(ALBERTA) Alberta’s immigration minister, Joseph Schow, is urging Ottawa to include “illegal immigrants” — also called irregular or undocumented migrants — in Canada’s official immigration targets. He says the federal figures don’t reflect who is actually living in the country and using public services. His push comes as provinces report rising costs for health care, housing, and schools, and as the federal government drafts its 2026 immigration plan amid growing public pressure for clearer reporting.
In August 2025, Schow said the federal government has “lost control of sustainable immigration,” arguing that Ottawa’s targets ignore an estimated up to 500,000 irregular residents nationwide. He says these people still receive taxpayer-funded services but are not counted in federal planning, leaving provinces to cover the gap. The federal government is collecting feedback from provinces for the next plan but has not committed to counting irregular migrants.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has acknowledged that “the system isn’t working,” signaling openness to change, though no specific promise has been made to add irregular migrants to federal targets. Meanwhile, public debate continues to intensify, especially in fast-growing provinces like Alberta where the strain shows up in busy emergency rooms, crowded classrooms, and tight rental markets.
Alberta’s demand and Ottawa’s response
Schow’s position is straightforward: if provinces must serve every resident, the federal government should count every resident when it sets targets and funds programs. He is also calling for a cap on immigration and broader reforms to rebuild public trust and help provinces plan.
Alberta argues current federal transfers are based on official counts that exclude irregular migrants, creating shortfalls that local systems must absorb.
Key facts from the federal plan and context:
– As of August 21, 2025, Ottawa’s plan targets:
1. 395,000 new permanent residents in 2025
2. 380,000 in 2026
3. 365,000 in 2027
– These figures do not include irregular migrants.
– Canada is also managing nearly 3 million temporary residents — international students, work permit holders, and others — tracked separately from permanent resident targets.
– Official government information on current programs and planning is available at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/.
Irregular migrants are people living in Canada without a current legal status or outside normal visa systems. Some may later file refugee claims or seek humanitarian relief, but there is no official federal mechanism to count or include them in immigration targets or funding models. Provinces say this gap weakens planning for hospitals, schools, and local housing even as communities try to keep up with fast growth.
What the numbers say and why it matters
Alberta’s rapid growth frames the debate. The province’s population rose 4.36% in 2023–24, and officials say 71.2% of that growth came from international migration. It also welcomed 43,750 people from other provinces in 2024. That two-way pull — newcomers from abroad and Canadians moving to Alberta — adds to housing demand and health system pressure simultaneously.
Policy and public opinion context:
– The Migration Policy Institute said in 2025 that a majority of Canadians now believe immigration levels are too high, linking this perception to housing shortages and crowded services.
– Analysis by VisaVerge.com shows the debate has widened beyond overall numbers to include how Ottawa counts people and how costs are shared with provinces.
Other provinces have echoed Alberta’s concerns. Several have negotiated for more flexibility or extra support within federal-provincial agreements as local costs climb. Still, Alberta remains the most vocal in demanding Ottawa count irregular migrants in its targets and transfer formulas. Provincial officials say leaving anyone out of the data makes it harder to forecast needs for doctors, teachers, buses, and beds.
Political moves and legislation:
– The federal government has lowered future permanent resident targets compared with previous years, focusing on “sustainability” and capacity inside Canada.
– In June 2025, the government introduced Bill C-2 to restrict some asylum claims and expand executive powers over immigration documents. The bill does not address counting irregular residents in the targets.
What happens next
The federal government is writing its 2026 Immigration Levels Plan and is seeking input from provinces and stakeholders. Officials say they aim to balance economic needs, family reunification, and humanitarian goals with the country’s ability to provide housing, health care, and infrastructure.
For now, there’s no sign Ottawa will include irregular migrants in the official counts, even as it prioritizes in-Canada transitions from temporary status to permanent residency.
Practical implications on the ground:
– A school district may need more classroom space and teachers by September, but funding based on last year’s official counts might not cover the true number of children in seats — including those from families without status.
– Community clinics may see longer wait times as they treat everyone who walks in, regardless of immigration status, while budget lines lag behind the reality.
– Employers want steady work permit pathways and reliable timelines to plan.
– Students need clear rules on study permits, work hours, and post-graduation options.
The policy fight affects the whole system: temporary, permanent, and irregular streams interact. When one piece shifts, pressure flows to the others.
Perspectives, proposals, and public reaction
For families living without status, the lack of a formal counting system means limited paths to stability. Some may try for refugee protection or humanitarian relief, but many remain outside official programs.
Advocacy and policy positions:
– Some advocacy groups push for regularization routes to bring people into the system.
– Others call for stricter enforcement and stronger border controls.
– Both sides agree a clearer picture of who lives in Canada would help plan services and restore public confidence.
Key questions in the months ahead:
– Will Ottawa pilot a way to estimate irregular residents for planning?
– Will provinces gain greater input on local caps or settlement funding?
– How will the federal government align housing and health investments with its immigration plan?
Provinces like Alberta say target numbers must match real headcounts on the ground to avoid shortfalls that feed public frustration.
Current official picture (summary table)
| Item | Official figure / status |
|---|---|
| Permanent resident target — 2025 | 395,000 |
| Permanent resident target — 2026 | 380,000 |
| Permanent resident target — 2027 | 365,000 |
| Temporary residents tracked separately | Nearly 3 million |
| Irregular migrants included in targets | No — currently excluded |
| Alberta’s estimated excluded irregular residents (provincial claim) | Up to 500,000 |
Schow’s central argument: “Count everyone who uses services.” He claims ignoring an estimated up to 500,000 people leaves provinces to pick up the tab. Ottawa’s decision on the 2026 plan will show whether that idea gains ground or remains outside the federal math.
This Article in a Nutshell
Alberta’s minister demands Ottawa count up to 500,000 irregular migrants in federal targets, arguing provinces shoulder service costs; Ottawa drafts the 2026 plan amid debate over transparency, funding shortfalls, and whether to align targets with actual residents using health, housing, and education systems.
