Maple News reports that Canada’s federal election slated for September 20 will play a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s immigration policy for years to come. As immigration falls under shared federal and provincial jurisdiction, the federal government—primarily through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)—holds significant influence over how many newcomers arrive and how settlement strategies are implemented.
The political party that forms government after this election will define the strategic direction for Canada’s immigration system. Since IRCC receives its mandate and policy priorities from the ruling party, the outcome of the vote will carry long-term immigration implications. This includes decisions on immigration levels, processing timelines, and funding for settlement services across the country.
During the transition period following the election, IRCC and provincial governments will maintain current immigration operations, such as Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). While ongoing application processing and routine operations will continue, major policy shifts and new initiatives typically pause until a new mandate is issued.
The newly elected government is expected to take a few weeks to appoint cabinet members, including the new immigration minister if there is a change. Once appointed, the Prime Minister will issue a mandate letter outlining the minister’s key priorities. This document will guide Canada’s immigration strategy and heavily influence IRCC’s direction for the next term. Historically, this process—cabinet appointment and mandate issuance—wraps up within one to two months post-election.
If the Liberal Party secures another term, it’s possible that Marco Mendicino may continue in his role as Immigration Minister. In that case, current mandates focusing on economic immigration, refugee resettlement, and family reunification may carry forward with minimal disruption. Conversely, a new governing party could introduce marked changes to Canada’s immigration framework.
One of the hallmark policy announcements expected after the election is the 2022–2024 Immigration Levels Plan, a roadmap for how many immigrants Canada plans to admit each year and through which categories. Although this announcement typically occurs by November 1, election years often push the release into the first quarter of the following year. Based on past elections in 2015 and 2019, Maple News anticipates the full plan could be unveiled by March 2022. Regardless of timing, the plan is projected to reaffirm Canada’s goal of welcoming over 400,000 immigrants annually.
Until a new administration is in place and mandate letters are assigned, policy stability and continuity will remain the default within Canada’s immigration programs. However, prospective immigrants and stakeholders should closely monitor post-election developments, as the new government’s stance will shape Canada’s immigration landscape for the foreseeable future.