KITCHENER, Ontario — Canada’s once-enthusiastic embrace of immigration, lauded by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as essential for countering demographic challenges like an aging workforce and low birth rates, is undergoing a notable recalibration.
Despite consistently outpacing its Group of Seven counterparts in population growth and surpassing even countries like India in expansion, Canada is reining in its immigration ambitions. In 2023, the nation’s population surged by over 1.2 million individuals, marking a 3.2 percent increase from the previous year, with nearly all growth attributed to immigration.
However, grappling with a housing affordability crisis and strains on social services, Trudeau’s administration is adopting a more measured stance on immigration.
The government has implemented caps on the intake of permanent residents, imposed temporary limits on international student visas, and committed to reducing the proportion of temporary immigrants such as foreign workers within the population.
Prime Minister Trudeau addressed the shift, acknowledging a “massive spike” in temporary immigrants that has overwhelmed the country’s capacity to absorb newcomers. He emphasized the necessity of reining in this influx to maintain control.
Canada, long regarded as a haven for immigrants with robust bipartisan support for immigration policies, is witnessing a nuanced change in public sentiment. A recent poll conducted by the Environics Institute revealed a notable shift, with 44 percent of respondents expressing concern over excessive immigration—a 17-point increase from 2022, marking the largest year-over-year change since tracking began in 1977. Many voiced apprehensions that immigration was exacerbating housing affordability issues.
Keith Neuman, a senior associate at the institute, highlighted this change as a shift in confidence regarding immigration management rather than a reflection of attitudes towards immigrants themselves.
However, failing to restore public confidence in immigration management could undermine Canada’s longstanding immigration consensus, warned analysts.
The ambitious immigration plan unveiled in 2022 aimed to welcome nearly 1.5 million new permanent residents by 2025, predominantly skilled workers selected through a points-based system emphasizing qualifications and youthfulness. Yet, internal warnings about the strain on healthcare and housing affordability accompanied the announcement.
Housing affordability has become a pressing concern, with Canada boasting the highest prices among G-7 nations. The proliferation of temporary immigrants, particularly international students, has further compounded these challenges.
In 2023, Canada hosted over 1 million international students, a 245 percent increase from a decade earlier. This surge, facilitated by government encouragement, has significantly impacted higher education institutions financially.
Lisa Brunner, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of British Columbia, noted the intertwining of higher education and immigration, leading to mutual benefits for institutions and students alike.
Critics have urged the government to align immigration policies with infrastructure capacity. While acknowledging the benefits of immigration, economists caution against unchecked growth.
In response, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced targets for temporary immigrants and introduced measures to alleviate housing demand, including increased requirements for international students and restrictions on certain educational programs.
The federal budget plan also allocates resources to boost housing construction, acknowledging the need for comprehensive solutions to address housing affordability issues.
Despite these measures, the uncertainty surrounding immigration policies has left many international students in limbo. Simren Preetkaur, a student at Conestoga College, echoed concerns about balancing benefits for citizens and newcomers.
For many like Hardik Lathiya, who arrived from India in pursuit of education and opportunity, the Canadian dream has been clouded by financial struggles and uncertain prospects.
As Canada navigates these challenges, striking a balance between immigration and domestic needs remains paramount to its long-term success.