Politics newcomer Mark Carney has led the Liberals to victory in Canada’s 2025 election, forming a minority government in a race upended by US President Donald Trump.
“During this Trump-dominated election, immigration and international higher education received virtually no attention on the campaign trail,” Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) Matthew McDonald told The PIE News.
All eyes are now on Carney’s first moves in office, with stakeholders touting it a “critical moment” for Canada to “reset and strengthen” its approach to international education and maintain its reputation as a welcoming destination.
The PIE heard from sector leaders about what the result could mean for international higher education and what they are hoping to see from the new administration.
A chance for stability and real government action?
Since January 2024, Canada’s international higher education sector has been hit with a barrage of 13 federal policy changes, creating profound volatility, triggering layoffs and deficits, and eroding student interest in what has been a traditionally stable, welcoming destination.
Under Carney’s leadership, the Liberals’ re-election to the government is being hailed as a much-needed opportunity to re-establish balance in the sector.
“This is a critical moment. Canada’s ability to maintain its reputation as an open, innovative, and welcoming society depends on a deliberate, coordinated international education strategy — not ad hoc measures,” said Philipp Reichert, director of global engagement at the University of British Columbia.
Reichert highlighted the need for sustainable immigration pathways, strong research investments and responsive, student-centred support systems to maintain Canada’s position as a leader in international education.
As for prospective students looking to study in Canada, “I see good news in a period of stability after a highly disruptive 2024”, said McDonald, echoing the positive tone of Canada’s bureau for international education (CBIE) congratulating the new government.
McDonald’s advice to international students hoping to obtain permanent residence in Canada? “Be strategic, with an ongoing focus on occupation rather than human capital, and an increasing emphasis on French-language proficiency year upon year.”
For Languages Canada executive director Gonzalo Peralta, real action is required from the new government, which must differentiate itself from former elected leaders who “touted the value of education” without bringing about meaningful sector support.
The proof is in the pudding, so we are eager to see what type of pudding PM Carney creates
Gonzalo Peralta, Languages Canada
“The proof is in the pudding, so we are eager to see what type of pudding PM Carney creates,” said Peralta, though he raised concerns about the Liberals’ minority government, which could hinder policies that Canada needs to avail the current “crisis”.
Among language schools, all eyes will be on whether Carney appoints a minister of Official Languages, something Peralta says is “more essential than ever” as the sector struggles to recover to pre-Covid levels.
More sustainable immigration targets
While stakeholders are eying the opportunity for Canada to reset and strengthen its approach to international education, the continuation of Liberal governance makes it unlikely that there will be any significant changes to the immigration file.
And yet, a more sustainable approach to immigration is anticipated.
For instance, a longer time frame has been set for Canada to reduce its temporary residents from a high of 7.3% of Canada’s population to 5% in 2027, “rather than the more aggressive (and unrealistic) target that Marc Miller had set out”, said McDonald.
The Liberals have also said they will return permanent resident targets below 1% “beyond 2027”, meaning the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan will stay in place for now, though could be revised before 2027 given the geopolitical uncertainties.
Amid all the policy changes of the past 15 months, visa processing times have taken a major hit in Canada with sector leaders raising concerns about an understaffed and overburdened IRCC.
Many of them see the election as an opportunity for a reset, with Reichert noting the “pressing need” for the new government to “rebuild trust and demonstrate leadership in fixing a system that has become increasingly unpredictable”.
Alongside improving processing times, immigration must be aligned with labour market needs, demographic realities and regional priorities of smaller provinces that rely on international students and newcomers to sustain growth, said Reichert.
Craving sector unity and cooperation
Following the election, CBIE congratulated the new government and reiterated its longstanding demand to establish a Pan-Canadian International Education Council to gather together sector leaders and guide national policy.
The bureau also emphasised the need to strengthen Canada’s global partnerships through people-to-people connections, research collaboration and alumni engagement, as well as reinforcing Canada’s reputation as a welcoming destination.
Universities Canada, the voice of Canadian institutions, expressed similar demands for a more cooperative government and called on it to affirm its commitment to investing in research and innovation including in AI, agriculture, critical minerals and advanced manufacturing.
“Without bold action, Canada risks losing ground in critical industries,” it said, urging the government to establish a ministerial roundtable to deliver immigration strategies supporting international students and enabling “seamless workforce integration”.
Amid US attacks on Canada’s sovereignty and mounting tariffs, Peralta emphasised the key role of higher education and the language sector in boosting Canadian resilience, “providing an opportunity to build diplomatic trade relations with new countries”.
“Even within Canada, we help Canadians understand and connect with other cultures, and that is a unifying factor that cannot be overlooked,” he added.
