Poilievre calls for a reduction in immigration: "There should be more people leaving than coming in"

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is calling for a sharp clampdown on immigration, saying Canada is failing to cope with the influx of people. He proposes introducing strict caps and achieving negative migration — so that the number of people leaving exceeds the number of people arriving.

According to him, millions of temporary residents will soon lose their status, and the country must reduce the flow of foreign students and workers. He criticizes the previous Liberal policies as an “experiment with open borders,” linking population growth to a housing shortage, an overburdened health care system, and unemployment.

Since 2020, Canada has added 3.6 million people — mostly due to temporary migrants. In response to criticism, Mark Carney’s government has already cut quotas, slowing population growth. By 2027, the share of temporary residents is planned to be reduced from 7.5% to 5%.

However, Poilievre insists: this is not enough. He is calling for a “new system” that prioritizes the interests of Canadians. Immigration is once again becoming a key political issue.