A Liberal government would make sweeping changes to the immigration system, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau said Friday.

“Immigration is now, as it has always been, critical to job creation and long-term economic growth,” he said.

Trudeau said a Liberal government would:

double the family reunification limits that allow people to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada. That means the number would jump to 10,000 from the 5,000 imposed by the Harper government in 2014.

“A Liberal government will make family reunification at the core of its immigration policy,” he said.

“Making it easier for families to be together here in Canada makes more than just economic sense. When Canadians have added supports, like family involvement in child care, it helps drive productivity and economic growth.”

“nearly double” the budget for processing family class immigration applications, raising the maximum age for dependants to 22. The Harper government had cut off dependant applications at age 18.

“Wait times will come down,” Trudeau said.

give spouses immigrating to Canada immediate permanent residency, instead of the current two-year waiting period.

make it easier for potential immigrants to come to the country if they already have Canadian siblings.

Under the current government, “you can expect to wait five or six years or more” for family reunification.

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no two-tier Canadian citizenship, repealing the new Conservative government law that allows dual citizens convicted of terrorism or treason to have their Canadian citizenship revoked: “A Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian.”

remove the visa requirements for Mexican visitors imposed by the Conservatives.

With files from The Canadian Press

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