The national election of Canada is scheduled for September 20 which is expected to have a significant impact on Canada’s immigration system for the next four years. Because the federal government is mainly accountable for the legislation that affects the system, the election result is the most significant event in Canada’s immigration system. Immigration is a mutual federal-provincial jurisdiction, according to the Constitution, with the federal government having the final say.
While provinces and territories all over Canada are quite engaged in recruiting and settling newcomers, the federal government, specifically Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), has the most influence over the country’s immigration policies. For example, the IRCC sets national immigration levels as well as provincial allocations and processing times and is by far the largest funding source of settlement and integration services across the country. The political party that forms government after each federal election directs the IRCC.
As a result, the party in power after September 20 will have a lasting impact on the immigration system. The following is a summary of what you can expect based on what happened after the federal elections in 2015 and 2019. IRCC and the provinces and territories will continue to carry out their existing immigration responsibilities until the new government takes office. This means that Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and other immigration routes will remain open. IRCC will also continue to process applications and carry out its other functions.
The implementation of new policies and programs is typically not done during federal election seasons. Rather, IRCC will wait for the new government to take power before advising it on policy. Following the election, the ruling party will require some time, usually 1-2 months, to appoint cabinet ministers and other key positions. The transition then takes place, and they take control of the federal government. The Prime Minister will give each minister a mandate letter around this time. The mandate letter will spell out the Prime Minister’s policy priorities for each minister, along with the immigration minister, during the new government’s term in office. The mandate letter from the immigration minister will shape IRCC priorities, which will have repercussions on provinces, territories, and the whole immigration system.
In 2019, the election was held in October, the cabinet was announced in November, and the mandate letters were released in January 2020, after the winter holidays. The election was held in October 2015, the cabinet was formed in November, and the mandate letters were made public in November. In 2019, the election was held in October, the cabinet was announced in November, and the mandate letters were released in January 2020, after the winter holidays. The election was held in October 2015, the cabinet was formed in November, and the mandate letters were made public in November.
The mandate letter will spell out the Prime Minister’s policy priorities for each minister, along with the immigration minister, during the new government’s term in office. The mandate letter from the immigration minister will shape IRCC priorities, which will have repercussions on provinces, territories, and the whole immigration system.
Over the course of 2022, the new administration is expected to settle in and implement new immigration policies and programs.
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