Who Is Canada’s New Prime Minister Mark Carney?
- Murat Koçak
- Jul 6
- 7 min read
The year 2025 marked a significant political shift in Canada. Liberal Party leader Mark Carney officially assumed office as Prime Minister on March 14, 2025, and continued in this role following his party’s formation of a minority government in the federal elections held on April 28, 2025. Known for his international experience in economics, Carney aims to implement comprehensive reforms in immigration, education, and environmental policy during this new term. This new era is expected to impact a wide audience, particularly international students, skilled immigration candidates, and investors.
Who Is Mark Carney?
Mark Carney was born in 1965 in Fort Smith, located in Canada’s Northwest Territories. With an outstanding academic background in economics, Carney earned his undergraduate degree in economics from Harvard University and then went on to receive his master’s and doctoral degrees from Oxford University.
He began his career in investment banking and held prominent roles in international financial markets. Shortly after the 2008 global financial crisis, Carney was appointed Governor of the Bank of Canada, where his performance quickly gained national recognition. In 2013, he became the first Canadian to serve as Governor of the Bank of England, earning high respect in international economic circles.
Though long seen as a technocrat, Carney initially chose to stay away from politics. However, his growing interest in climate policy and social justice eventually drew him into the political sphere. He formally entered politics by winning the Liberal Party leadership race in early 2025 and, just weeks later, led his party to victory in the federal election, becoming Canada’s 24th Prime Minister.
Who Was Canada’s Previous Prime Minister?
Before the 2025 elections, Canada had been led by Justin Trudeau for nearly a decade. Trudeau, who began his term in 2015, was known for his immigrant-friendly policies, social welfare programs, and environmental initiatives.
However, in recent years, increasing dissatisfaction emerged due to a deepening housing crisis, issues in healthcare services, and economic instability. In this context, the public leaned toward Carney—a leader with strong technical expertise and crisis management experience.
The Core Political Vision of the New Era
Under Carney’s leadership, the new government is focused on integrating economic and social policies. Priorities include combating climate change, driving digital transformation, promoting regional development, and restructuring immigration policies.
Planned changes in immigration policy, in particular, will closely affect both the Canadian labor market and individuals planning to settle in the country permanently. The demand for skilled labor in sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, and technology necessitates a more flexible and targeted immigration system.
Key Features of the New Immigration Policies
One of the main priorities of the new government is updating the immigration system. Planned reforms include:
Regionally focused Express Entry system: The new system will prioritize not only high-scoring candidates but also those whose professions are in demand in specific provinces and territories. This aims to reduce congestion in major cities and encourage more balanced immigration to rural areas.
Sector-based draws: Immigration draws will specifically target sectors like healthcare, construction, engineering, IT, and agriculture to better match labor market needs with applicant profiles.
Employer-supported immigration programs: Mechanisms are being developed to allow Canadian employers to directly support the skilled foreign workers they need, helping to address labor shortages more quickly and support the local economy.
Support for International Students
Another area of focus under Carney’s leadership is to make it easier for international students to establish a long-term life in Canada. Proposed changes include:
Facilitated PR transition after PGWP: Flexibility may be introduced regarding the work experience duration required for international graduates holding a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to transition to permanent residency.
Regional education incentives: Additional CRS points may be awarded to students studying outside major cities, aligning with regional immigration strategies.
Support for short-term programs: Special quotas may be created to allow graduates of government-approved college and certificate programs to qualify for permanent residency.
These changes aim not only to simplify student visa processes but also to encourage long-term retention of students as part of Canada’s broader immigration strategy.
Improvements in Family Sponsorship Policies
Key reforms in family reunification applications include:
Shortened processing times: The current average of 12 months for spouse and child sponsorship applications is expected to be reduced to 6–8 months.
Fully digital procedures: All applications will be managed through online platforms, reducing paperwork and allowing applicants to track their progress in real-time.
Priority for special needs: Sponsorship processes will be expedited and made more flexible for family members who are elderly, disabled, or require intensive care.
Integration and Social Inclusion Programs
To help immigrants integrate into Canadian society, the government plans the following initiatives:
Expansion of government-funded language courses: Language training support programs will be scaled up to help newcomers adapt more quickly to work and social life.
Sector-specific mentorship systems: Newcomers will be paired with experienced professionals in their respective fields to ease their entry into the job market.
Cultural orientation and citizenship education: Sessions will be held to inform newcomers about their legal rights, societal norms, and the path to Canadian citizenship.
Minister of Immigration: Lena Metlege Diab
As of 2025, Lena Metlege Diab serves as Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship. An experienced politician from Nova Scotia, Diab previously served as Nova Scotia’s Minister of Justice. Her priorities include strengthening immigrant communities, preserving cultural diversity, and accelerating digital transformation. In her current role within the Carney Cabinet, she is working toward making Canada’s immigration policies more transparent, humane, and efficient.
Cabinet and Governance Approach
Mark Carney’s cabinet reflects an inclusive structure with members from various provinces, ethnic backgrounds, and professional fields. Special emphasis has been placed on gender representation and engaging young politicians. Cabinet members are focused on areas such as climate change, digital innovation, regional development, and public service efficiency.
Does Canada Have a President?
Canada is a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is King Charles III. However, all executive authority is exercised by the Prime Minister and their cabinet. Therefore, Canada does not have a presidential system. The Prime Minister is the country’s political leader and oversees both legislative and executive processes.
Prime Minister’s Salary in Canada
One topic that frequently draws public interest is the Prime Minister’s salary. As of 2025, the annual salary of the Canadian Prime Minister is approximately 379,000 CAD. However, this position is not merely about financial compensation—it also involves a high level of public responsibility, representational duties, and accountability to a population of 38 million.
What Does This Mean for Applicants from Türkiye?
This new chapter in Canada is especially important for international students, professionals, and investors from Türkiye. Under the new system, application evaluations will go beyond academic success to also consider regional suitability, sectoral demand, and potential contributions to society.
For example, a student choosing to study in a smaller city may have an advantage over competitors in larger urban centers after graduation. Similarly, a candidate who receives a job offer in a priority field such as healthcare or engineering may gain priority in the Express Entry pool.
As application processes become increasingly digitalized for family sponsorship, student visas, and permanent residency, it is essential for applicants to understand the system and prepare their documents thoroughly.
Why Staying Updated Matters
Canada’s immigration policies and procedures are updated periodically. Therefore, it is important to stay informed not only through social media or news sources but also via the official website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Seeking expert guidance during the application process not only saves time but also helps ensure that the process is well-planned and reduces the risk of refusal. Especially since the timeline for implementing the proposed reforms is still unclear, it is advisable to proceed with professional support.
Planning for Canada’s New Era
This new era under Mark Carney’s leadership presents various opportunities for those planning to study, work, or build a life in Canada. The emerging system is designed to be more equitable, faster, and inclusive, allowing applicants to navigate processes with greater predictability.
Receiving support during this transformation helps not only in obtaining technical information but also in taking secure steps in personal planning. For those aiming to study, work, or settle permanently in Canada, staying informed and benefiting from expert advice can provide a stronger foundation for this journey.
At C&C Education Visa and Immigration in Canada, we closely follow new political developments in Canada and help individuals plan their applications accordingly. From education to residency, from visa to career consulting, we adopt an approach that is always aligned with the latest updates.
Keeping Up with Canada’s New Era
The new era launched under Mark Carney marks not only a political shift but also significant transformations in immigration, education, employment, and social inclusion. For immigration candidates, international students, and individuals planning a new life, a more accessible and informed system is being built.
It’s important to remember that every step taken in Canada should be shaped by individual circumstances. During this process, following up-to-date regulations, relying on official sources, and consulting with experts can lead to healthier planning.
For the latest updates and official application guidelines regarding Canada’s immigration system, you can visit the website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
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