Immigration has become a significant concern for Canadians, including the immigrant community, who are now calling for a temporary halt to it. This issue was discussed in a recent interview with Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the opposition, on Red FM Canada.
Under the Liberal government, immigration levels have surged, rising from 271,000 in 2015 to a projected 500,000 by 2025. Additionally, the number of temporary residents in Canada has grown to 2.8 million by the first quarter of 2024, which includes international students, individuals with work permits, and asylum seekers. This group now makes up more than 6.8% of the total population, compared to 3.5% two years ago.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged in April 2024 that the number of temporary residents exceeds what the country can absorb and emphasized the need to reduce these numbers. Immigration Minister Marc Miller, in an interview with Bloomberg, also remarked that permanent residency should not be an assured promise for international students.
For the first time, the Immigration Minister will announce annual immigration levels for temporary residents in November 2024, alongside the usual permanent resident levels.
Challenges and Missteps
Immigration has always been crucial for Canada’s growth, but the government has relied on retrospective data for decision-making. For instance, the immigration department is prioritizing professionals in skilled trades to address a labor shortage, despite recent Statistics Canada data showing a significant drop in job vacancies in this sector.
The government has been slow to act on known issues, such as the increase in temporary residents. Although the immigration minister announced plans to limit the number of international students earlier this year, they are waiting until November to set annual targets for temporary residents. Proactive and timely action based on the latest data is essential to prevent problems from escalating.
Can Canada Halt Immigration Temporarily?
While some prospective immigrants and temporary residents might view this negatively, a temporary reduction could be beneficial. International students are facing high fees and living costs, only to find limited economic opportunities and pathways to permanent residency.
Canada has a large pool of talented individuals to choose from, but admitting too many without sufficient economic opportunities is counterproductive. Limiting immigration can alleviate pressure and create better opportunities for both new and existing residents.
Pierre Poilievre suggests that completely halting immigration is not feasible, but reducing it can help. It is anticipated that the government will lower immigration targets in November, influenced by the upcoming 2025 elections, where immigration will be a significant issue for voters.
Controlled immigration, based on current economic data, will benefit new residents by providing them with better opportunities to integrate and succeed in Canada.
