QUESTION PERIOD — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Immigration Levels
November 25, 2025
Senator Moreau, I would like to address the government’s new 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, which coincided with the Carney government’s first budget.
Budget 2025 notes that slower population growth and a return to sustainable immigration levels have eased overall labour market pressure. Yet, the government also acknowledges that slower hiring has made it harder for both youth and newcomers to find their first job.
Youth unemployment has significantly increased since 2022. Given these trends, how is the government ensuring that scaled-back immigration targets do not inadvertently deepen barriers to employment for young Canadians while also supporting a successful labour market integration of newcomers?
Senator Loffreda, that is an important issue.
The Government of Canada is making it easier for newcomers to work in the fields in which they’re trained. That is why the government has launched the Foreign Credential Recognition Action Fund to help provinces and territories speed up credential approvals, especially in health care and the skilled trades, so internationally trained workers can fill real shortages without displacing young Canadians.
The government is aligning immigration levels with labour market needs — that’s very important — through the International Talent Attraction Strategy and Action Plan.
The government is prioritizing sectors with clear shortages and high-growth potential ensuring immigration complements the opportunities available to young Canadians everywhere in the country.
Thank you for that response.
The budget highlights significant reductions in temporary foreign worker arrivals, international students and asylum claimants.
Can you clarify what specific measures the government will implement to ensure these dramatic reductions in immigration pathways do not constrain sectors that rely on new entrants? What targeted supports will be provided to help youth secure jobs that these newcomers previously filled?
In 30 seconds, it would be difficult to make an exhaustive list. Many of the measures in Budget 2025 will strengthen pathways for young Canadians entering the workforce.
The latest budget enhanced Canada’s research ecosystem, namely with training apprenticeship and targeted support for early career workers so that our youth can access the good jobs created by the government’s innovation and growth agenda.
