Canada’s Provinces Want More Power To Set Immigration Levels

Canadian provincial premiers are intensifying their push for greater control over immigration policies, seeking the authority to set their own immigration levels and issue work permits. This movement gained momentum at the Council of the Federation meeting on July 24, 2025, in Huntsville, Ontario. During the meeting, premiers from across the country united to demand more autonomy in managing immigration to address their unique labor market challenges.

The premiers argue that provinces are better equipped to understand their local labor shortages and economic needs compared to the federal government. They are calling for increased allocations under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which allows provinces and territories (except Quebec) to nominate immigrants based on specific labor market priorities. However, in 2024, the federal government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, reduced PNP allocations by half in an effort to lower national immigration levels. This decision has faced strong criticism from provincial leaders, who argue that it harms local economies, particularly in rural areas that rely heavily on foreign labor in manufacturing and services.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has taken a bold stance, announcing the province’s intention to issue its own work permits. “We will be issuing our own work permits,” Ford stated. “We aren’t going to sit around and wait for the federal government.” This declaration signals a significant escalation in provincial demands for immigration control. Other premiers, including Manitoba’s Wab Kinew, New Brunswick’s Susan Holt, and Nova Scotia’s Tim Houston, have echoed Ford’s sentiments, highlighting a broad consensus among provincial leaders to take a more active role in determining who lives and works in their jurisdictions.

The push for greater provincial authority comes amid growing frustration with delays and inefficiencies in the federal immigration system. Provincial leaders argue that current federal policies fail to adequately address their labor shortages, and administrative bottlenecks only worsen these challenges. This dissatisfaction has fueled calls for reform and a shift in the balance of power between the federal government and the provinces.

Quebec stands out as a unique case, with its own distinct immigration system that grants it greater autonomy. In 2025, Quebec introduced changes to its immigration policies, reducing its intake targets for permanent residents and temporary foreign workers. The province also called on the federal government to significantly reduce the number of International Mobility Program (IMP) work permit holders before considering an increase in its immigration levels. These measures reflect Quebec’s long-standing goal of maintaining control over its demographic and linguistic composition—a power not held by other provinces.

The federal government’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan has further intensified provincial demands for more control. Released amid national debates over housing shortages, infrastructure stress, and the capacity of social services, the plan marked the first significant reduction in immigration targets in several years. It projects a decrease to 395,000 new permanent residents in 2025, with further reductions planned, and caps on temporary residents such as foreign workers and international students. These changes have heightened concerns among provinces, as national reductions could disproportionately harm regions with acute labor gaps.

An additional point of contention is the funding for immigrant settlement services. Provinces argue that as they take on more responsibility for selecting immigrants, they must also receive adequate resources to provide effective integration and support programs locally. This call for funding reflects the broader push for a more balanced distribution of power and resources in Canada’s immigration system.

Overall, Canada’s provinces are seeking a new balance of power in immigration policy, driven by economic needs and dissatisfaction with federal restrictions and delays. Their demands include the ability to set their own immigration levels, issue work permits independently, increase PNP allocations, and secure funding for settlement services. Ontario has signaled its willingness to proceed unilaterally, and there is a growing consensus among other provinces to assert their constitutional powers if necessary. This debate underscores a broader struggle between federal oversight and provincial autonomy, a dynamic that is likely to shape the future of Canadian immigration policy.

Provinces Unite for Immigration Reform Amid Federal Policy Changes

As the push for provincial control over immigration intensifies, premiers across Canada are uniting in their demands for reform. Manitoba’s Wab Kinew, New Brunswick’s Susan Holt, and Nova Scotia’s Tim Houston have joined Ontario’s Doug Ford in advocating for greater autonomy, emphasizing the need for tailored solutions to address their unique labor market challenges.

The federal government’s recent decision to reduce immigration levels has sparked concern among provinces, particularly those facing acute labor shortages. The 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, which projects a decrease to 395,000 new permanent residents, has prompted provinces to seek more control over their immigration policies to mitigate the impact of these reductions.

Quebec, with its distinct immigration system, has reduced its intake targets for permanent residents and temporary foreign workers. The province has also called for a decrease in International Mobility Program (IMP) work permits, highlighting its commitment to maintaining demographic and linguistic balance—a privilege not extended to other provinces.

Funding for immigrant settlement services remains a critical issue. Provinces argue that increased responsibility for selecting immigrants must be matched with adequate resources to ensure effective integration and support programs. This call for funding underscores the broader push for a balanced distribution of power and resources within Canada’s immigration system.

Looking ahead, the dynamic between federal oversight and provincial autonomy is expected to shape the future of Canadian immigration policy. With Ontario leading the charge and other provinces expressing willingness to assert their constitutional powers, the stage is set for significant changes in how immigration is managed across the country.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the push by Canadian provinces for greater control over immigration policies reflects a growing need to address unique regional labor market challenges. Provinces argue that they are better equipped to understand their specific economic needs compared to the federal government, and they are seeking more autonomy to set immigration levels and issue work permits. The reduction of Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations by the federal government has further fueled provincial demands for reform. Ontario’s decision to issue its own work permits highlights the escalating tensions, while Quebec’s distinct immigration system serves as a model for provincial autonomy. The debate over immigration control underscores a broader struggle between federal oversight and provincial autonomy, which is likely to shape the future of Canadian immigration policy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why are Canadian provinces seeking more control over immigration?

Provinces are seeking more control over immigration to address their unique labor market challenges and economic needs, which they believe the federal government cannot adequately address.

2. What is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)?

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows provinces and territories to nominate immigrants based on specific labor market priorities, except for Quebec.

3. Why is Ontario issuing its own work permits?

Ontario is issuing its own work permits due to frustration with federal delays and inefficiencies in the immigration system, aiming to address its labor shortages more effectively.

4. How does Quebec’s immigration system differ from other provinces?

Quebec has a distinct immigration system with greater autonomy, allowing it to set its own targets and policies, focusing on maintaining its demographic and linguistic balance.

5. What are the provinces’ concerns about funding for settlement services?

Provinces argue that they need adequate funding for immigrant settlement services to ensure effective integration and support programs, matching their increased responsibility for selecting immigrants.

6. How might provincial control over immigration impact Canada’s immigration system?

Greater provincial control could lead to a more decentralized immigration system, with provinces tailoring policies to their specific needs, potentially altering the balance of power between federal and provincial governments.