Canada, which is traditionally considered a welcoming country for immigrants, announced a "significant" 21% cut in the quota for permanent residents starting next year, reflecting a shift in immigration policy amid growing public concern on the issue.

Controlling Immigration

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement yesterday, Thursday, that "immigration is essential for the future of Canada, but it must be controlled," emphasizing that this decrease will lead to a "temporary halt in population growth over the next two years," according to Agence France-Presse.

This decision comes amid a population rise to over 41 million people, compared to about 35 million a decade ago, which has prompted the government to take measures aimed at containing record levels of immigration.

Reasons for the Decision

Trudeau clarified that the goal of this decision is to "stabilize demographic growth" to allow the government at various levels to implement necessary investments in health care, housing, and social services. Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino noted that this plan "responds to the considerable amount of criticism" that has been directed previously.

Public Opinion Trends

Polls indicate that half of Canadians believe that immigration is harming the country, as data from the Environics Institute showed that 58% of Canadians see there is excessive immigration, a sentiment that has significantly increased for the second consecutive year.

Reactions to the Decision

This announcement is considered a major turning point in Canada's policy, which has long been a destination for immigrants, especially from developing countries, while more than 120 civil society organizations believe that immigrants are not responsible for the housing crisis or job shortages. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce stated that this cut is "disappointing" for businesses that rely on immigration as a key driver of economic growth.

Opposition Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre claimed that Trudeau "destroyed the immigration system" and that this change reflects the government's failure.

For his part, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump commented on the Canadian government's decision, stating, "Even Justin Trudeau wants to close Canada's borders," referring to his own plan for managing immigration at the U.S. border.