Mark Carney Wins Canadian Election: What It Means for Immigration
Mark J. Carney at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 26, 2013. Copyright by World Economic Forum (swiss-image.ch/Photo Moritz Hager)
On This Page, You Will Find:
* Mark Carney’s immigration vision after winning the election
* How temporary immigration will be managed
* What to expect from Immigration Minister Rachel Bendayan
* Who is Mark Carney?
* Frequently asked questions
A New Direction for Immigration Under a Carney Government
Mark Carney led the Liberal Party to victory in Canada’s federal election on Monday, ushering in a new era for immigration policy. With widespread economic concerns and housing shortages influencing voter sentiment, Carney’s pragmatic and data-driven platform resonated across the country.
Immigration emerged as a key issue during the campaign, with Canadians increasingly concerned about the pace of population growth and its impact on infrastructure. Carney responded with a vision of sustainable immigration – one that aligns newcomer intake with Canada’s ability to house, employ, and integrate new arrivals.
His government now begins the task of reforming Canada’s immigration system, with Rachel Bendayan appointed as the new Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Their joint focus: cap temporary admissions, strengthen pathways for permanent residents already in Canada, and prioritise long-term economic outcomes.
1. Tackling Temporary Immigration Growth
One of Carney’s top immigration priorities is to address the rapid growth in temporary residents, which reached 6.2% of Canada’s population in 2024. He plans to reduce that figure to 5% by 2027.
International Students
Carney has identified that many post-secondary institutions have over-enrolled international students without ensuring adequate housing or employment outcomes. This has placed added pressure on rental markets and urban infrastructure.
To address this, his government will:
* Cap international student permits based on regional housing and employment capacity.
* Increase oversight of institutions relying heavily on foreign enrolments.
* Implement stronger accountability mechanisms for post-secondary schools, including the possibility of revoking Designated Learning Institution (DLI) status.
Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs)
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program has also come under review. Carney has argued that it is being used by businesses to avoid investing in automation, productivity improvements, or local workforce training.
Under his leadership, expect:
* Stricter eligibility for TFWs, limited to sectors with documented labour shortages such as healthcare, clean energy, and agriculture.
* Employer requirements to contribute to language training and subsidised housing.
* Increased audits and compliance measures to reduce abuse and exploitation.
2. Aligning Immigration with Economic Capacity
Carney’s immigration plan relies heavily on real-time data to shape intake targets. Instead of setting static multi-year levels, his government will conduct quarterly reviews of:
* Housing Supply: New construction and rental availability in each province.
* Public Services: Load capacity in hospitals, public schools, transit systems, and social support programs.
* Labour Market Demand: Provincial and sectoral labour gaps, informed by employer groups and regulatory bodies.
These reviews will inform annual and regional allocation of permanent residence spots, improving coordination between federal and provincial immigration programs.
Carney’s goal is to avoid mismatches between immigrant arrivals and local infrastructure readiness. He has said Canada must remain open to newcomers, but “immigration must not outpace our ability to settle people successfully.”
3. Strengthening Economic Integration for Skilled Workers
A core part of Carney’s platform is improving economic outcomes for skilled immigrants. He has signalled reforms to the points-based Express Entry system and other economic streams.
Key reforms include:
* Higher Language Proficiency Standards: Especially for regulated occupations such as healthcare, finance, and engineering.
* Pre-Arrival Credential Recognition: To reduce delays and underemployment among newcomers in skilled professions.
* Regional Incentives: Tax breaks and settlement support for immigrants who choose to live in rural or smaller urban centres outside of Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.
Carney views immigration as a tool to enhance Canada’s productivity. His policies aim to match skills with shortages and improve job alignment for newcomers.
What to Expect from Immigration Minister Rachel Bendayan
Rachel Bendayan was appointed Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship in March 2025, shortly before the election. She replaced Marc Miller, a close ally of Justin Trudeau.
Bendayan is a Montreal MP representing the riding of Outremont. She comes from a Moroccan-Jewish family and has degrees in Law and International Development from McGill University. She previously served in various roles within the Trudeau government and has a strong legal background, particularly in international trade.
Her appointment signals both continuity and change. While she supports many of the structural reforms introduced under Marc Miller, she is expected to:
* Maintain a policy-driven and legally structured approach to immigration.
* Expand French-speaking immigration initiatives, particularly for Quebec and other francophone minority communities.
* Streamline PR pathways for temporary residents already in Canada.
One of the most closely watched areas under Bendayan’s leadership will be international student policy. Major reforms were already introduced in 2024, including:
* A national cap on study permits.
* Tightened eligibility for post-graduate work permits.
* New limits on DLIs accepting international students.
Bendayan is expected to enforce these rules strictly while working with provincial governments to increase student housing and reduce dependency on foreign tuition revenue.
Institutions will likely face increased compliance checks, and some may lose DLI status if they fail to meet new benchmarks.
Permanent Residency and Work Permits
Bendayan will oversee reforms aimed at making permanent residency more accessible to people already in Canada. This includes:
* PR pathways tailored to those on valid work or study permits.
* Adjusted points systems that reward Canadian experience and education.
* Stricter caps on new temporary foreign worker entries.
Work permits will also be redesigned to better align with verified labour shortages, and employers may need to show a greater commitment to worker integration.
Who Is Mark Carney?
Before entering politics, Mark Carney was a globally respected economist and central banker. He was born in the Northwest Territories and raised in Alberta, studied at Harvard and Oxford, and spent more than a decade in international finance.
He served as Governor of the Bank of Canada during the 2008 financial crisis, where he was credited with helping the country avoid the worst of the global recession. Later, as Governor of the Bank of England, he helped steer the UK economy through the uncertainty of Brexit.
Carney entered Canadian politics in 2023 and became leader of the Liberal Party in early 2025. His campaign focused on steady leadership in the face of growing economic and geopolitical instability. He quickly gained support for his detailed and pragmatic policy proposals—especially on housing and immigration.
Conclusion
Mark Carney’s victory signals a new era in Canadian immigration policy. With Rachel Bendayan at the helm of IRCC, the Liberal government is set to pursue a pragmatic, data-driven approach that balances population growth with economic and social infrastructure. While the country remains open to immigration, the pace and structure of admissions will be more carefully managed than in previous years.
Newcomers, institutions, and employers should prepare for more accountability, higher integration standards, and a greater emphasis on long-term economic contribution. As these changes unfold, Canada’s immigration system will likely become more selective, but also more efficient and responsive to national needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Rachel Bendayan?
Rachel Bendayan is Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. She represents the riding of Outremont in Montreal and brings legal and policy expertise to her role. Her leadership is expected to reinforce structure and enforceability in immigration programs.
Will international student policies change further?
While no new caps have been announced yet, the existing policies will remain in force. Bendayan is likely to introduce stricter compliance measures for institutions and increase accountability for housing and job placement support.
What will happen to temporary foreign worker permits?
Permits will be increasingly tied to labour market demand. Employers in sectors like healthcare may receive prioritised access, but they will also be expected to offer housing and language support to hired workers.
Will it be easier to get permanent residency if I’m already in Canada?
Yes. Both Carney and Bendayan have signalled a preference for transitioning international students and workers already in Canada to PR. Points systems will be adjusted to reward Canadian work or education experience.
What is the overall immigration direction under the new Liberal government?
The focus will be on sustainable growth, better economic outcomes, and fairness for those already in Canada. Temporary intake will slow slightly, but Canada will remain committed to welcoming newcomers who meet the country’s long-term needs.
Colin R. Singer, Managing Partner of immigration.ca, is a licensed immigration lawyer in Canada with Barreau du Quebec, for the past 35+ years.
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