‘Beyond Canada’s absorptive capacity’: Trudeau on immigration flows

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged the challenges posed by an increase in temporary immigrants entering the North American country, saying it was more than Canada could absorb and the situation needed to be “under control.” Indians are the main group of foreign workers and international students in Canada.

Speaking at an event in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Trudeau highlighted the sharp increase in temporary immigrants, particularly international students and foreign workers.

“Whether it’s temporary foreign workers or especially international students, it’s growing at a rate that’s far beyond Canada’s ability to absorb,” Justin Trudeau said at an event.

Trudeau mentioned that in 2017, only 2% of the population were temporary immigrants, but now this proportion has increased to 7.5%.

“For example, in 2017, 2 per cent of Canada’s population were temporary immigrants. Now 7.5 per cent of our population are temporary immigrants. This is something we need to take back control of,” Global News quoted Trudeau as saying.

The prime minister added that the situation was leading to mental health problems among international students and making businesses more reliant on temporary foreign workers, lowering wages in some sectors.

“We want to reduce these numbers. It’s a responsible approach to immigration, for our permanent residents, like us, but also for temporary immigrants who are putting huge pressure on our communities. more positions,” Trudeau said.

In October, 44.5% of Canadians told Ekos there were too many immigrants; Citing lack of affordable housing as the main reason, up from a 30-year low of 14% in February 2022. In the last quarter of last year, rental inflation reached 7.8%.

housing shortage

Canada welcomes 550,000 international students in 2022. Of these, 40% (226,000) are from India. There are 320,000 Indians staying in Canada on student visas.

But the rate of immigration has outpaced the pace of Canadian home construction. By 2030, Canada will be short of 3.5 million residential units.

Canadian Immigration Minister Mark Miller announced on March 21 that Ottawa will set a target for the number of temporary residents allowed into Canada to ensure sustainable growth.

Over the next three years, the goal is to reduce the number of temporary residents to 5% of Canada’s total population.

According to Global News, in terms of permanent residents, Canada aims to welcome 485,000 new immigrants and plans to increase this to 500,000 in 2025 and 2026.

in January, Canada announces immediate two-year cap on international students Permits and a freeze on certain postgraduate work visas have limited the number of new immigrants amid a growing housing crisis.

The move, expected to reduce study permit approvals by 35 per cent to about 360,000 in 2024, comes as the federal government faces growing pressure over concerns that its ambitious immigration targets are exacerbating a national housing shortage .