Green Party Immigration Plans for Canada’s 2025 Federal Elections

Editor's Note (Election Day - April 28, 2025): As Canadians head to the polls today, this article outlines the Green Party's proposals for immigration reform under leaders Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault. As a smaller party, the Green Party's ability to implement these changes or influence federal policy depends significantly on the overall election results and the formation of the next Parliament.

For comprehensive live analysis of the national election results and their broader impact on Canadian immigration, please follow AskAïa's dedicated coverage: Canada's Live Election Results & Immigration Impact Analysis.

Can the Green Party Turn Immigration Ideas into Real Change in 2025? Immigration is a key issue in Canada’s 2025 federal elections, and the Green Party, led by Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault, is offering clear promises. Often seen as a smaller party, the Greens now share ideas focused on helping essential workers, international students, and people stuck in long delays or without legal status.

How do their ideas compare to the other main parties? Mark Carney’s Liberals want balanced growth, avoiding both very high and very low immigration; Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives want tighter rules with focus on needed skills; Jagmeet Singh’s NDP support wide humanitarian reforms; and Yves-François Blanchet’s Bloc Québécois stands for Quebec’s unique immigration system.

Here’s what the Green Party’s unique vision for immigration could mean for you.

Meet the Greens: Party Values and Leadership Vision

The Green Party, first known for environmental issues, now supports people-focused policies in 2025. They value social fairness, sustainable living, and local democracy. They are strongest in British Columbia and are growing in Quebec.

Elizabeth May, MP for Saanich Gulf Islands, is known for her work on climate and social justice. With years in Parliament, she now shares leadership to bring new energy to the party.

Jonathan Pedneault, her co-leader, is a human rights advocate from Montreal and the first Quebecer to lead the Greens. Running in Outremont, he connects climate action with human dignity.

"We can’t talk about justice without talking about how we welcome people." — Elizabeth May

The Green Party Immigration Plan for 2025: Faster, Fairer, More Inclusive

The Greens want to create an immigration system that is quicker to access, more fair to everyone, and less costly for those with limited means. Their goal is to support people who contribute to Canada by removing delays, cutting unnecessary fees, and opening new paths to stay in the country legally. 

Faster Processing for Permanent Residency

The Greens would give the federal government more money every year to speed up permanent residency (PR) decisions. This would help clear the backlog, so workers and families don't wait years to settle. Faster processing means more stability for those already contributing.

Employer-Driven Path to PR

A special program would allow foreign workers in important jobs, like healthcare, agriculture, or transport, to move directly from a temporary permit to PR. This skips the usual LMIA steps and gives long-term security to workers filling key roles.

Sliding-Scale Fees Based on Income

Instead of high, fixed fees, PR and citizenship costs would adjust based on how much a person earns. Students, part-time workers, and those in lower-income jobs would pay less, making the process more fair and less of a financial burden.

Fast-Track PR for Health-Care Graduates

International students who train in Canada for healthcare jobs, like doctors, nurses, or lab technicians, would have a faster route to PR if there aren't enough Canadians in those jobs. This supports the health system and rewards local graduates.

Regularization of Undocumented Residents

The Greens want a case-by-case plan for people living in Canada without legal status. If someone has lived here for years, worked, and contributed to the community, they could get a chance at PR. This would reflect Canada's values of fairness and respect.

The Greens' plan focuses on fairness, speed, and supporting people who help the country but face high barriers.

Why the Green Immigration Plan Matters: Impact & Next Steps

The Greens' plan could change life for many immigrants by directly addressing common challenges. Graduating students would benefit from lower PR fees and faster options to stay, especially if they studied in fields like healthcare where workers are needed. Skilled workers filling essential jobs could move straight to permanent residency through their employment, without relying on the points-based Express Entry system.

For families, quicker PR processing would mean less time apart, even if no new family-specific policies are introduced. People living without legal status in Canada could finally have hope, as the Greens propose a fair, case-by-case system to recognize their contributions and offer a legal path forward.

What This Means for You

If the Greens succeed, expect lower costs, faster applications, and a more caring system. However, as a smaller party with limited seats, their ability to drive these changes depends on their influence in a future coalition or minority government.

Immigration rules can change quickly, especially during elections. It's important to stay informed about the latest policies and what they mean for your situation. Use AskAïa’s free assessment to explore your best options and see how current proposals, including the Greens', might affect your path forward.