2019-10-22 – Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Party made a number of immigration proposals in the lead up to Monday\u2019s federal election.<\/p>\n
Returned to power, but with a minority government, which of the changes outlined by the prime minister are likely to happen?<\/p>\n
The broad agreement among the major parties during the election campaign that immigration numbers in Canada were about right raises the likelihood of Trudeau getting support for his proposals.<\/p>\n
1) Continued managed immigration level increases<\/b><\/p>\n
Given the consensus already mentioned between Canada\u2019s main parties, a continuation of managed immigration increases<\/a> under the Liberals can be expected to continue.<\/p>\n Canada\u2019s immigration levels plan for the next three years is expected to be published soon, with the possibility of a delay due to the fallout from the election.<\/p>\n Last year\u2019s plan saw levels expected to rise to 350,000 newcomers per year by 2021. The new plan, expected to set out immigration levels for 2020, 2021 and 2022, is not expected to be significantly different.<\/p>\n 2) Creation of a new Municipal Nominee Program<\/b><\/p>\n The challenge of encouraging immigrants to spread out to smaller communities is one that clearly needs tackling, and the proposed Municipal Nominee Program<\/a> is the Liberals\u2019 attempt to do just that.<\/p>\n With the other parties \u2013 including the Conservatives \u2013 accepting those smaller communities need help with countering ageing populations and shrinking labour markets, Trudeau could expect support from the other parties for the Municipal Nominee Program.<\/p>\n 3) Making the Atlantic Immigration Pilot permanent<\/b><\/p>\n The Atlantic Immigration Pilot<\/a> is essentially another tool introduced by the Liberals aimed at bringing more immigrants to a region struggling with ageing populations and shrinking labour markets.<\/p>\n Making it permanent is another policy for which Trudeau could be expecting support.<\/p>\n 4) Modernization of the Safe Third Country Agreement with the U.S.<\/b><\/p>\n The steady flow of asylum seekers crossing the border from the U.S. at unrecognized points has been contentious for Trudeau throughout his first term.<\/p>\n