By Mata Press Service

Immigration has surged to the forefront of Canadian political discourse following Prime Minister Mark Carney's announcement this week of a snap federal election set for April 28.

As political parties scramble to fine-tune their platforms, immigration has emerged as a pivotal issue in the national debate.

Carney, who recently assumed leadership of the Liberal Party from Justin Trudeau, is capitalizing on a surge in public support.

This momentum is partly fueled by apprehension over Donald Trump's return to the U.S. presidency and concerns about Canada potentially following the global trend towards right-wing populism.

Carney's campaign aims to distinguish his vision from that of his predecessor.

One of Carney's initial significant actions as prime minister was the removal of long-standing Trudeau ally Marc Miller from the position of Immigration Minister, replacing him with Rachel Bendayan—a symbolic break from the past and an indication of shifting priorities.

This shift is already evident. While the Liberal government initially championed an ambitious immigration agenda, nearly doubling permanent resident targets from 260,000 in 2015 to 500,000 by 2025, public sentiment has shifted.

Amidst a cost-of-living crisis, soaring inflation, and an overwhelmed housing market, Canadians are increasingly questioning the country's capacity to sustain such rapid population growth.

By 2023, population growth was shattering records. Statistics Canada reported an unprecedented increase of 430,635 people over just three months—a 1.1% surge and the fastest growth rate since the post-war baby boom in 19573.

However, public opinion was moving in the opposite direction.

Caught in this political maelstrom, the Liberals executed a dramatic reversal.

Before his replacement, Miller slashed international student numbers by one-third and imposed a temporary cap on student visas to alleviate housing demand.

In an even more striking pivot, he reduced Canada's annual permanent resident target to 365,000 by 2027, significantly below previous Liberal commitments.

Critics have labeled this one of the government's most remarkable U-turns, second only to the rollback of the consumer carbon tax.

Carney's recent decision to add an advocate from a controversial pro-growth population lobby – the Century Initiative - to his US-Canada advisory council has only intensified scrutiny.

Despite these measures, many Canadians perceive immigration as still spiraling out of control.

The next federal government—whether led by Carney's Liberals or Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives—will face immense pressure to overhaul Canada's immigration system.

As the April 28 election approaches, immigration has transcended mere policy debate. It has become a litmus test for how Canada envisions its future—economically, socially, and demographically.

Here's where the leaders of each major political party stand on immigration ahead of the vote, according to the founder of immigration.ca, Colin Singer, a veteran immigration lawyer based in Quebec.

Liberal Party of Canada – Mark Carney
The Liberals have pledged to admit 395,000 new permanent residents in 2025. Carney is backing this goal, positioning immigration as a pillar of economic resilience and national prosperity.

Key Liberal initiatives:

• Emphasis on economic-class immigrants through Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program

• Smoother transitions from temporary residency to permanent status

• Ongoing commitment to family reunification and refugee resettlement

• Boosting regional and rural immigration streams

Carney has characterized immigration as a strength that reinforces Canada's role on the world stage.

Conservative Party of Canada – Pierre Poilievre
Poilievre supports immigration for skilled workers but believes the current pace is unsustainable without expanded housing and infrastructure. The Conservatives say their approach will ensure Canada’s immigration system works within the country’s capacity.

Conservative immigration plans:

• A temporary decrease in immigration numbers

• Focus on attracting skilled talent and accelerating foreign credential recognition

• Reducing application backlogs and wait times

• Enhanced border controls and immigration enforcement

The party advocates for immigration policies aligned with economic realities and service availability.

New Democratic Party (NDP) – Jagmeet Singh
The NDP promotes a people-first immigration model that addresses systemic exploitation and prioritizes inclusion. Singh has called for wide-ranging reforms to protect vulnerable newcomers.

NDP proposals:

• Permanent status for undocumented residents in Canada

• Phasing out exploitative temporary worker programs

• Expanding refugee intakes and settlement assistance

• Streamlined family reunification processes

The NDP supports increased permanent immigration and better citizenship pathways.

Bloc Québécois – Yves-François Blanchet
The Bloc champions Quebec's autonomy in immigration matters. The party argues federal policies often overlook Quebec's cultural and linguistic considerations.

Bloc’s immigration priorities:

• Full provincial control over immigration decisions

• Preference for French-speaking applicants

• Stable or lower immigration levels depending on integration capacity

• Tighter French language requirements for newcomers

The Bloc’s stance is centered on safeguarding Quebec’s distinct identity.

Green Party of Canada – Elizabeth May & Jonathan Pedneault
The Greens advocate for an ethical and sustainable immigration system, including forward-thinking policies to address climate-driven migration.

Green Party policies:

• Welcoming individuals displaced by climate-related crises

• Phasing out immigration detention practices

• Expanding access to housing and integration support services

• Simplifying the path to permanent residency for students and workers

The Green platform highlights Canada’s moral duty in global migration matters.

Meanwhile, new government data shows that in 2024, Canada denied a record 2.36 million temporary resident visa applications, marking an unprecedented 50% rejection rate—a substantial increase from 35% in the previous year. This surge in rejections spans across various visa categories:

• Visitor visas: 1.95 million applications denied (54% rejection rate)

• Study permits: 52% of applications rejected

• Work permits: 22% refusal rate

Immigration experts said these high rejection rates reflect the government's intensified efforts to prevent potential overstays and enforce stricter eligibility criteria, especially for international students.