Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Updates

The Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration (FMRI) met today to advance collaboration on the 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan and discuss federal–provincial–territorial (FPT) priorities. They discussed returning immigration to sustainable levels while considering regional, rural and northern contexts, addressing labour shortages, reinforcing key economic sectors, and supporting communities across the country. Ministers also discussed the role of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) in advancing these considerations and the need for stable and adequate PNP allocations.

The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, alongside her provincial and territorial counterparts, will hold a press conference following a meeting of the Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration (FMRI). Minister Diab will be joined by the Honourable Lin Paddock, Minister of Immigration for Newfoundland and Labrador and Provincial-Territorial FMRI Co-Chair.

On World Refugee Day, Canada recognizes the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention and the international refugee protection system it created, including the principle that people have the right to seek safety from persecution.

Building on recent measures to strengthen Canada’s immigration and asylum systems, and recent decreases in asylum claim volumes, the Government of Canada is taking further action to maintain a fair, orderly and well-managed asylum system.

Canada continues to improve its asylum system so that it is fair, transparent and sustainable over the long-term.

Canada and the French overseas collectivity of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon share strong travel, tourism and economic ties, particularly in Atlantic Canada. We work closely to support safe, efficient travel while strengthening the security and integrity of our shared travel routes.

As part of Canada’s Border Plan, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and its partners have strengthened screening, increased information sharing, and enhanced fraud detection to help identify non-genuine travellers and protect the integrity of Canada’s immigration and asylum systems. In 2025, Canada also strengthened authorities to cancel eTAs, visas, and work or study permits in specific circumstances on a case-by-case basis.

As Canada continues to deepen its trade, investment and strategic partnerships across the Indo Pacific, the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced today that Canada will make changes to visa requirements for eligible citizens from Indonesia and Malaysia starting tomorrow, May 26, 2026, at 5:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

The Government of Canada is seeking to diversify Canada’s trade partners to support a stronger, more resilient economy. Safely increasing mobility between Canada and its trade partners helps support these efforts.

In Budget 2025, we outlined our plan to build Canada Strong.

The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will hold a press conference in Dartmouth to highlight housing investments from the Spring Economic Update 2026: Canada Strong For All that will help build more homes in Nova Scotia by growing the skilled workforce, speeding up construction and supporting modern methods of construction.

Canada is working with partners around the world to strengthen migration systems and address shared challenges. This week, the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, led Canada’s delegation to the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) 2026 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.