Succeeding Justin Trudeau as Canada’s twenty fourth Prime Minister, Carney’s swearing-in ceremony was carried out by governor common Mary Simon at Rideau Corridor in Ottawa.
Carney’s appointment as Canada’s chief comes at a time when the nation is navigating via an more and more tumultuous relationship with its closest neighbour and ally, the US.
Canada’s ties with the US have worsened after President Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on Canadian items and floated the thought of integrating Canada into the US, sparking robust backlash.
Thought-about a political newcomer, who performed important roles because the governor of the Financial institution of Canada and the Financial institution of England between 2008 to 2020, Carney is understood for having a tricky stance on immigration.
Calling Canada’s immigration coverage “failures of executions”, Carney acknowledged that Canada has taken in additional folks than its economic system has been in a position to deal with.
“I believe what occurred in the previous few years is we didn’t stay as much as our values on immigration,” he mentioned at a Cardus occasion – a Christian non-partisan suppose tank – in November final yr, based on Canadian media studies.
“We had a lot increased ranges of international employees, college students and new Canadians coming in than we may soak up, that we have now housing for, that we have now well being look after, that we have now social providers for, that we have now alternatives for. And so we’re letting down the those that we let in, fairly frankly.”
Carney’s assertion means that he’ll uphold the Canadian federal authorities’s plan to cut back immigration targets over the following three years.
Just lately, the federal authorities introduced a shift in its immigration technique, slicing the variety of newcomers by 21% – from roughly 500,000 in 2024 to 395,000 in 2025 and 380,000 in 2026.
In its race to cut back non permanent residency numbers and general influx of immigrants, worldwide college students in Canada have confronted the brunt of coverage modifications within the nation.
Canada has imposed extra caps on examine permits, eradicated fast-track examine allow processing, elevated PGWP eligibility and English proficiency necessities, in an effort to “align its immigration planning with capability”.
Over the previous yr, coverage restrictions have already had a major influence in Canada, with the full variety of examine permits processed by the IRCC anticipated to be 39% decrease than in 2023.
A former worldwide scholar himself, Carney is anticipated to proceed with restrictive insurance policies on the cohort, as he beforehand blamed Canadian provinces for “underfunding increased schooling”, which pushed establishments to depend on worldwide college students.
“Will we worth increased schooling on this nation or not? Properly, if we worth increased schooling, possibly we must always begin funding our universities,” acknowledged Carney.
“On the international scholar aspect, it’s extra on provincial coverage, on squeezing universities, in a way.”
Daljit Nirman, an immigration lawyer primarily based in Ottawa and founder, Nirman’s Legislation, believes aggressive scholar recruitment has contributed to housing shortages, an oversaturated job market, and elevated pressure on well being care, making efficient newcomer integration in Canada tougher.
“Given Carney’s stance and these latest coverage modifications, it’s seemingly that Canada will proceed implementing stricter controls on worldwide scholar admissions throughout his tenure,” Nirman advised The PIE Information.
“This measured method goals to protect the advantages of worldwide schooling whereas making certain that Canada’s infrastructure can successfully assist those that select to review and settle within the nation.”
In response to Priyanka Roy, senior recruitment advisor at York College, whereas Carney’s stance on immigration could seem stricter, it would finally lead to a extra “balanced method.”
“Whereas it could seem to be a more durable stance on immigration, we imagine that Prime Minister Carney’s stance is to create a balanced method to immigration, making certain that worldwide scholar enrolment aligns with Canada’s financial capability and doesn’t place undue stress on native infrastructure,” Roy advised The PIE Information.
“York is proactively adapting by providing sustainable options, comparable to a four-year housing assure, on-campus job alternatives, and co-op packages; provisions that assist our worldwide college students combine into Canadian life whereas sustaining a balanced and wholesome relationship with the local people.”
Prime Minister Carney’s management presents a precious alternative to rebuild stronger ties between India and Canada, fostering an setting of belief and collaboration
Priyanka Roy, York College
The previous banker, who received the Liberal Get together race by 86% of the votes, additionally acknowledged immigration’s position in contributing to Canada’s financial future.
Emphasising the necessity for productiveness and a rising labour pressure, Carney has beforehand highlighted that Canada’s rising labour pressure is “going to largely come via new younger Canadians”.
With immigration poised to be a key difficulty, rebuilding ties with India – certainly one of Canada’s largest sources of migrants – shall be essential for the prime minister-designate.
Having already expressed a willingness to fix relations following a serious diplomatic disaster, Carney’s efforts to bask in discussions with India may spell excellent news for Indian college students eyeing Canada as a examine vacation spot.
“Prime Minister Carney’s management presents a precious alternative to rebuild stronger ties between India and Canada, fostering an setting of belief and collaboration,” acknowledged Roy.
“As diplomatic relations enhance, we’re assured that extra Indian college students will proceed to view Canada as a lovely vacation spot for increased schooling and realign their desire for increased schooling in Canada.”
