As Mark Carney prepares to assume office as Canada’s next Prime Minister, his Liberal Party’s immigration platform signals significant policy shifts aimed at stabilizing population growth while addressing critical labor needs. Here’s what prospective immigrants and stakeholders need to know.
Key Immigration Priorities Under the Carney Liberals
1. Stabilizing Permanent Resident Admissions
The Liberals have committed to capping permanent resident admissions at less than 1% of Canada’s population (approximately 415,000 annually based on current projections). This aligns with existing 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan targets:
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2025: 395,000
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2026: 380,000
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2027: 365,000
“We must adjust immigration numbers to sustainable levels after pandemic-era growth strained housing and infrastructure,” Carney stated during the campaign.
2. Reducing Temporary Resident Population
With temporary residents currently at 7.25% of population (3.02 million), the Liberals aim to reduce this to under 5% by 2027 through:
✔ Maintaining study permit caps
✔ Restricting PGWP and SOWP eligibility
✔ Accelerating PR transitions for eligible temporary residents
3. Boosting Francophone Immigration
New ambitious targets for French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec:
| Year | Target |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 8.5% |
| 2026 | 9.5% |
| 2027 | 10% |
| 2029 | 12% |
4. Economic Immigration Reforms
Planned improvements include:
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Revamped Global Skills Strategy (faster processing for top talent)
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US talent recruitment initiatives
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Enhanced foreign credential recognition
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Startup visa program expansions
Additional Policy Changes
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Digital modernization of application processing
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Increased legal aid for asylum seekers
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Stricter border security and fraud prevention
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Continued special arrangements with Quebec
What This Means for Applicants
For skilled workers:
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Economic immigration remains priority but with more competition
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French-language skills become increasingly valuable
For international students:
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Study permit caps likely to continue
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PGWP eligibility may tighten further
For temporary residents:
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Increased pressure to transition to PR status
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Some may face status expiration without renewal options
“Our approach balances demographic needs with absorption capacity,” Carney emphasized, noting policies will evolve based on housing and infrastructure development.
