Maple News reports that the Liberal Party of Canada has secured victory in the 2025 federal election and is expected to form a minority government. With Mark Carney now poised to become Prime Minister, attention is turning to how the Liberals plan to steer Canada’s immigration policies in the years ahead.
In their 2025 election platform, the Liberals struck a pragmatic tone, acknowledging that previous immigration growth may have pushed the limits of Canada’s housing and social infrastructure. To address this, the party has committed to ‘stabilizing’ permanent resident admissions to less than 1% of Canada’s population annually beyond 2027—a target that aligns with current federal immigration plans.
The most recent Immigration Levels Plan (2025–2027) sets out annual targets of 395,000 new permanent residents in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027. Given Canada’s projected population of 41.5 million in 2025, these figures already fall below the 1% threshold.
The Liberals are also signaling stricter controls on temporary residents, reacting to a dramatic rise in non-permanent immigration. As of January 2025, Canada’s temporary resident population reached approximately 3.02 million—around 7.25% of the national population. This has contributed to wider concerns about housing affordability, access to healthcare, and labor market absorption.
While specifics of the new government’s policies remain to be announced, the overarching message is one of recalibration. The Liberals appear intent on maintaining Canada’s reputation as a top global destination for immigrants, while also managing growth in a way that supports sustainability and long-term social integration.
Observers will be watching closely as Prime Minister-designate Carney outlines his cabinet and early priorities. Given Canada’s dependence on immigration for economic and demographic vitality, the next phase of policy will likely aim to strike a balance between openness and practical capacity.
Maple News will continue to provide updates as new details emerge regarding immigration policy under the 2025 Liberal government.