Prime Minister Mark Carney’s 2025 Federal Budget, Canada Strong, was approved by parliament on Nov. 17 in a narrow vote of 170 votes in favour and 168 votes opposed. The budget includes several changes to immigration programs under the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan. Notably, the number of temporary foreign workers (TFW) and international students admitted to Canada will be reduced, economic migration level goals are set to increase, and though permanent residency recognition will be streamlined for current temporary workers, intakes will be dramatically reduced overall.
Immigration levels have already dropped sharply over the past year, with international student enrollment targets declining by approximately 60 per cent, going from 305,900 to 150,000 students. Critics have expressed concern around the reduction.
Annabree Fairweather, executive director of the Confederation of University Faculty Associations of BC, told CBC that the drop will impact university funding, resulting in a reduction of staff, larger class sizes, and faculty burnout.
“Targeting international students without addressing the real issue of funding in post-secondary is a short-sighted approach,” said Fairweather.
Conversely, the cap exempts graduate students, and $1.7 billion will be allocated to attract research talent, which will benefit major research universities.
Darien Johnsen is a UFV alumni who obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree with double extended minors in Global Development Studies and Sociology in 2020. She started writing for The Cascade in 2018, taking on the role of features editor shortly after. She’s passionate about justice, sustainable development, and education.