Thank you, Chair. Hopefully we won't spend the next couple of hours disproving your opening statement about how disciplined we are.
I want to first acknowledge our presence in Ottawa on the traditional and unceded territories of the Algonquin Anishinabe people.
I am here today to discuss the work we are doing to strengthen our immigration system with the aid of the 2025–2027 immigration levels plan and obviously the supplementary estimates (B).
As you all know, immigration has shaped Canada and is still extremely important for our future. The growth, prosperity and diversity of our country rely on a well-managed immigration system. For generations now, we have opened our doors to newcomers and have welcomed their skills, innovations and contributions to strong and growing communities.
In response to the recent global pandemic and labour shortages, we implemented temporary measures to attract some of the world's best and brightest to study and work in Canada, among other things. These measures have helped us navigate a really challenging period, avoid a recession and accelerate our recovery.
Today Canada's economy has evolved. While newcomers remain essential to our economy and are filling critical roles in health care, trades and other sectors, we do recognize the need to pause population growth and return it to prepandemic levels. That is why we've taken a comprehensive approach to protecting the integrity of our immigration system and ensuring sustainable growth.
For the first time, the immigration levels plan includes targets for temporary residents, including foreign students and temporary foreign workers, as well as permanent resident targets. This approach takes economic needs into consideration and alleviates the current pressures on housing, infrastructure and, obviously, social services.
That's why we're adjusting our permanent resident targets to 395,000 in 2025, a decrease of 105,000, and then to 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027. This levels plan builds on recently announced reforms. For international students, we've introduced annual caps, required verification letters of acceptance and tightened access to postgraduate work permits.
These measures are already showing results, with international student numbers down by 43% from 2023 and with high-demand areas like Vancouver and Toronto beginning to see reductions in rental prices. This is important.
Our new plan prioritizes people with Canadian experience. We're aiming for over 40% of new permanent residents to come from temporary residents already contributing and integrating to Canada. This in-Canada focus aligns with labour market needs while easing pressures facing Canadians.
The revised targets are expected to reduce the housing supply gap by about 670,000 units by the end of 2027, and, if you rely on the more recently released PBO report, to reduce housing supply gaps by half.
Although Canada's economic needs are significant, we are still attached to our humanitarian tradition of assisting some of the most vulnerable people in the world. That will continue.
We also remain determined to reunite families by allocating 24% of admissions to permanent residence in 2025, in accordance with our immigration plan.
We will obviously continue our efforts to enhance the vitality of francophone communities outside Quebec. The target for French-speaking permanent residents will be 8.5% of total admissions in 2025, which represents an increase from 3% to 8.5% in just a few years. The target will be 9.5% in 2026 and 10% in 2027.
I want Canadians to know that we're listening. We understand the challenges our country faces and we're addressing them. Our goal is to make immigration work for everyone, ensuring that newcomers and Canadians alike can access quality jobs, housing and the community supports they need.
With regard to the supplementary estimates, I would like to note the main measures that were presented last week.
First, we know that Quebec is facing disproportionate pressure to welcome asylum claimants, which is why we have allocated $750 million to reimburse Quebec. The supplementary estimates (B) provide for 91% of that amount. It is essential that it be adopted.
Second, through the interim housing assistance plan, we're reimbursing provinces, territories and municipalities for providing housing to asylum seekers, especially during the winter months.
Third, through the interim federal health benefit program, we're providing necessary health care to refugees and asylum seekers until they are eligible for provincial or territorial coverage.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I will be happy to answer questions from members of the committee.