Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially launched its 2026 immigration levels consultations, with the public feedback period running from May 12 to June 14, 2026.
The consultation gives Canadians, newcomers, employers, students, and organizations an opportunity to directly influence the country’s future immigration strategy. Feedback collected through the online survey will help shape Canada’s upcoming 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan, which the federal government is expected to table in Parliament by November 2026.
Book Your Consultation for Canadian Immigration
Under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the immigration minister must present an annual report to Parliament outlining projected permanent resident admissions for the following year. Last year’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan was released shortly after the standard November 1 deadline.
For many people across Canada, the decisions resulting from this consultation could have long-term consequences. Whether it is a family wondering if permanent resident targets will increase, a rural employer struggling with labour shortages, or a French-speaking professional considering relocation to Canada, the next immigration plan may significantly affect future opportunities.
The consultation arrives during a major transition period for Canadian immigration policy.
Last fall, the federal government introduced the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, which lowered targets for temporary residents while stabilizing permanent resident admissions at 380,000 annually.
According to the Government of Canada, the goal is to restore sustainable immigration levels while continuing to address labour shortages, support economic growth, and strengthen communities nationwide.
What The 2026 Consultation Covers
IRCC is currently preparing the 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan, and the public survey is one of the department’s primary tools for gathering feedback.
The survey is open to:
- Individuals responding personally
- Employers and business groups
- Settlement agencies
- Educational institutions
- Municipal governments
- Advocacy organizations
- Industry associations
Participants can submit responses as private individuals, organizational representatives, or individuals connected to organizations while sharing personal opinions.
IRCC says the feedback collected will help improve future immigration policies, programs, and services while guiding immigration level targets over the next three years.
Although IRCC regularly consults provinces, territories, and stakeholders throughout the year, this public survey remains one of the most accessible ways for Canadians and newcomers to directly share their views on immigration policy.
Key Dates
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Consultation Status | Open |
| Start Date | May 12, 2026 |
| End Date | June 14, 2026 |
| Plan Under Development | 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan |
| Expected Release | November 2026 |
| Survey Format | Online |
With only a few weeks available to participate, individuals and organizations interested in contributing should submit responses before the June 14 deadline.
Why These Consultations Matter
The 2026 consultations are more significant than a routine policy review.
Canada is currently rebalancing its immigration system after years of rapid population growth driven largely by temporary resident arrivals.
Under the federal Departmental Plan for 2026, the government committed to:
- Reducing the temporary resident population to below 5% of Canada’s total population by the end of 2027
- Stabilizing permanent resident admissions at less than 1% of Canada’s population after 2027
- Expanding targeted immigration pathways for priority sectors
Several major immigration changes introduced in 2026 have already resulted in significant reductions in study permits and work permits compared to previous years.
Temporary resident arrivals are projected to decline from 673,650 in 2025 to approximately 385,000 in 2026, representing a 43% reduction within one year.
At the same time, Canada continues to prioritize category-based immigration selection through programs like Express Entry, focusing on healthcare workers, skilled trades, French speakers, and other in-demand occupations.
The current consultation allows Canadians to share whether these immigration targets should remain unchanged, increase, decrease, or be restructured entirely.
Canada’s Current Immigration Priorities
The consultation highlights three major commitments already announced by the federal government:
1. Reducing Temporary Resident Numbers
Canada plans to reduce temporary residents to less than 5% of the national population by the end of 2027.
2. Stabilizing Permanent Resident Admissions
The government intends to keep permanent resident admissions below 1% of Canada’s total population after 2027.
3. Increasing Francophone Immigration
Canada aims to increase Francophone immigration outside Quebec to 12% of permanent resident admissions by 2029.
The federal government says it remains committed to balancing immigration growth with housing availability, infrastructure capacity, healthcare access, and public services.
Main Policy Areas Under Review
The consultation seeks feedback on several major immigration priorities:
| Policy Area | Current Direction | What IRCC Is Asking |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary Residents | Reduce levels below 5% of population | Should current reductions continue or change? |
| Permanent Residents | Stabilize admissions after 2027 | Should future targets increase or decrease? |
| Francophone Immigration | Reach 12% by 2029 | Is the target realistic and sufficient? |
| Regional Labour Needs | Support labour shortages | Which regions need more immigration support? |
| Housing & Infrastructure | Align immigration with capacity | How should housing pressures influence targets? |
| Long-Term Planning | No targets beyond 2029 yet | What should Canada’s future immigration strategy look like? |
Key Questions Included In The Survey
IRCC’s survey focuses on five major themes:
Impact Of Current Immigration Reductions
Respondents are asked how lower temporary resident numbers and stable permanent resident targets have affected communities, businesses, and industries.
Recommended Future Changes
Participants can recommend whether immigration levels should increase, decrease, or remain stable between 2027 and 2029.
Regional Challenges And Opportunities
IRCC wants feedback on local labour shortages, demographic pressures, and infrastructure concerns affecting provinces and communities differently across Canada.
Long-Term Immigration Planning Beyond 2029
Respondents can share views on issues such as workforce shortages, aging populations, automation, climate migration, and global talent competition.
Barriers Within Canada’s Immigration System
The survey also asks about challenges such as:
- Processing delays
- Credential recognition issues
- Settlement service gaps
- Application complexity
- Language testing costs
Why Regional Input Matters
Immigration pressures and labour needs vary widely across Canada.
Atlantic provinces continue to rely heavily on immigration to address population decline and labour shortages, while provinces like Ontario and British Columbia face increasing pressure on housing and infrastructure.
Prairie provinces, including Saskatchewan and Manitoba, continue to depend on immigration to support agriculture, manufacturing, and skilled labour sectors.
This consultation allows communities and employers across Canada to directly communicate their specific regional needs to IRCC.
Francophone Immigration Remains A Major Priority
Canada’s goal of reaching 12% Francophone immigration outside Quebec by 2029 reflects the federal government’s broader commitment to strengthening French-speaking communities nationwide.
Recent immigration initiatives and expanded French-language selection programs show that IRCC is actively increasing support for Francophone immigration pathways.
The consultation offers Francophone organizations and communities another opportunity to advocate for stronger support systems and targeted immigration policies.
What Happens After June 14?
Once the consultation period closes, IRCC will review public responses alongside feedback from provinces, territories, stakeholders, and public opinion research.
The finalized 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan is expected to be presented in Parliament before November 1, 2026.
The plan will establish future targets for:
- Economic immigration
- Family sponsorship
- Refugees and humanitarian programs
- Temporary resident arrivals
- Provincial Nominee Programs
- Francophone immigration
The government will ultimately need to balance labour market needs, economic growth, housing availability, healthcare capacity, and long-term population trends when finalizing immigration targets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can temporary residents participate in the consultation?
Yes. International students, temporary foreign workers, and other temporary residents in Canada can submit responses through the public survey.
Will the consultation affect Express Entry draws?
Potentially. Immigration level targets influence how many invitations IRCC can issue through Express Entry, although final draw sizes also depend on processing capacity and category allocations.
Will provinces receive separate immigration targets?
Federal immigration plans set national targets, but Provincial Nominee Program allocations are influenced by overall immigration levels.
Is the 12% Francophone target guaranteed?
The target reflects current federal policy commitments, but future governments could revise it. Public feedback may influence how strongly the government pursues this goal.
What if someone misses the June 14 deadline?
Late responses will not be accepted through the online survey, although IRCC continues engaging with stakeholders through other channels during policy development.
