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OTTAWA — The Liberal government has cut the number of skilled foreign workers it will allow into Canada this year to make room for a huge influx of Syrian refugees, immigrant spouses and children.

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Immigration Minister John McCallum says the reduction in economic immigrants is a “temporary pause” that will have minimal impact on Canada’s well-being and prosperity. But the move has nonetheless raised concerns from business groups about the Liberals’ long-term plans for immigration.

At the same time, the government could face a backlash from some ethnic communities for not letting more immigrant parents and grandparents into Canada to be reunited with their families.

McCallum announced the changes at an event in Brampton, Ont., on Tuesday, only a short distance from where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled his party’s immigration policy during last year’s federal election campaign.

McCallum touted the fact that Canada will be aiming for the first time in history to accept more than 300,000 immigrants in a single year. That represents an increase of 20,000 from 2015.

“It is the highest number of projected immigrant admissions put forth by the government of Canada in modern times,” he said, adding that the government’s plan “is grounded in the shared conviction and in our history of compassion.