The federal government is refusing to release figures on how many undocumented immigrants remain in Canada, sparking criticism from opposition MPs and reigniting debate over immigration policy and capacity.Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner (Calgary Nose Hill) called for a national deportation strategy in the House of Commons, blaming the Liberal government for overwhelming Canada’s infrastructure. “The Liberals invited millions of migrants into Canada knowing full well they did not have the economic and social infrastructure to support them,” she said. Blacklock's Reporter says Rempel Garner emphasized that newcomers themselves are not at fault, but that Canadians were misled about the country’s ability to accommodate them..The Department of Immigration previously confirmed 2.3 million foreign nationals were in Canada last year, including over 1 million students with temporary study permits and more than 766,000 temporary foreign workers. “Millions of people are now in Canada with expired or imminently expiring visas,” Rempel Garner warned, pressing for clarity on how the government intends to enforce departures.Immigration Minister Lena Diab responded by stating that the system is being strengthened to maintain integrity while upholding Canada’s humanitarian responsibilities. “Make no mistake, Canada takes its obligations seriously and we are strengthening our asylum system to make it more efficient and flexible,” she said..Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree dismissed the claim that illegal immigrants in Canada number in the millions, but did not provide alternative figures. A 2024 briefing note from the immigration department acknowledged there are “no accurate figures” on the number of undocumented immigrants in the country, although internal estimates suggest the population could be as high as 500,000.Government polling has also highlighted growing public concern over immigration levels. A 2025 tracking survey found that 54% of Canadians believe too many immigrants are coming into the country, with the top reasons cited including housing shortages (40%), unemployment concerns (25%), and a belief that Canada should prioritize its own citizens (22%).Regionally, 61% of Albertans said immigration levels are too high, followed by 59% in Saskatchewan, 58% in Ontario, and 56% in British Columbia. Lower figures were reported in Québec (44%), New Brunswick (41%), and Newfoundland and Labrador (39%).
