Liberals Set to Shape Canada Immigration Future After 2025 Election Win

Following the results of the 2025 federal election, the Liberal Party of Canada is set to form a minority government, with Mark Carney expected to become the country’s next Prime Minister. While it remains to be seen how specific immigration policies will unfold, the Liberal campaign platform offers a roadmap.

From stabilizing immigration levels to tackling housing pressures and enhancing support for Francophone communities, the Liberals have laid out several key goals aimed at balancing population growth with Canada’s economic and social needs.

Approach that the Liberal Party will Follow

A central approach in the Liberals' immigration strategy is to “stabilize” the intake of Canada permanent residents. Acknowledging that the previous government's immigration growth was “unsustainable,” the Liberals propose capping annual permanent resident admissions at less than 1% of Canada’s total population beyond 2027.

This approach aligns with Canada’s current Immigration Levels Plan, which targets 395,000 new permanent residents in 2025, followed by gradual reductions to 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027. With Canada’s population projected to reach 41.5 million in 2025, these numbers already fall below the 1% threshold, suggesting a focus on maintaining rather than expanding the current rate.

Reducing the Temporary Resident Population

The temporary resident population in Canada comprising international students, temporary foreign workers, and visitors has grown rapidly in recent years, totaling approximately 3.02 million as of January 2025. This represents roughly 7.25% of the national population.

The Liberals aim to bring that figure down to under 5% by the end of 2027, citing sustainability concerns. To achieve this, the party plans to continue policies aimed at limiting the influx of temporary residents while facilitating transitions to permanent residency where appropriate.

These efforts build on previous measures introduced by the Liberal government under Marc Miller, including caps on study permit applications and tighter rules for eligibility to Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) and Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs).

Boosting Francophone Immigration

Another key priority is to enhance the presence of French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec. The Liberals propose raising the francophone immigration target to 12% by 2029. The initiative seeks to strengthen French-speaking communities across the country and respond to the demographic and workforce needs of francophone minority regions.

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Strengthening Economic Immigration Pathways

The Liberals also plan to revamp Canada’s Global Skills Strategy, a federal program designed to expedite the work permit process for highly skilled foreign workers. By enhancing this program, the government hopes to attract top-tier global talent, particularly in high-growth industries and technology sectors.

The platform also includes a promise to collaborate with provinces and territories to improve the recognition of international credentials and professional experience, reducing barriers for skilled newcomers to work in their fields.

Additional Promises and Policy Tools

The Liberals’ plan includes several other policy proposals focused on immigration system efficiency, security, and fairness:

• Digital transformation: Investing in digital service tools to reduce immigration application processing times and eliminate backlogs.

• Legal support for asylum seekers: Expanding legal aid access so asylum claimants receive timely guidance and fair hearings.

• Border enforcement: Increasing resources for border security, tightening visa requirements, and improving enforcement to deter immigration fraud.
• Due process for failed asylum claims: Pledging to remove failed asylum seekers once due legal processes have been followed though this mirrors existing policy and lacks detail on changes.

• Shared governance with Quebec: Reaffirming that immigration will continue to be administered in partnership with Quebec, which has its own immigration jurisdiction.

Conclusion

Overall, the Liberal Party's immigration platform reflects a cautious approach focused on restoring balance after years of rapid population growth. Key themes include sustainability, integration, and responsiveness to labor market needs.

By aiming to stabilize Canada Immigration Levels 2025-2027, reduce the temporary resident population, and enhance support for skilled and francophone newcomers, the Liberals seek to manage Canada’s demographic and economic challenges in a more measured way.

As Mark Carney prepares to assume the role of Prime Minister, all eyes will be on how quickly and effectively the new government can deliver on its promises and how these changes will shape Canada’s immigration system in the years ahead.

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