers and reflects tighter government policies aimed at managing population growth. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada reports that about 405,000 new permanent residents were admitted in 2024, down from 506,000 the previous year. The number of Indian nationals gaining permanent residency fell by roughly 45%, accounting for roughly half of the overall decline. Other major source countries such as the Philippines and Nigeria also saw smaller reductions. The changes come after Ottawa introduced caps on international student permits, tightened eligibility for temporary foreign workers, and reduced permanent residency targets for 2025-2027. The government has said these measures are needed to ease pressure on housing, healthcare, and infrastructure, which have struggled to keep pace with rapid population growth. Critics, however, warn that slamming the door on immigrants could hurt an economy already facing labor shortages in key sectors. For now, immigration advocates say the drop disproportionately affects those who followed the rules and applied through legal channels, leaving many families in limbo. The data also shows that the number of temporary residents – including students and workers – has fallen more sharply, as policy changes take effect. Observers say the full impact on Canada’s workforce and demographic profile will not be clear for another year, as backlogged applications are processed and new caps take hold.