Canada brings in far fewer foreign workers this year than it expected.
Canada welcomes far fewer foreign workers this year than planned. The number sits close to goals for 2026 instead. Federal officials expect to fall short of the 2025 target by more than 100,000 workers if the current pace continues.
Government data shows an expected total of about 202,923 workers by December 31. The 2025 target calls for 367,750 arrivals. The 2026 target sits much lower at 230,000 workers. This year’s numbers already match that level.
The government uses two streams to admit temporary workers. One is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. The other is the International Mobility Program.
Between January and August, Canada welcomed 154,515 workers under both streams. Arrivals increased between April and June. That pattern matches last year. Even with the spring rise, totals remain far below this year’s goals.
Monthly arrivals under both programs show steady but limited growth. The first eight months brought 43,315 workers through the TFWP and 111,200 through the IMP.
Analysts compared this trend with last year’s patterns. They found that arrivals this year represent a similar share of yearly totals. Using the same proportions, they calculated a likely total for 2025. The model points to a final count of about 59,679 workers under the TFWP and 143,244 under the IMP.
The combined total sits at 202,923, far below the 2025 target. It also sits closer to the goal for 2026.
The shortfall is large. The government expected 82,000 TFWP workers and 285,750 IMP workers this year. Instead, projections fall short by 164,827 workers overall.
When compared with 2026 goals, the gap narrows. The TFWP projection sits just 321 workers below next year’s target. The IMP falls short by 26,756 workers. The combined total misses the 2026 target by 27,077.
Federal officials introduced many rules in 2024 and 2025 to bring down the number of temporary residents. They responded to growing concerns about housing supply and rising costs. The government also aims to reduce temporary residents to 5% of the total population by 2027.
Several measures push numbers down:
Officials also expect to miss 2025 targets for new international students. Those numbers also match 2026 levels.
The drop in temporary residents already affects housing. A recent bank report says lower newcomer numbers slowed rent growth and eased pressure on the job market. Canada’s housing agency reports the same trend. Four major cities, including Toronto and Vancouver, show declines in advertised rents.
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