What Canada Wants to Know About 2026-2028 Immigration: A Look at the IRCC Immigration Levels Survey

Sometimes these surveys give us a look into the future of Express Entry. If I recall correctly, last year’s survey asked participants about whether Canada should add an education category – so we did glean some pretty interesting information from last year’s iteration.  

Here’s what this year’s immigration survey is asking—and why it matters. 

What’s the Immigration Levels Plan Survey about? 

The survey supports Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, which outlines how many temporary and permanent residents the country hopes to welcome each year. But numbers are only part of the story. The survey also digs into what types of immigrants should be prioritized, what kinds of support newcomers need, and how immigration can help strengthen communities across Canada. 

Who can take the survey? 

Two main groups are invited to take the survey: 

• Organizations: Businesses, non-profits, educational institutions, governments, and other groups sharing feedback on behalf of their communities or sectors; and 
• Individuals.

Key Topics in the Survey 

Setting Immigration Priorities 

Participants are asked to rank what they think Canada’s immigration system should focus on most, including: 

• Filling labour market gaps 

• Reuniting families 

• Supporting humanitarian needs 

• Growing the population 

• Strengthening communities in all regions 

• Promoting diversity 

• Supporting Francophone minority communities.

Temporary Residents: Workers and Students

It looks like the 2025 inclusion of temporary residents in the Immigration Levels Plan may carry forward into the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan.

The survey release affirms that Canada is looking to cap the number of temporary residents at 5% of the population. The current 2026 target includes: 

• 210,700 foreign workers

• 305,900 international students

Respondents are asked whether these targets feel too high, too low, or just right—and whether temporary immigration levels should rise, stabilize, or decrease beyond 2027. 

They’re also asked which group should be prioritized: workers or students. 

Permanent Residents

In 2026, the target for new permanent residents is 380,000—less than 1% of the population. The breakdown includes: 

• 229,750 economic immigrants

• 88,000 family class

• 62,250 refugees and protected persons

Respondents are asked to consider whether those numbers should change in future years? And if so, who should be prioritized (or deprioritized)? 

Skilled vs. Lower-Skilled Immigration 

The survey asks whether Canada should increase permanent residence options for workers in lower-skilled jobs—roles that often require only high school education or on-the-job training. 

This is especially important in sectors facing long-term shortages, such as agriculture and transport, but can apply further to some healthcare roles and construction jobs. 

This is actually an interesting question in Canada’s economy. Unemployment is currently quite high but at the same time, some industries (including some lower-skilled sectors) are facing intense job shortages. So Canada is in an interesting position where there’s high unemployment but Canadian workers are often still unwilling to perform certain jobs or to move to certain areas for work. 

Supporting Newcomers and Communities

Participants rank investments they think are most needed to support immigration. Options include: 

• Affordable housing 

• Health care services 

• Language training 

• Foreign credential recognition 

• Employment support 

• Childcare and education 

The survey also asks what would make a difference in Francophone minority communities, like better selection tools, easier PR transitions, and stronger job connections. 

Addressing Systemic Barriers

IRCC acknowledges that bias exists in the immigration system. Respondents are invited to share ideas on how to reduce racism, sexism, ableism, and other barriers in policy and service delivery. 

• We wrote about the gender gap in Canada’s Express Entry system last year. 

Why This Matters 

This survey helps shape how many people Canada welcomes—and how well it supports them once they arrive. As we saw last year with the education category question, this survey does have a very direct impact on Canada’s immigration policy for the coming year(s).  

We won’t expect to see much else about the survey until the Immigration Levels Plan for 2026-2028 is released later this year, likely in late October or early November.