Recent statistics from Statistics Canada indicate a notable slowdown in Canada's population growth, resulting from substantial changes in immigration policies aimed at easing pressures on housing, healthcare, and infrastructure.
From January to April 2025, Canada experienced an increase of only 20,107 people, effectively marking a 0.0% growth rate—the lowest since the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. This figure contrasts sharply with the historical quarterly average growth of around 0.3% from 2001 to early 2024.
Factors Behind Canada’s Reduced Population Growth
Canada's significant policy adjustments, primarily introduced in late 2024 and early 2025, aim to create a sustainable balance between immigration inflows and national capacity.
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Lowered Permanent Resident Targets In October 2024, Canada revised its Immigration Levels Plan for 2025-2027, reducing the permanent resident (PR) target to 395,000, down significantly from 485,000 in 2024. This change represents a strategic effort to align immigration with the country's economic and social resources for better integration and settlement.
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Limits on Temporary Resident Admissions For the first time, Canada has implemented clear caps on temporary resident admissions, setting a target of approximately 673,650 for 2025, encompassing both international students and temporary foreign workers.
Significant restrictions include
- Study Permits: Approvals are set to decrease by 40% compared to 2024, limiting new study permits to around 550,162.
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Temporary Foreign Workers: The Low-Wage Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) stream has been halted in regions where unemployment rates are 6% or higher.
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Changes to Spousal Open Work Permit Eligibility As of January 2025, eligibility for spousal open work permits has become more stringent,
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International students must be pursuing a master's or doctoral program lasting at least 16 months or certain professional degrees.
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Foreign workers must hold a 16-month work permit and work in occupations classified as TEER 0/1 or specific TEER 2/3 jobs.
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Restricted Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP) Eligibility for PGWPs now emphasizes labour market demand and includes specific criteria such as language proficiency. Students applying after policy updates, particularly those in non-priority fields, risk losing eligibility, affecting their long-term immigration prospects.
Impact on Population Trends The first quarter of 2025 saw a remarkable decrease of 61,111 in temporary resident numbers, contributing significantly to the reduced population growth observed in recent quarters.
Analysts link these restrictive measures to public concerns around affordability, healthcare quality, and strained infrastructure, especially in major urban centers.
Express Entry System Adjustments Previously a popular fast track for Canadian PR, Express Entry is also becoming increasingly selective,
Higher Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores
The lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score for Express Entry draws in the period from January to June 2025 was 379, issued during a French-language proficiency draw held on March 21, 2025. Key CRS Highlights (Jan–Jun 2025)
379 — lowest cut-off (March 21, French-language draw)
Other French-language draws also saw low thresholds: 410 (March 6) and 428 (February 19)
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws reached as low as 521
Fewer draws for invitations
An 11% decrease in ITAs from January to June 2025 compared to same priod last year (43,741 → 38,845). Fewer rounds indicate a slowdown in candidate invitations by IRCC this year—the pattern reflects a more cautious and selective draw schedule in 2025.
Increased importance of provincial nominations and job offers
Between January and June 2025, 11 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws were held under Canada’s Express Entry system, which resulted in a total of 5,495 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) — a significant decline compared to the same period in 2024. Jan - June 2025 - 5495 ITA's issued, whereas same period in 2024 total ITA issued were 13,772.
Thats a 60% decrease in PNP-specific invitations year-over-year. The data highlights the growing significance of provincial nominations within the Express Entry framework—even as total PNP ITAs decline, these nominations still play a key role in the overall immigration pathway
Aspiring candidates are encouraged to proactively manage their profiles using tools such as the CRS Calculator or seek professional assistance through trusted platforms like QuestJobs to improve their immigration journey.
Canada's immigration landscape is shifting toward a selective approach, prioritizing skilled and qualified individuals who align closely with the country’s economic needs. For those aiming at pathways auch as AIP, RFC , OINP, and other Provincial Nominee Programs, platforms like QuestJobs offer valuable resources, real-time updates, on PR eligible jobs.
Stay informed, proactive, and prepared for Canada's immigration policies in 2025 by leveraging the comprehensive services provided by QuestJobs.