Canada Curbing Immigration as Elections Approach

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Facts

  • Ahead of the expected 2025 national elections, Canada has seen a surge in the number of foreign nationals being turned back at the borders, government data shows.[1]
  • The number of people denied entry into Canada each month in the first seven months of 2024 stood at an average of 3,727, 20% higher than in the same period the previous year.[2][1]
  • The country rejected 5,853 foreign travelers in July alone, the most since 2019, aiming to lower the number of temporary and permanent immigrants in Canada.[3]
  • The tightening follows a recent Leger poll in which 65% of Canadians said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government's immigration policies are too lenient.[4]
  • A Research Co. poll published in June also found that an increasing number of Canadians hold negative views about immigration, with 44% believing immigration levels in the country are too high, compared to 37% in 2023.[5]
  • Meanwhile, Immigration Minister Marc Miller has announced that some 'significant' changes to the Liberal Cabinet's migration policies are expected to be rolled out this fall.[6]

Sources: [1]Reuters, [2]VisaGuide.News, [3]Sun, [4]Leger, [5]British Columbia and [6]Immigration.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Toronto Star. Curbing immigration is not the solution to Canada’s challenges. Despite concerns about declining GDP per capita and productivity, the country faces a significant demographic crisis, with more people retiring than entering the workforce. Freezing immigration would exacerbate this issue, leading to an unsustainable burden on working Canadians. Immigration is essential for maintaining living standards, addressing labor shortages, and boosting productivity.
  • Narrative B, as provided by The Conversation. Immigration is not the solution to Canada’s economic challenges. Despite record levels of immigration, the country has seen stagnant income growth, declining productivity, and a lack of business investment. Increasing the number of newcomers without improving economic conditions, Canada risks losing its appeal to both current residents and potential immigrants.

Predictions