Maple News reports that three weeks after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called a snap federal election, the Liberal Party is trailing the Conservatives in the latest national polls. Led by Erin O’Toole, the Conservatives have held the lead since last week, signaling a shift in voter sentiment ahead of the September 20 election.
According to recent data, 33% of decided and leaning voters say they would support the Conservative Party, while 30% back the governing Liberals. Notably, Trudeau’s approval ratings have dropped steadily throughout 2021—from 50% in January to just 38% in August, according to the Angus Reid Institute.
The outcome of the election has major implications for Canada’s immigration system. Historically dominated by the Liberals and Conservatives, Canada’s government also includes smaller parties in this election cycle such as the Bloc Québécois, the New Democratic Party (NDP), and the Green Party. However, the primary debate around immigration continues to center on the two leading parties.
Both the Liberal and Conservative platforms emphasize modernizing Canada’s immigration system. The Liberals have already implemented a digital portal for immigration applications, and their campaign promises include eliminating citizenship application fees, tackling the backlog of applications, and expanding access to permanent residency for temporary foreign workers and recent international graduates.
The Conservatives, meanwhile, propose introducing a fee-for-expedited-processing option for immigration applicants. They also aim to increase oversight of immigration officers and boost cultural competency within the system. Credential recognition, often a barrier for newcomers seeking employment in their fields, is another priority for the Conservative platform.
One significant policy difference lies in family reunification. The Liberals have maintained a lottery-based selection system for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), while the Conservatives pledge to replace this with a first-come, first-served approach—one they argue would be more transparent and efficient.
Ultimately, the election’s winner will have the authority to shape the national conversation on immigration. While immigration policymaking is shared between the federal and provincial governments in Canada, the Constitution grants stronger control to the federal level, making the results of this election critical for newcomers and the future of immigration policy.
With the campaign heating up, immigration remains a central issue that could influence voter turnout and define the next chapter of Canada’s growth strategy in a post-pandemic world.