New data indicates that the Liberal government's planned reductions in immigration are already falling short, even as a recent report suggests that these cuts have had a positive impact on the economy. Last year, the government committed to lowering immigration rates to prevent overwhelming community resources, setting a target of 673,650 new temporary migrants for 2025. However, an analysis by the Association for Canadian Studies reveals that in the first half of 2025, temporary migration has already reached 557,335, accounting for 82 percent of the total target. Jack Jedwab, executive director of the Association for Canadian Studies, noted in an email that the government is likely to meet its reduction goals only for international students, while exceeding targets for both the temporary foreign worker program and the International Mobility Program. A report released by TD economists on Tuesday found that the slowdown in immigration has led to lower housing costs and increased job availability. The report estimates that without the immigration cuts, Canada's unemployment rate would be around eight percent, compared to the current rate of 7.1 percent, as reported by Statistics Canada. The report stated, "The federal government’s revised immigration policy is beginning to pay dividends in returning balance to a stretched social infrastructure." Analysts had expected that reducing immigration would decrease consumer spending due to fewer people in the economy. However, they found the opposite to be true, attributing this to a shift in immigration patterns toward low-skilled young individuals with limited spending power. The post-COVID period has seen some of the highest immigration rates in Canadian history, particularly in temporary migration. From 2022 to 2025, Canada added 3.1 million people, averaging 86,000 newcomers each month. This surge has been largely driven by significant increases in temporary immigration streams, including temporary foreign workers and student visa holders. As of the latest figures, Canada has 3,024,216 non-permanent residents, a stark increase from the 1.3 million counted in 2021. This growth has positioned Canada’s population increase well above that of its peers, with a three percent growth rate in 2023, six times higher than the OECD average of 0.5 percent. The government, under then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, justified high immigration levels as essential for economic growth and to mitigate potential labor shortages. In November 2023, Trudeau addressed concerns about rising housing demand, stating, "We all know immigration creates jobs and prosperity." The previous year, he emphasized the need for increased immigration to tackle labor shortages. Despite the announced cuts, Canadian immigration remains at historically high levels. This year, the country is expected to welcome 395,000 permanent residents, significantly lower than the pre-reduction target of 500,000 but still above the 300,000 average from 2015 to 2020, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The temporary foreign worker program has faced public criticism regarding its impact on unemployment and housing affordability. A September poll by Angus Reid Institute found that 66 percent of respondents viewed the TFW program negatively, reflecting ongoing concerns about the implications of high temporary immigration on the Canadian economy and society.