Carney says federal government will maintain goal of sustainable immigration levels

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government will not change course on its goal of bringing immigration numbers to sustainable levels, adding that Ottawa is working to achieve that target.

Carney said he has been consulting with provincial governments on setting appropriate immigration levels and determining how newcomers can be distributed more effectively across the country and its economy. Carney says, this government is taking back control of immigration.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Tuesday that the Liberals had allowed immigration to run “totally out of control.” He argued that provinces should have greater authority over immigration numbers because they are responsible for providing services to newcomers. The strong support from Alberta voters in the referendum for giving provinces the authority to set immigration levels shows that Poilievre is not wrong.

The federal government is expected to update its immigration levels plan by next month. A few days ago, the immigration minister Lena Diab had admitted that Canada needs more people.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2026.