TORONTO– Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday the country would significantly reduce the number of new immigrants allowed into the country after acknowledging his government had failed to strike the right balance as it emerged from the pandemic.

Trudeau’s Liberal government has been criticized for its plan to allow 500,000 new permanent residents into the country in each of the next two years. On Thursday, he said the target for next year would now be 395,000 new permanent residents and that figure would fall to 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027.

“In the tumultuous times following the emergence from the pandemic, between meeting labor needs and maintaining population growth, we have not found the right balance,” Trudeau said.

“Immigration is essential for the future of Canada, but it must be controlled and sustainable. »

Trudeau, who faces calls within his own party not to seek a fourth term, has faced growing criticism over his immigration policies and the negative impact of population growth on housing affordability.

He said his government would reduce the number of immigrants Canada would welcome over the next three years and that this would freeze population growth over the next two years. Canada reached 41 million people in April. The population was 37.5 million in 2019.

Trudeau said Canada must stabilize its population growth to allow all levels of government to make necessary changes to health care, housing and social services to be able to accommodate more people in the future.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller said the decline in immigration numbers would help ease the country’s housing shortage.

He also acknowledged the shift in public opinion on immigration.

“The volume we presented is concerning,” Miller said.

Miller said the government is aware of the pressures Canadians face and needs to adapt its policies accordingly. He said government leaders have listened and will continue to protect the integrity of the immigration system and grow Canada’s population responsibly.

“We are an open country, but not everyone can come to this country,” he said, emphasizing that Canada will continue to welcome foreigners and that the government’s immigration goals remain ambitious.

The Trudeau government has long touted Canada’s immigration policy and that Canada is better than its peers at welcoming newcomers and integrating them into the economy.

Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the opposition Conservative Party, accused Trudeau of destroying the national consensus on immigration.

“He destroyed our immigration system through his own personal incompetence and destroyed 150 years of common sense consensus with liberals and conservatives on this issue,” Poilievre said.

“He can’t fix what he broke on immigration or housing or anything else because he’s busy fighting his own caucus,” he added.

Poilievre was referring to calls from some lawmakers in Trudeau’s own party not to seek a fourth term. The calls represent one of the biggest tests for Trudeau’s political career, but he said Thursday he intends to stay in office until the next election.

Nelson Wiseman, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Toronto, said the Trudeau government made serious mistakes on immigration.

“The government’s logic — to grow the economy and support an aging Canadian population by welcoming more young immigrants — was sound. But Ottawa has little control over meeting the housing, health, education and welfare needs of residents, whether they are citizens. or immigrants,” Wiseman said.

“These are all responsibilities of the provincial government, and there has been little cooperation or coordination between the two levels of government,” he said.

A certain percentage of Canadians have always been xenophobic, but much less than in some other countries, Wiseman said.

“Many Canadians have opposed the growing influx of immigrants, temporary workers and students due to growing problems with housing, health, education and other social issues. Ottawa has read the polls and is reacting accordingly,” he said.