Canadian Conservative Party Weighs in on Upcoming Immigration Levels Plan

How much, you ask? Well, they couldn’t say exactly.

Their demands extend beyond the number of people admitted. They also want provinces to have more influence over immigration targets, stronger action against fraud, better tracking of departures, and changes to new Express Entry job offer rules.

Key takeaways:

• The Conservative party’s Immigration Critic Michelle Rempel Garner says historically high immigration levels are still causing significant problems in Canada.
• She also accused the liberal government of cooking the books and admitting high levels of permanent residents to line the pockets of corporations, without offering proof of these claims.

Before we get into the specific requests of the Conservative party about Canada’s Immigration Levels, we wanted to clarify that these are merely requests. They are not changes that are coming and, frankly, given the timing (and that the Immigration Levels are likely already decided for 2027), they’re not likely to be implemented unless those changes were already in motion. 

Dane recently explored whether it’s possible we’ll see an increase in immigration levels plans for 2027 in a video:

Back to the Conservative party, here’s what they asked for:

Lower immigration levels, without a specific target

The clearest Conservative demand is a substantial reduction in immigration.

“We will dramatically lower levels so that housing, healthcare, and jobs can catch up,” the party says in the remarks.

The Conservatives argue that immigration targets should reflect the homes, healthcare, school spaces, and employment opportunities available to support people arriving in Canada. They also frame lower levels as a way to improve outcomes for newcomers who face expensive housing and difficulty finding suitable work.

However, they do not say how far targets should fall. When asked for a number, the speaker argues that the government must first improve its population counts and transparency.

That leaves a significant question unanswered: what would the Conservatives consider a sustainable level?

The remarks criticize both permanent immigration levels and temporary resident programs, but do not provide separate proposed targets for permanent residents, international students, or temporary workers. They also don’t outlined how reduced immigration levels would work – whether they would want people already living and working here to leave en masse, or whether they would simply slow the flow of newcomers for a few years to resolve the issues, or something completely different.

Give provinces and territories more say

The Conservatives want Ottawa to set immigration levels together with provinces and territories, based on what their communities can support.

Of all the requests the Conservative party outlined, we think this is the most likely to be reflected in the upcoming Immigration Levels Plan. Provinces do seem to have more appetite for control over immigration (though most seek more immigration, as opposed to less).

The remarks do not explain how this joint planning would work, or whether provinces would receive any new decision-making powers.

Put more emphasis on hiring and training people already here

The Conservatives want employers to invest more in workers already in Canada. They argue that access to foreign labour can depress wages and productivity. Their criticism is particularly strong when discussing lower-wage jobs and opportunities for young workers.

In the media appearance, Michelle Rempel Garner said: “The best and brightest workers are already here in Canada. They’re in our high schools, our trades programs, our colleges, and our unemployment lines, waiting for someone to train them, hire them, and invest in them.”

However, the remarks do not set out which worker programs they would cut, what exceptions they would support, or how they would address shortages in particular occupations or communities.

They also noted that their plan, with reduced levels, would increase affordability in Canada. However, this seems a little idealized.

It’s true – an employer facing higher wage bills might train staff and invest in equipment. But they could also raise prices, reduce opening hours, or hire fewer people. Add to this that lower immigration may also mean fewer customers, which can reduce the need for workers. In the words of the Bank of Canada:

“In the coming years, fewer immigrants are expected to arrive, which will reduce demand for housing. This could lower pressure on housing costs. At the same time, less immigration will mean fewer workers and weaker demand for other goods and services. The economy won’t grow as fast as a result.”

Reform the new Express Entry job offer rules

The Conservatives also call for reforms to the Express Entry changes described in the remarks as taking effect on November 3. Their concerns focus on whether the rules go far enough to prevent employers from selling job offers (which was the issue with LMIA fraud prior to the reforms in 2024).

They raise three main objections:

• Actual pay: They argue that classifying an occupation as high wage does not necessarily mean the individual applicant will receive a high salary.
• Job offer fraud: They warn that removing the LMIA requirement for qualifying job offers could make fraudulent arrangements easier.
• Whether applicants remain in the job: They question whether a job offer should help someone obtain permanent residence if that person subsequently leaves the position.

We agree that there’s a risk of fraud by bad actors with the existing plan. It seems like IRCC considered that too, and noted it will be carefully assessing applications to ensure the jobs and offers are genuine. You can read more about that in Rebecca’s detailed coverage on whether your salary matters for high-wage occupation points.

Strengthen enforcement and crack down on fraud

The Conservatives want the government to act more quickly to remove people who are not in Canada legally. They also call for stronger security, criminal, and identity checks, and more action against fake documents, study permit scams, and the buying and selling of job offers.

Their demands include tighter treatment of asylum claims they consider unfounded and changes intended to prevent non-citizens convicted of serious crimes from avoiding deportation through more lenient sentences.

These proposals reach beyond annual admissions targets. The party is asking for a broader change in how the immigration system is managed and enforced.

They did not mention any specific changes they would make, nor did they highlight how much their proposed demands would cost to actually act upon.

Improve departure tracking and public reporting

The Conservatives call for “real exit tracking,” including matching expired permits against confirmed departures, alongside clearer public reporting on population and immigration figures. Their position is that the government needs reliable counts to set credible targets.

For temporary residents, an expired permit alone does not establish someone’s full immigration circumstances. They failed to outline how they intended to improve departure tracking so that the system would take full account of the individual’s immigration circumstances (for example, those on maintained status).

Be transparent about immigration commitments in trade agreements

“Conservatives will oppose any attempt to open Canada’s borders that allows Mr. Carney to import the EU’s open border policies into Canada.”

The Conservatives also want the government to disclose any plans to expand entry or mobility arrangements through trade agreements, including agreements involving the European Union.

The remarks express opposition to what the party describes as importing EU “open border policies.” They do not identify a specific agreement that would create such a system in Canada.

What this means for newcomers and prospective immigrants

Remember that these calls are not detailed alternative Immigration Levels Plan.

The remarks show what the Conservatives want the government to prioritize; the upcoming plan will show which targets and pathways the government actually chooses.

If you want to know when the levels plan drops, join our email community. We’ll be sharing news about the upcoming immigration levels plan as soon as it happens.