Poilievre: Immigrants Not to Blame for Canada’s Fast Immigration

Pierre Poilievre says the problem is not immigrants. It’s the policies. In a sharp election-year message on September 3, 2025, the Conservative leader argued that Canada’s “too many, too fast” approach has strained housing, services, and public patience, but insisted newcomers are “victims of a system,” not the cause of it. He called for a complete shutdown of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), saying it pushes out Canadian youth and leaves low-wage migrants exposed to abuse.

Prime Minister Mark Carney pushed back, saying the program “has a role” and will be kept with tighter controls and ongoing reviews.

Core dispute: pace and composition

At the center of the policy clash is pace and composition: how many people come, how quickly, and through which programs.

• The Liberal government’s 2025–2027 levels plan, announced last fall, cut permanent resident targets to 395,000 in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027, down from the earlier 500,000 track.
• Temporary resident volumes—international students and foreign workers—are being capped at 5% of the population by 2026.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the government expects the temporary resident population to drop by about 445,901 in 2025 and 445,662 in 2026, before a slight rise in 2027.

Poilievre’s proposal vs. Liberal response

Poilievre’s proposal would:

• End new TFWP visas and wind down existing permits, with a single exception: a standalone agricultural stream for jobs that truly can’t be filled domestically.
• He argues employers have used the TFWP to hold down wages and avoid training local workers.

Responses and concerns:

• Business groups and farm organizations warn a sudden shutdown would leave them short of people during peak seasons, raise costs, and disrupt supply chains.
• Migrant advocates counter that the program’s closed work permits create power imbalances; many call for permanent resident status on arrival to curb exploitation.

Prime Minister Carney’s approach is stabilization rather than a hard brake:

• Ottawa has already cut international student study permits from 485,000 in 2024 to 437,000 in 2025 and introduced tighter rules for spousal open work permits tied to students and many temporary workers.
• Provinces face lower quotas and a new rule that 75% of Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nominations must go to people already in Canada, favoring those with local experience.
• Example: British Columbia’s allocation was cut from 8,000 to 4,000.

Public sentiment and political messaging

Public sentiment has shifted since the post-pandemic surge.

• Polls in late 2024 found nearly 60% of Canadians said overall levels were too high, even as a majority still agreed that immigrants help the country.
• That tension shapes both parties’ messages:
  • Conservatives promise fewer temporary entrants and a reset to earlier permanent resident numbers.
  • Liberals promise steadier levels, stronger enforcement, and better alignment with housing and infrastructure.

Experts note that focusing on skills, language, and wage levels usually builds support, while heavy use of short-term permits can sour opinion when housing is tight.

Policy changes already reshaping choices

Key shifts in selection and program design:

• Express Entry draws in 2025 have leaned toward candidates with Canadian experience, French-language ability, and roles in healthcare and education.
• The government says the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot will become a permanent permanent residence route by the end of 2025.
• New work permit streams for agriculture and fish processing are in development.
• For employers, the near-term reality is tighter hiring from abroad, especially in low-wage sectors outside agriculture.

Employers who still seek to hire through the TFWP must secure a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) showing no available Canadians for the role. A positive LMIA remains a core requirement unless an exemption applies.

• The government’s official guide for employers is available on the Government of Canada TFWP page.
• Under the Conservative plan, however, new TFWP visas would cease, and existing permits would be phased out, except for the proposed farm stream.

Election stakes and likely outcomes

The election stakes are clear:

• If Conservatives form government:
  • Expect deeper cuts to temporary flows.
  • The TFWP would be dismantled outside agriculture.
  • A stronger tilt toward in-Canada skilled applicants.
• If Liberals remain in power:
  • Expect continued stabilization, target tweaks, and added oversight of education and labor brokers.

Either way, program composition—not just headline numbers—will decide how the public responds.

The choice before voters is less about whether immigrants help Canada—they do—and more about the mix and speed.

Policy Changes Overview

Impact on workers and employers

For prospective immigrants:

• The door is still open, but the path is different.
• Ottawa is favoring candidates already in the country, helping those who built Canadian experience.
• Newcomers abroad face tougher odds, especially in low-wage roles and non-priority fields.
• International students see fewer permits and stricter school quality controls.
• Spouses face fewer open work options.

For employers:

• Planning is critical. Many will need to:
  • Raise wages
  • Invest in training
  • Widen hiring across underemployed domestic groups
• Seasonal agriculture may keep a dedicated stream under either party’s plan.
• Non-agricultural roles could face a drought of foreign labor if the Conservative proposal advances.

Enforcement, compliance, and worker protections

Carney argues shutting down the TFWP would broadly destabilize sectors like farms and fish plants. The government’s approach emphasizes:

• Tightening rules and curbing bad actors
• Stepping up audits and compliance checks
• Introducing stronger penalties for violations

Migrant rights groups emphasize that corporate profiteering and weak enforcement drive abuse. Many advocate for permanent status on arrival as a long-term fix to reduce exploitation.

Broader context and concluding note

The broader question is how quickly Canada can scale housing, transit, and services to match growth. The rapid expansion in 2022–2023, with talk of 500,000 newcomers per year, collided with scarce rentals and stretched clinics. The current pivot seeks to cool demand while rebalancing program types.

According to VisaVerge.com reports, the government’s focus on French-language proficiency and in-Canada experience is likely to continue through 2025, regardless of the election outcome. That points to a more selective system with fewer temporary permits, tighter school rules, and a steadier—though lower—permanent resident flow.

Both parties say the goal is fairness for workers and stability for communities. The outcome will set the tone for years to come.