The share of temporary residents in Canada—comprising international students, temporary foreign workers, and other visa holders—has risen significantly, reaching a peak around 7.3 % of the population in late 2024 and sitting near 7.1 % by spring 2025. The current government has formally proposed a target of 5 % by 2026, signaling a policy shift toward constraining non-permanent migration. This matters because a swelling temporary population exerts pressure on housing, public services, transportation, and long-term infrastructure planning. At the same time, such residents are often integral to sectors with labour shortages. The trade-offs are complex: reducing that share may ease some burdens but also risk labour gaps, especially in seasonal or high-growth industries. Furthermore, the path from target to reality depends on immigration policy, economic conditions, and enforcement.