Breaking: Trudeau Resigns. What Does This Mean for Canada’s Immigration Policies?

In addition, the Parliament of Canada will also be prorogued, meaning all parliamentary proceedings, debates, and votes are suspended, until March 2025. During this time, no new legislative business will be conducted, and the government will not be able to introduce new laws or make decisions through parliamentary votes until the session is resumed.

The normal running of government continues during prorogation. This includes immigration operations.

As the political landscape shifts, several outstanding changes to immigration policy are on the horizon. Here’s a look at the key proposed changes and how they could be influenced by the upcoming leadership transition.

Key Takeaways:

• The Liberal Party must now find Trudeau’s successor, who will lead the party in the next General Election.
• A General Election will be held in Canada on or before October 20, 2025.
• With Trudeau’s departure and a general election on the horizon, there is uncertainty about how nearly announced immigration policies will be implemented.

What Can We Expect To Happen Now?

With Trudeau stepping down, the Liberal Party faces the critical task of naming his successor at a pivotal time for the country. A general election is scheduled to be held before October 20, 2025, though it is expected to take place before that date — potentially many months before. With the governing party in transition, it remains to be seen how immigration policies may evolve. Many hopeful immigrants to Canada will be wondering what this political change will mean for their future.

Outstanding Changes to Immigration

One of the most talked-about recent changes to Canada’s immigration system is the proposal to eliminate the job offer points under the Express Entry system. This change was slated to take effect in Spring 2025. Under this new system, candidates applying through the Express Entry pool would no longer receive additional points for having a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, which has traditionally been a way to give candidates an edge in the selection process.

Elimination Of Job Offer Points Under The Express Entry System

One of the most talked-about recent changes to Canada’s immigration system is the proposal to eliminate the job offer points under the Express Entry system. This change was slated to take effect in Spring 2025. Under this new system, candidates applying through the Express Entry pool would no longer receive additional points for having a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, which has traditionally been a way to give candidates an edge in the selection process.

With Trudeau’s resignation and a likely a change in government, this major reform could be put on hold or even re-examined by a new government. It’s possible that the elimination of job offer points could be amended, delayed, or even reversed. This will be a key issue for many potential immigrants who are currently waiting to see how the change will affect their applications.

Immigration Levels Plan

The Immigration Levels Plan is another critical aspect of Canada’s immigration policy. It lays out the quotas for how many immigrants will be welcomed into the country over a given period, broken down by program type (e.g., economic, family, refugee, etc.). In the most recent immigration levels plan, the government announced a slashing of quotas for most immigration categories. While the overall target numbers have been reduced, the plan emphasizes prioritizing workers already in Canada.

A change in leadership could mean a shift in Canada’s immigration goals. A new government might focus on increasing immigration levels, or they might tighten the quotas further. The political landscape is constantly shifting, and depending on who becomes the new Liberal leader or whether another party takes power, we could see significant revisions to immigration levels and priorities.

The Freeze on the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

A recently announced change is the freeze on new Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) applications. The government has temporarily halted all new applications for the program as it works to address existing backlogs. This freeze means that those hoping to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency in Canada will have to wait longer to submit applications.

The decision to freeze the program comes amid ongoing delays and processing backlogs in the immigration system. With many families already waiting for years to be reunited, this pause has raised concerns among those who are relying on the PGP for family reunification. A new government could potentially reassess this freeze, either extending it or potentially reopening the program to new applicants, depending on the political priorities of the new leadership. This is an important issue to watch for those hoping to bring their families to Canada.

Changes in Effect That Require Clarification

Several recently announced immigration changes are already in force, but many applicants are still waiting for additional guidance to fully understand how these changes will be implemented. A change in leadership could change how these changes are rolled out. 

An example includes the end to flagpoling, a practice where applicants could cross the U.S. – Canada border to complete certain immigration processes, such as renewing their visas or obtaining status changes at the port of entry. The government’s decision to end flagpoling has left many Canadian temporary residents, including International Experience Class participants, uncertain about alternative processes, particularly those who rely on this method to finalise their status or extend permits.

The next Prime Minister of Canada will take office within a matter of months. Regardless of party, whoever that person is will play a pivotal role in determining the direction of Canada’s immigration landscape. As it stands, commentators expect Conservative leader Pierre Pollievre to win a comprehensive majority and become Prime Minister, but this is by no means guaranteed — especially with a shake-up at the top of the governing Liberal Party before the upcoming election.

For now, it’s crucial for prospective immigrants to stay informed, adapt to the shifting policies, and prepare for potential changes that could affect their ability to live, work, and reunite with family in Canada.

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