Prime Minister Justin Trudeau admitted that his government could have acted more swiftly to reform immigration programs, citing “bad actors” who exploited the system.
In a nearly seven-minute YouTube video released Sunday, Trudeau discussed recent reductions in permanent residency admissions and adjustments to the temporary foreign worker program. The number of new permanent residents will drop by approximately 20% over the next two years, reaching 365,000 by 2027.
Trudeau explained that boosting immigration after pandemic lockdowns helped avert a major recession by strengthening the labor market. However, he acknowledged that some individuals and organizations took advantage of these programs.
“Some saw this as an opportunity to game the system, including large corporations,” Trudeau stated. He also criticized colleges and universities for prioritizing profits by increasing international student enrollment, as well as scammers preying on vulnerable immigrants with fraudulent citizenship promises.
Reflecting on the post-pandemic economic cooling, Trudeau admitted that his government could have responded faster by scaling back immigration programs.
The new immigration strategy aims to stabilize population growth while allowing housing supply to catch up. Recent changes also make it harder for employers to secure temporary worker permits. Trudeau suggested immigration levels could increase again once these issues are resolved.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre responded by pointing out contradictions in Trudeau’s approach. Speaking on The Jas Johal Show in Vancouver, Poilievre accused Trudeau of backtracking on his own policies.
“He’s essentially condemning his entire immigration strategy while expecting Canadians to trust him to fix the mess he created,” Poilievre said. He reiterated his proposal to align immigration with housing availability, health care, and job opportunities.
An official from the Prime Minister’s Office clarified that Trudeau’s video was released as part of ongoing efforts to communicate government policies. The video was reportedly recorded before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s deportation promises raised concerns about irregular migration.