The Trudeau government has tabled new targets which show the Liberals aim to maintain its target of welcoming 500,000 new permanent residents in 2026.

Immigration targets have risen steadily in recent years.

The Liberals are on the way to grant permanent residency to 465,000 this year, a number that would climb to 485,000 next year, then 500,000 by 2025.

The country’s population grew by a record 1,000,000 last year, then topped the 40,000,000 mark earlier this year.

Ottawa’s under pressure to respond to worries over raising the annual target amid an affordable housing crunch and high cost of living.