Canada has decided to significantly reduce immigration to the country. The announcement from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday came after criticism grew against earlier liberal migration laws.
Trudeau, who leads Canada's Liberal Party, said at the same time that the government has not succeeded in finding the right balance in the number of migrants allowed into the country. Canada had planned to grant 500,000 people permanent residence permits per year for the next two years. According to Thursday's announcement, the level will be lowered to 395,000 people next year and then gradually reduced further.
In the turbulent times we lived through when we emerged from the (corona)pandemic, we didn't get the right balance between controlling the labor market and maintaining population growth, said Trudeau.
The Prime Minister has faced growing criticism, even within his own party, and voices are being raised that he should not stand for re-election.
