Canada's working-age population is shrinking; should immigration stay near zero?

The federal government reduced immigration targets in fall 2024 and is projecting near-zero population growth through 2028. Experts in the column disagree: one says the pause relieves pressure on housing and services, while the other warns it risks long-term labour and service shortfalls.

The federal government sharply reduced immigration targets in fall 2024 and is projecting near-zero population growth through 2028. Bridging the Divide pairs two voices on the issue. Robert Kavcic, a senior economist, argues the slowdown is a necessary correction to relieve strain on housing, rentals, health care and public services. Lisa Lalande, CEO of the Century Initiative, contends the pullback risks worsening long-term labour shortages and weakening smaller communities. Key points: - The government moved in fall 2024 to sharply reduce immigration targets; projected population growth is near zero through 2028. - Robert Kavcic says the slowdown helps align inflows with Canada’s capacity for housing and services and views a temporary pause of two to three years as reasonable. - Lisa Lalande warns the reduction was abrupt and could deepen long-term challenges, noting a shrinking working-age population and service gaps in health care and smaller communities. - Permanent resident targets remain around 380,000 annually while the scaled-back flows relate mainly to non-permanent residents such as temporary workers and international students. Summary: The article frames a trade-off between short-term relief for housing and services and longer-term demographic risks to the labour force and public services. It reports current targets set through 2028 but does not describe a new national population plan. Undetermined at this time.