Immigration Announcement
How the Liberal Minority Government Plans to Reshape Canada Immigration Policy in 2025
Following their victory in the 2025 federal election, the Liberal Party of Canada is set to form a minority government. Under the leadership of Mark Carney, the party has signaled a more controlled and measured approach to immigration. With housing shortages and overburdened public services dominating national discussions, immigration reforms are taking center stage. The next phase of Canada’s immigration framework aims to manage population inflows without losing sight of economic goals or regional demographic needs.
This shift is not about halting immigration, but about aligning it more closely with Canada’s infrastructure, labour force capacity, and integration systems. The new direction promises to influence not just the volume of newcomers, but also the pathways, processing methods, and regional priorities.
Permanent Resident Admissions to Be Stabilized
A key focus of the Liberal platform is stabilizing permanent resident (PR) admissions. The plan is to keep annual PR intakes under 1% of Canada’s total population beyond the year 2027. This is consistent with the Immigration Levels Plan 2025–2027, which already forecasts a downward trend in new admissions: 395,000 in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027. With Canada’s population projected at 41.5 million in 2025, these targets fall within the newly proposed threshold.
This approach seeks to ease demand on housing markets and critical services, especially in major cities. It also reflects a strategic effort to allow existing systems to adjust after years of record-high immigration levels during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reducing the Proportion of Temporary Residents
Canada currently hosts over 3 million temporary residents—about 7.25% of its population. The Liberal Party plans to reduce this to below 5% by the end of 2027. This group includes international students, temporary foreign workers, and others on limited-duration permits.
Several policy tools will be used to support this objective. These include capping study permit applications, narrowing eligibility for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs), and limiting access to Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs). The transition of eligible temporary residents into permanent residence will continue to be encouraged, while others will exit the country upon expiry of their status.
Mark Carney has emphasized that these measures will remain until Canada’s housing supply expands and existing pressures on services are reduced. The intent is not to restrict opportunities, but to manage demand in a way that ensures newcomers can thrive.
Canada Immigration Policy to Support Francophone Growth Outside Quebec
Francophone immigration remains a clear priority. The Liberal platform proposes raising the share of francophone immigrants outside Quebec to 12% by 2029. This builds on existing federal targets of 8.5% in 2025, 9.5% in 2026, and 10% in 2027.
This policy supports the vitality of minority French-speaking communities across Canada, particularly in regions like Ontario and New Brunswick. It also serves economic purposes, by helping fill labour gaps in education, health care, and public administration where bilingualism is valued.
Incentivizing French-speaking immigrants through dedicated programs and faster processing channels will likely be part of the implementation strategy.
Boosting Economic Immigration and Attracting Global Talent
Economic immigration will remain a pillar of the new Canada immigration policy. The Liberals have committed to revamping the Global Skills Strategy—a program that offers two-week work permit processing for in-demand professionals. The update is expected to include provisions aimed at helping high-growth Canadian companies bring in skilled talent more efficiently.
In addition, there are plans to enhance pathways for entrepreneurs, tech workers, and professionals currently based in the U.S. These measures align with broader efforts to strengthen innovation and productivity in Canada.
Another significant policy goal involves working with provinces and territories to accelerate the recognition of international credentials. By improving how foreign education and experience are evaluated, the government hopes to reduce employment gaps for skilled newcomers.
Additional Measures and Operational Reforms
The Liberal Party has outlined several other reforms that could impact the immigration landscape. These include deploying more digital tools to streamline processing, eliminate application backlogs, and improve transparency for applicants. Support for asylum seekers and refugees will be increased, with an emphasis on expanding access to legal aid and ensuring faster case resolution.
At the same time, border enforcement will be strengthened, with stricter visa rules and new efforts to combat immigration fraud. These actions aim to preserve public confidence in the system while ensuring fairness and efficiency.
Notably, immigration will continue to be treated as a shared responsibility with Quebec, which operates its own selection system for many programs. Collaboration between federal and provincial governments will remain critical in implementing reforms.
A Calibrated Strategy for the Future
The Liberal minority government’s approach to Canada immigration policy reflects a shift toward recalibration rather than restriction. By stabilizing PR levels, reducing temporary residence proportions, and supporting targeted growth in francophone and economic streams, the plan aims to create a more sustainable and responsive immigration system.
These proposed changes suggest a careful balancing act: maintaining Canada’s position as a global destination while ensuring infrastructure, services, and communities are not overstretched. As reforms roll out, applicants, consultants, and stakeholders alike will need to adapt to a more selective and strategic system.
Stay connected with Canada Immigration News for the latest updates and expert insight on how these developments could shape your immigration journey.
