Canada's Immigration Minister Marc Miller has announced significant reductions to international student and work permit programs, aiming to lower temporary resident numbers as public sentiment shifts. Starting in 2025, the number of study permits will be capped at 437,000, a 10% decrease from the previous target, with stricter eligibility requirements for post-graduation work permits and spousal work permits. Master’s and PhD students will now need a Provincial Attestation Letter, while language proficiency benchmarks will be raised for work permit applicants. These changes are part of a broader strategy to address labor market challenges and public concerns regarding housing and living costs, amid rising anti-migrant sentiment. Critics argue that simply cutting migrant numbers won’t solve issues like labor exploitation and advocate for pathways to permanent residency. The government aims to reduce temporary residents to 5% of the total population, down from 6.8%.