Summer Immigration Roundup: Government Plans and Public Policy Update

We are over halfway through 2025, and the seas of change have not stopped swirling around Canadian immigration policies. Although some of the more recent changes are minor in terms of their widespread impact, they are still important due to the ramifications they have on the people they affect. Non-citizens, such as permanent and temporary residents living in Canada, should periodically check for updates on their immigration status to be best prepared for any policy changes that may affect them.

Election Update: Federal Government Plans for Immigration in Canada

The 2025 Canadian Federal Election resulted in another Liberal Party of Canada victory, and they have formed a minority government. Although the Liberals will remain in power for a fourth consecutive term, the leadership at the top of the party has changed, as Mark Carney leads the party as Prime Minister rather than Justin Trudeau. As a result of the leadership change, Canada may see some policy changes, especially in the immigration sphere. The platform promises of the Liberal Party going into the election included promises to change aspects of temporary residence, permanent residence, Francophone immigration, and business immigration. 

As the election has ended and the Liberals are now in a position to continue governing, Prime Minister Carney has sent out a mandate letter outlining the priorities they will focus on during their term in the House of Commons. Among these priorities was a priority focused expressly on immigration. The mandate states that Canada will keep: “Attracting the best talent in the world to help build our economy, while returning our overall immigration rates to sustainable levels.” There was a further priority focused on securing Canada’s borders.

Although the mandate letter did not include specifics, it serves as an indicator that further changes to Canada’s immigration system are on the horizon and are likely to be implemented by the new Liberal government during its term. It remains to be seen how much of the existing policies the new government will seek to change.

Extension of Public Policy Positive for Foreign Workers in Canada

Some remnants of the COVID-19 pandemic era remain in Canada’s public policies toward immigration. Although Canada and the world have undergone significant changes since the pandemic, particularly in immigration policies, some of these policies have persisted through the upheaval. 

One policy that has persisted and been renewed is the temporary public policy exempting foreign nationals in Canada from certain requirements when changing employment. The policy was announced as extended on May 27, 2025, and replaces the former temporary public policy of the same effect that was instituted five years ago on May 6, 2020.

Work Permits 

The policy relates to foreign nationals in Canada on work permits. Employer-specific work permits are the most common type of work permit issued to foreign nationals in Canada. They differ from open work permits in that employer-specific work permits enable the permit holder to work in a specific occupation for a specific employer, rather than allowing the permit holder to choose where they want to work and in what capacity. Potential applicants for employer-specific work permits must have a job offer in place to be eligible to apply.

Features of the Policy

The policy provides an exemption for some foreign nationals on employer-specific work permits. Under the policy, foreign workers holding employer-specific work permits can apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to begin working for a new employer in a new occupation before obtaining a new work permit. 

This is contrary to restrictions that usually accompany employer-specific work permits. Again, the holder of an employer-specific work permit is only allowed to work for the employer on the work permit in the occupation stated. If they wanted to switch occupations or employers, they would need to be issued a new work permit to begin working in a different capacity legally.

However, the exemption offers some flexibility for individuals holding employer-specific work permits. The exemption has a set list of conditions that must be met for the permit holder to be eligible to apply. The conditions are met if the foreign national: 

• is in Canada with a valid temporary resident status;
• has submitted a work permit renewal application or work permit extension;
• intends to work for a new employer and/or occupation as specified by the job offer included in their work permit application; and
• has applied for the public policy exemption using the electronic means or with an alternate format provided by the Department if the foreign national is unable to use electronic means.

For the exemption to apply, the foreign national must apply for it and request that it be applied to their case until a decision is made on their work permit application. 

Rationale for the Policy

The Canadian Government believes that providing additional flexibility to workers and employers can be achieved by extending the public policy. It allows workers to work while awaiting a decision on their work permit, and employers to more quickly hire workers to fill positions. 

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has indicated that individuals on maintained status, those with a work permit who need to transition to a new occupation or employer, and those who are exempt from a work permit but require one for a new job, will all benefit from the public policy. It is essential to note that, as this is a public policy, it can be revoked at any time. However, given the benefits outlined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, it is likely to remain implemented for quite some time.

Contact Garson Immigration Law in Toronto for Comprehensive Canadian Immigration Solutions

At Garson Immigration Law, we are exclusively dedicated to the practice of immigration law. We understand that waiting for your immigration application to be processed can be a stressful experience. Our immigration lawyers can help guide you successfully through the immigration process and find solutions tailored to your individual immigration needs.

We work to find practical solutions for our clients in all kinds of immigration matters, including permanent residence, inadmissibility, and US immigration. If you have any questions about an immigration application, please don’t hesitate to contact us online or by calling us at 416-321-2860.