As Canada approaches the 2025 federal election, Canada immigration policy has taken center stage in national debates. Both the Liberal and Conservative parties have outlined sharply contrasting approaches to managing immigration, reflecting divergent priorities and visions for the country’s future. With growing public concern over affordability, infrastructure, and housing, these policies may significantly shape the next phase of Immigration Canada's direction.

Permanent Resident Admissions

Liberal Party:
Under the leadership of Mark Carney, the Liberals have acknowledged that previous Canada immigration levels grew too rapidly, placing strain on housing, healthcare, and other services. In response, the party proposes to stabilize Canada PR admissions at under 1% of the population annually beyond 2027. The goal is to maintain a sustainable system while still attracting top global talent through targeted Canada visa programs.

Conservative Party:
Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative Party supports reducing Canada PR admissions to levels last seen under Stephen Harper — between 240,000 and 285,000 annually. Their plan focuses on balancing immigration levels with housing availability, job creation, and healthcare services, arguing for a “realistic and economically aligned” Canada immigration strategy.

Temporary Foreign Workers and International Students

Liberal Party:
The Liberals have committed to reducing the share of temporary residents — including foreign workers and international students — to less than 5% of the population by the end of 2027. This policy would directly impact those applying for Canada visas for work or study, as the government works to alleviate pressure on public services and infrastructure.

Conservative Party:
The Conservatives propose a stricter cap on temporary resident streams, citing fraud and abuse in certain Canada visa programs. They aim to enhance enforcement, close loopholes, and expedite the removal of individuals in violation of their Canada immigration status. They argue that this will restore integrity and public confidence in Immigration Canada systems.

Economic Immigration and Credential Recognition

Liberal Party:
The Liberals plan to overhaul the Global Skills Strategy to fast-track Canada visa processing for highly skilled workers, especially in sectors facing labor shortages. Additionally, they propose better recognition of international credentials — a frequent challenge for newcomers seeking Canada PR — to help integrate foreign-trained professionals into the workforce.

Conservative Party:
The Conservatives also back economic immigration but want a more merit-based model, prioritizing sectors like tech, engineering, and healthcare. Their standout proposal includes a 60-day timeline to license qualified professionals, streamlining their transition into the workforce post-Canada PR landing.

Francophone Immigration

Liberal Party:
To strengthen French-speaking communities outside Quebec, the Liberals plan to increase francophone immigration to 10% of total admissions by 2027 and 12% by 2029. This supports regional development while promoting linguistic diversity across Canada immigration programs.

Conservative Party:
Although their platform doesn’t directly address francophone immigration, the Conservatives emphasize regional distribution. Their Canada immigration strategy could inadvertently benefit underpopulated francophone communities by directing newcomers to areas most in need of population growth.

Border Security and Irregular Migration

Liberal Party:
While the current Liberal platform lacks new border-specific initiatives, past measures include restricting Canada visa eligibility in certain streams and capping international student numbers. These steps aim to control temporary resident levels and reduce unplanned entries, keeping the system manageable for Immigration Canada.

Conservative Party:
The Conservatives pledge to crack down on irregular migration by closing unofficial entry points, such as Roxham Road, and tightening border security overall. They plan to modernize screening systems to better enforce Canada visa compliance and preserve national security.

Public Sentiment and Political Implications

Public opinion remains sharply divided. A recent Mainstreet Research poll showed that 44% of Canadians believe current Canada immigration levels are too high, while 15% believe they’re too low. This polarization reflects growing concern about affordability and competition for public resources. As voters prepare for the ballot box, the choice between the Liberal and Conservative visions for Immigration Canada could shape the country’s population growth, economic vitality, and global reputation for years to come.

Bottom Line: Whether it’s about scaling back or modernizing the system, both parties agree on one point — Canada must rethink how it manages Canada PR, Canada visa applications, and temporary programs to meet future challenges. The 2025 election will be pivotal in determining the next chapter for Canada immigration.

Do I need to hire an immigration consultant if I apply for permanent residence?

You’re not required to hire an immigration consultant to apply for permanent residence, but having one can offer some key benefits.

Whether you complete and submit the application on your own or with help from an immigration professional, your chances of success remain the same—assuming the application is equally strong.

That said, an experienced and trustworthy Canadian immigration consultant can assist you in creating the strongest possible permanent residence (PR) application. They can also offer strategic advice to help you navigate the immigration journey with ease.

A qualified immigration consultant can also:

Recommend the most suitable immigration program within the immigration system;
Assist in gathering and organizing the necessary documents and information for a solid PR application;
Make sure your application is accurate and avoids errors or misrepresentation; and
Help address any unexpected issues that may come up during the process.

Ultimately, the real value in hiring an immigration consultant lies not in having them fill out forms, but in the tailored guidance and expertise they provide throughout your immigration journey.

Canada's 2025 Election: A Deep Dive into Liberal and Conservative Immigration Policies