OTTAWA – Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that his government has successfully "taken back control" of Canada's immigration system during a press conference in Red Deer, Alberta. This statement comes in response to an upcoming referendum in Alberta, where citizens will be asked how they wish the province to manage immigration.
The referendum will contain questions regarding the potential for Alberta to assume greater control over its immigration processes. Additionally, it will propose a law that would require individuals to provide proof of citizenship to vote in provincial elections. Another significant aspect of the referendum will inquire whether citizens support limiting access to provincially funded services, such as health care and education, to citizens, permanent residents, and those with “Alberta-approved” immigration status. This section of the referendum includes two ancillary questions.
In his remarks, Carney criticized the previous immigration levels, stating they were "far too high" when his government took office, resulting in Canada "losing control" over the influx of foreign students and temporary workers. He provided statistics indicating a significant decline in various areas of immigration, specifically noting that the number of asylum seekers entering Canada has decreased by a third. Furthermore, the influx of temporary foreign workers and international students has fallen by half and two-thirds, respectively.
Data from the immigration department reveals that approximately 19,000 study permit holders and nearly 78,000 temporary workers arrived in Canada between January and May of 2026. Looking back to 2025, the immigration department reports that more than 115,000 international students and nearly 209,000 temporary workers entered Canada.
Carney expressed confidence in the current immigration numbers, stating that the federal government, alongside the provincial premiers, has a unique opportunity to discuss further steps regarding immigration management. He acknowledged the ongoing pressure that immigration levels are placing on housing, reinforcing the need for a few more years of restraint in immigration levels.
During a recent meeting on Prince Edward Island, Carney spoke with the premiers about the possibility of prioritizing certain skills for economic immigrants. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith highlighted that her province has approximately 6,400 spots available this year in the provincial nominee program for permanent residency. She noted that around 40,000 people are currently seeking permanent residency through Alberta's program, which underscores the need for a better balance in immigration management.
Smith compared Alberta's situation to that of Quebec, which has the ability to select about 45,000 permanent residents through a different immigration program. She argued that Alberta should also have more autonomy in selecting immigrants to address the disparity and to better align with the province's economic needs.
This press conference emphasizes the federal government's commitment to regaining control over immigration policies while addressing the concerns of the provinces, particularly Alberta, regarding how immigration impacts local services and economic needs. The upcoming referendum in Alberta will serve as a critical point for discussing provincial authority in immigration matters and the broader implications of such decisions on community resources and services.
