Canada’s Carney Looks to Ease System Strain
Canada to implement changes to its immigration policy to address growing strain on public infrastructure, Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed following the Liberal Party’s 2025 federal election win.
The plan includes lowering temporary resident levels, stabilising permanent immigration targets, and aligning immigration with the country’s capacity to support newcomers.
Carney, who formally succeeded Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader in 2024, said during the campaign that immigration policy needed to “get back on track” after what he described as an “unsustainable” increase in newcomers during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Immigration News Canada (INC),
The Liberals’ plan focuses on permanent residency stabilisation, reduction of temporary resident numbers, economic immigration, and support for francophone communities.
Stabilising Permanent Residency Admissions
As reported, the Liberal platform commits to capping permanent resident (PR) admissions at less than 1% of the population annually beyond 2027. This maintains the current government targets of 395,000 PRs in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027, all below the 1% threshold of Canada’s projected 2025 population of 41.5 million.
The Liberals’ approach contrasts with earlier targets under Justin Trudeau’s leadership, which aimed to reach 500,000 annual PR admissions by 2025. INC cites that the reduction, first announced by former Immigration Minister Marc Miller in 2024, was in response to housing and infrastructure concerns.
Carney’s administration plans to maintain this approach.
“We’re focused on matching immigration with the country’s capacity to support it,” he said.
The plan includes a significant allocation for applicants already in Canada, including 82,980 PR spots in 2025, or 36% of the economic immigration target.
Temporary Resident Levels to Be Reduced
Canada had over 3 million temporary residents in early 2025, about 7.25% of the total population. Reports inform that the Liberals aim to lower this to under 5% by the end of 2027. Measures to achieve this include letting permits expire without renewal and facilitating the transition to permanent status for selected individuals.
This policy follows previous Liberal actions to manage temporary immigration, including caps on study permit applications and restrictions on post-graduation and spousal work permits.
“Immigration caps will remain in place until we’ve expanded housing and reabsorbed the levels of immigration that have happened in our country,” Carney stated.
This adjustment could affect new international applicants, but may benefit temporary residents already in Canada, who will have clearer pathways to permanent status.
Focus on Economic Immigration and Skills Recognition
Economic immigration will remain central to the government’s strategy. The Liberals plan to enhance the Global Skills Strategy and assist high-growth sectors in attracting talent.
They also propose working with provinces to simplify recognition of foreign credentials, especially in sectors facing worker shortages. By 2027, reports inform that economic immigration is projected to account for nearly 62% of total PR admissions.
Efficiency, Security, and Fairness in Immigration
Other proposed changes include:
- Digitising application processes to reduce delays
- Improving legal aid access for asylum seekers
- Collaborating with the United States on border management
Carney also announced plans to increase enforcement against immigration fraud and expedite the removal of failed asylum claimants, while continuing to respect Quebec’s control over its immigration intake.
Public Opinion
Recent polls show that many Canadians are worried about the pressure high immigration is putting on housing and services. A 2025 Angus Reid survey found that most people support lowering immigration numbers.
The Liberal Party’s plan aims to address these concerns while still using immigration to help with Canada’s aging population and job market needs.
Outlook for Immigrants and Canadians
The changes present both opportunities and challenges. Temporary residents may find new paths to PR, while new applicants may face stricter criteria. Skilled workers and francophone applicants will likely see expanded opportunities.
