Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said in her statements on Thursday that Canada will continue to implement its plans to reduce the number of new arrivals, despite concerns that Donald Trump's victory may lead to an influx of immigrants from the United States.

Joly confirmed that Canada’s immigration plan will not be affected by the threats made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the mass deportation of undocumented immigrants.

She clarified that Canada will continue to implement its immigration strategy, which includes reducing the number of new arrivals by 20%, noting that the goal is to maintain a reliable immigration system that Canadians trust.

She added that Canada is prepared to face any potential repercussions, and the government will strongly defend this system.

These statements came at a time when discussions about the border began following Trump's decisive victory this week, where he promised the mass deportation of undocumented immigrants or those without legal documents.

These remarks come at a sensitive time, as Trump’s victory raises concerns about a potential influx of immigrants to Canada due to the deportation policies adopted by the U.S. President, prompting Canadian officials to affirm their commitment to organizing immigration in a way that aligns with the needs of the country and ensures the interests of citizens.

Policies and anti-immigration rhetoric during Donald Trump's first term led to a wave of migrants to Canada, especially via the rural border crossing in Quebec.

Despite fears of a potential increase in the number of migrants following Trump's election win, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly confirmed that Canada will continue its plans to reduce the number of new arrivals.

Joly stated that the goal is “an immigration system that Canadians trust,” indicating a 20% reduction in immigration targets to earn the trust of the Canadian people.

For her part, NDP MP Jenny Kwan called on the Canadian government to develop a plan to handle the influx of migrants in a humane and transparent manner.

She added that the government should be more open in its dealings with this issue.

After Trump's victory, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau activated the Canadian-U.S. Relations Cabinet Committee, which had stopped meeting since 2021. Immigration Minister Marc Miller and Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc were appointed to the committee to follow up on the immigration file.

Regarding migrants entering Canada through the Roxham Road border crossing in Quebec, Quebec Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet criticized the Liberal government, accusing it of downplaying the issue and calling for reinforcement at border entry points. However, some pointed out that the current situation may not be similar to that which existed in 2017.

Last year, when President Joe Biden was in Ottawa, he and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an agreement to amend the Safe Third Country Agreement. This amendment means that asylum seekers cannot apply for asylum if they entered one country through the other, but previously this policy was only enforced at official border crossings.

Now, the policy applies to the entire border, resulting in a significant decrease in the number of asylum applications submitted through unofficial crossings.

Muzafar Chichestee, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., noted that immigrants are likely to adopt a wait-and-see approach, as what Trump says does not always translate into actual policy.

He added, “This does not mean that some will not leave the country, but I think the nature of the actions taken by the Trump administration will determine whether people change their intentions regarding staying in the country.”

He also stated that how Canada responds will play a key role in determining whether a “crisis” for migrants will emerge. He added, “If they believe there is no welcome in Canada, they will not leave.”

In 2017, Prime Minister Trudeau tweeted that Canada would welcome refugees after Trump issued an executive order banning refugees from majority-Muslim countries, a step widely seen as a reaction to Trump's policy. Trudeau said in his tweet: “To those fleeing persecution, terror, and war, you will be welcomed in Canada, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength. Welcome to Canada.” Later reports indicated that this tweet led to an increase in inquiries about how to apply for asylum in Canada.