Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Canada needs more immigrants but the Conservative leader stopped short of setting specific target numbers.
Harper made the comments following a speech in Mississauga, Ont., where he announced changes to streamline the immigration system.
"Well I think we need more," Harper said when asked by a reporter if his government would increase the number of immigrants entering Canada.
But Harper appeared cool to the idea of setting specific target numbers, saying the previous Liberal government set targets that were never met.
"Just having a number out there I don't think matters," he said.
Harper said it's more important to make sure applications are processed quickly.
This week, Immigration Minister Monte Solberg seemed to hint that the previous government's target of 300,000 new immigrants to Canada each year was too high.
Harper also announced the federal government will introduce a bill to ease restrictions on foreign adoptions, making it easier for children overseas to become Canadian citizens.
The prime minister reiterated the government's plan to immediately cut the immigrant landing fee from $975 to $490.
"The so-called user fee is just a tax by another name," he said.
He also said the government would create an agency to help recognize foreign credentials of immigrants.