On April 28th, 2025, citizens across the country went to the polls for the Canadian Federal Election, which resulted in the third consecutive term of a Liberal minority government in Canada. While this result means something different to everyone, what does it mean for international entrepreneurs?
As Canada enters a new chapter in its political landscape, this shift brings both opportunity and challenge. Change, however, is something that entrepreneurs are well accustomed to. In fact, it’s within dynamic and evolving environments that many startups and businesses thrive. For international entrepreneurs, embracing change goes even further. Launching a new venture, navigating the Canadian business landscape and entering a foreign market all require a unique level of adaptability, something that international entrepreneurs have an abundance of.
Embarking on a new chapter for the Canadian government, it is important, especially for the entrepreneur community, to remain informed and involved in future policy and immigration changes. After all, preparation is protection, and in the ever-changing landscape of our economic and political environment, the more we know, the better.
In the past, the Liberal government has been known for their pro-immigration and international talent support systems. Initiatives like the Start Up Visa (SUV) program and the Global Talent Stream clearly demonstrate Canada’s commitment to supporting immigration and fostering international business ventures.
But throughout 2024, Marc Miller, former Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced significant changes to Canada’s immigration policies. These changes included reducing temporary residents through capping international study permits, limiting work permit eligibility for spouses of students and foreign workers and unveiling a ‘Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan’ for 2025-2027. Reflecting on the government’s response to public concerns about housing affordability and labour market pressures, these changes aim to balance economic needs with sustainable growth and community capacity.
For the international entrepreneur with dreams of bringing their innovative and ground-breaking ideas to Canada in hopes of scaling in the Canadian economy, these changes were anything but promising. Turning the page to the new Liberal government, the path forward remains uncertain. Yet some signals and campaign promises from Mark Carnery and his government suggest a future that may be worth watching closely.
A recent article by CIC News reviewed the Liberal government’s campaign platform, which highlighted the “unsustainable” pace of immigration levels growing and the need for them to “adjust the numbers to get back on track”. As part of this plan, the party aims to remain in alignment with the Immigration Levels Plan that was introduced by Minister Miller by stabilizing permanent residents (PRs) at less than 1% of Canada’s population annually beyond 2027.
In addition to these targets, CIC also reports on the Liberal party’s promise to reduce temporary workers and international students to less than 5% of Canada’s population by 2027. At first glance, these measures may seem discouraging, as they suggest a tightening of opportunities and paint a future that may appear less welcoming to international entrepreneurs and immigrants alike. However, there are still encouraging signs for globally-minded business leaders.
One example is the proposed revamp of the Global Skills Strategy put forth by the Liberal government. As a federal program that helps eligible Canadian businesses hire highly skilled talent from around the world, the Global Skills Strategy reinforces Canada’s commitment to attracting top global talent. This signals a continued openness toward international entrepreneurs and the expertise and creativity they bring to the Canadian economy.
While evolving immigration policies create uncertainty, they also underscore the importance of having the right guidance and support through the ebbs and flows of the journey. Partnering with an international incubator like Roseview Global is a way to lead with lived experience and professional insight.
We know that as an incubator, the changes we are witnessing today are neither the first nor the last. In fact, we take pride in a team that is built on hard-earned experience and a deep understanding of Canada’s federal programs. This foundation allows us to offer strategic and personalized support every step of the way. From navigating policy shifts to accessing mentorship and resources, we are here to ensure that founders stay focused on what they do best: innovating, building and growing their businesses.
The future cannot be predicted, but this new season of uncertainty also brings the chance to gain a fresh perspective and embrace a new beginning. We always recommend that businesses and startup professionals engage with Canadian immigration advisors to help clarify and understand the programs, rules and regulations around immigrating and moving your business to Canada.
Let’s explore how you and your team can move forward with confidence, following a path that is clear, purposeful and firmly grounded. Discover what Roseview Global has to offer for entrepreneurs looking to bring their businesses to Canada. With a proven track record and expert team ready to help, get started on your future today: https://roseviewglobal.com/