Trudeau's Warning: Immigration Surge Overwhelms Canada's Resources
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged the mounting pressure on resources due to a surge in temporary immigrants, particularly international students and foreign workers, entering Canada. Trudeau remarked that these numbers have risen at a pace exceeding Canada's capacity to accommodate them.
Gurmeet Sharma
Speaking at an event in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Trudeau highlighted the significant increase in temporary immigration, emphasizing the strain it has placed on the country's infrastructure.
"Whether it's temporary foreign workers or international students, the growth has surpassed our ability to absorb them," Trudeau stated at the event. He noted that in 2017, temporary immigrants made up only 2% of Canada's population, but this figure has escalated to 7.5% currently.
Trudeau emphasized the adverse effects of this influx, including mental health issues among international students and increased reliance on temporary foreign workers, leading to wage suppression in certain sectors.
"To address this, we aim to reduce these numbers responsibly while maintaining our commitment to permanent residents," Trudeau affirmed.
Public opinion on immigration has also shifted, with concerns about housing affordability rising sharply. In response, Ottawa plans to establish targets for temporary residents, aiming to limit their share of the population to 5% over the next three years.
Moreover, Canada intends to welcome 485,000 new permanent residents in the coming years, with plans to increase this number further by 2025 and 2026. This decision follows measures taken in January, including a temporary cap on international student permits and certain postgraduate work visas, to mitigate the strain on housing and infrastructure posed by record newcomer arrivals.
