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Business Standard
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Study permits, work visas under scrutiny in Canada's new immigration plan
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney laid out his immigration plans at his first post-election press conference on May 3, 2025, four days after securing a minority mandate in the April 28 election. With the country facing pressure on housing and public services, the question many had was: What will his government do about immigration? Carney said his government would return immigration to 'sustainable levels' by capping temporary workers and international students at 5 per cent of the total population by 2028, down from the current 7.3 per cent. Carney said the move, originally promised by former immigration minister Marc Miller, would ease pressure on housing and social services. 'Immigration caps will remain until we expand housing and better understand immigration patterns during the pandemic,' he said. Carney criticised the previous Liberal government for allowing immigration to grow rapidly after the pandemic, arguing that the country had not kept pace with housing and support services. 'We have not lived up to the bargain with new immigrants,' he said during his election campaign in March. Also Read The government plans to stabilise the number of permanent residents at less than 1 per cent of Canada's population each year beyond 2027. The Immigration Levels Plan 2025–2027 targets: 395,000 permanent residents in 2025 380,000 in 2026 365,000 in 2027 This represents a sharp reduction from the earlier target of 500,000. According to the government, steady immigration levels will relieve pressure on housing, healthcare, and social services, benefiting both newcomers and Canadian residents. Although the targets were first announced under the Trudeau government, Carney has confirmed his party will stick to them. Temporary residents face new restrictions The number of temporary residents—covering international students, foreign workers, and others—has increased sharply. As of January 2025, there were around 3.02 million temporary residents, accounting for roughly 7.25 per cent of Canada's total population of 41.5 million. Under the new plan, this figure will be cut to under 5 per cent by 2028. The measures include: Capping the number of study permit applications Tightening eligibility for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) Ending Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs) Carney said new applicants would face stricter entry conditions, though some already in Canada would have new opportunities to transition to permanent residency. 'We must build more houses using Canadian skilled workers and Indigenous people,' Carney said, urging political parties to work together. Focus on francophone immigration Carney has also pledged to increase francophone immigration outside Quebec. Targets have been set at: 8.5 per cent in 2025 9.5 per cent in 2026 10 per cent in 2027 The goal is to reach 12 per cent by 2029 to support French-speaking communities across the country. Support for skilled migration Carney said he would revamp the Global Skills Strategy to attract top international talent. The scheme allows businesses to hire skilled foreign workers with two-week work permit processing. Plans are also underway to speed up the recognition of foreign qualifications in collaboration with provinces and territories. The Liberals have promised to modernise immigration systems, reduce processing delays, and improve support for asylum seekers by providing access to legal aid. The party also plans to strengthen border controls, tighten visa screening, and work closely with Quebec to manage regional immigration needs. Darshan Maharaja, a Canada-based immigration analyst, said Carney's platform suggested no drastic changes for prospective immigrants, students, or workers. 'In his election platform, Mark Carney said that he would limit immigration to 1% of the population. He did not mention anything about study permits and foreign workers. The indications are that he would not be making significant changes to the existing policies in this regard,' said Maharaja to Business Standard. "It is therefore unlikely that prospective immigrants, students and workers would find it more difficult to come to Canada than is the case at present," he added. Stephen Warren Green, managing partner at Green and Spiegel LLP, said he expects the government to reassess visa rules. 'The immigration policy would be totally reviewed by the current government. It will be more geared towards specific types of industries and specific types of education pathways,' he told Business Standard. Green said he hoped to see stronger ties between India and Canada. 'It is time that Canada and India further their joint investment opportunities between both countries,' he added.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Canada's Liberal Party plans stable immigration reforms amid federal election win
The Liberal Party of Canada has gained victory in the 2025 federal elections. While it is still unclear whether the party will form a minority or majority government, Mark Carney , as the leader of the Liberals, is expected to be invited by the Governor General to become the next Prime Minister of Canada, according to CIC News. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India stares at a 'water bomb' threat as it freezes Indus Treaty India readies short, mid & long-term Indus River plans Shehbaz Sharif calls India's stand "worn-out narrative" The party's platform outlines several changes in immigration policy aimed at managing population growth while addressing infrastructure and labour needs. As per CIC News, the Liberals intend to bring stability to Canada's immigration system by adjusting both permanent and temporary resident levels in the coming years. The platform states that the previous government allowed immigration levels to rise at an 'unsustainable' pace, creating strain on housing and public services. To address this, the Liberals have committed to 'stabilize permanent admissions at less than 1% of Canada's population annually beyond 2027.' Based on the current Immigration Levels Plan, Canada's permanent resident targets are already under this threshold—395,000 in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027, with the national population projected at 41.5 million. Temporary resident levels have also come under scrutiny. As of January 2025, Canada had an estimated 3.02 million temporary residents, accounting for about 7.25% of the population. The Liberal platform aims to reduce this to below 5% by the end of 2027. This would be done either through temporary residents transitioning to permanent status or leaving as their permits expire. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Former immigration minister Marc Miller had already taken steps to limit temporary residency, including setting a cap on study permit applications and tightening rules for Post-Graduation Work Permits and Spousal Open Work Permits. During a campaign event, Mark Carney said, 'immigration caps will remain in place until we've expanded housing, and we've reabsorbed the levels of immigration that have happened in our country [during the pandemic].' Live Events You Might Also Like: Carney's Liberals in lead after Trudeau's disaster as Canada voters get ready, Ipsos reveals The Liberals also plan to increase francophone immigration outside Quebec to 12% by 2029. This is higher than the current federal targets of 8.5% in 2025, 9.5% in 2026, and 10% in 2027, and aims to strengthen French-speaking communities across Canada. To support the economy, the party wants to update the Global Skills Strategy, a program that helps Canadian employers bring in international talent through fast-track work permit processing. The platform also includes plans to attract skilled workers from the United States and simplify the process of recognizing foreign credentials. The Liberal Party has also made additional promises in its immigration platform. These include using digital tools to reduce processing delays and clear backlogs, providing legal aid to asylum seekers and refugees to ensure timely access to legal advice, and removing failed claimants after due process has been completed. The platform also mentions plans to increase resources for border enforcement, tighten visa screening processes, and continue managing immigration in coordination with the government of Quebec. The Liberals' proposed changes are expected to shape Canada's immigration policy for the next several years, focusing on sustainable growth and better management of infrastructure demands. You Might Also Like: Canada elections: A look at Mark Carney's promises amid anti-Trump wave and trade tensions with US
