Mark Carney’s Government Set to Overhaul Canada’s Immigration Policy

Following a decisive victory in the 2025 federal election, Mark Carney and the Liberal Party are preparing to reshape Canada’s immigration policies in what could be one of the most significant overhauls in recent years.

With concerns growing over housing shortages, strained public services, and economic integration, Carney is signaling a more measured and sustainable approach to managing the country’s immigration system.

Central to the Liberals’ agenda is the goal of stabilizing permanent immigration levels to ensure they align with Canada’s capacity to absorb new arrivals. The party aims to keep the number of permanent residents admitted annually below one percent of the national population beyond 2027.

This strategy reflects growing recognition that the previous government’s immigration policies led to levels of intake that many deemed unsustainable. By taking a more cautious route, the Carney-led government hopes to ease pressure on key systems while still welcoming talent and families from around the world.

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Temporary immigration is also under review. The Liberals plan to reduce the proportion of temporary residents in Canada to less than five percent of the population by the end of 2027.

This reduction will be accomplished by encouraging temporary residents to transition to permanent status where appropriate, or by allowing permits to expire without renewal.

Carney has stressed that such caps will remain in place until infrastructure—particularly housing—has expanded enough to accommodate population growth driven by migration.

As part of its broader vision, the Liberal platform includes an ambitious plan to boost francophone immigration outside of Quebec.

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The goal is to increase the presence of French-speaking newcomers across the country, enhancing linguistic diversity and strengthening minority language communities, particularly in provinces where French is less dominant.

To support the needs of Canada’s economy, the party has pledged to enhance the Global Skills Strategy, enabling Canadian businesses to recruit global talent through streamlined and faster work permit processing. At the same time, the immigration system itself is slated for modernization.

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The Liberals promise to invest in digital tools and automation, which will help reduce processing delays, cut down backlogs, and improve service delivery for applicants and officials alike.

Beyond economic considerations, the Liberal Party’s platform emphasizes fairness and security. There is a commitment to expanding legal aid for asylum seekers and refugees, ensuring they receive timely legal guidance throughout the claims process.

Failed asylum claimants will continue to be removed, but only after a fair and thorough process is complete. In parallel, the government will tighten visa screening protocols and bolster border enforcement to enhance public confidence in the immigration system.

Carney has also voiced his intent to collaborate closely with the Government of Quebec to ensure federal immigration plans respect the province’s unique demographic and cultural considerations.

Taken together, these proposals point to a more balanced and thoughtful immigration system—one that seeks to preserve Canada’s identity as an open and welcoming country while responding to the challenges of a rapidly changing global and domestic landscape. Under Carney’s leadership, Canada’s immigration future looks poised for transformation grounded in sustainability, inclusivity, and long-term planning.