May 24, 2023

Canada: A Top Immigration Destination

Canada is expected to remain a popular immigration destination due to its unique level of support for immigrants, as reported by the Century Initiative, a national, non-partisan charity that advocates for the economic and societal benefits of increasing Canada's population to 100 million people by 2100. According to their report, the growing support for immigration in Canada is due to the growth of Canadians' multicultural identity, with 64% of Canadians agreeing that multiculturalism is a symbol of Canada's identity. The report also highlights the fact that nearly a quarter of Canada's total population is immigrants, and this diversity is seen as a strength for Canada.

However, the report also highlights some risk factors that could negatively impact immigration in Canada. These include access to affordable housing, public infrastructure and services, economic challenges, and political rhetoric. Despite these challenges, the report recommends that Canada should support and strengthen the business attraction of immigrants through programs such as the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot and the Global Skills Strategy.

Canada is perceived internationally as a country that offers a high quality of life in terms of healthcare, education, housing, safety, and tolerance. This means that Canada is well-positioned to attract and retain newcomers. The report states that maintaining a positive attitude among Canadians is crucial for Canada's immigration strategy as it hopes to welcome 500,000 new immigrants per year by 2025.

In this blog, we will explore why Canada is expected to remain a popular immigration destination, the factors that make Canada unique in its level of support for immigrants, the risks that could negatively impact immigration, and the recommendations for maintaining and strengthening Canada's position as a top destination for immigrants.

 

Canada's Unique Level of Support for Immigrants

The Century Initiative report highlights that Canada holds an advantage over other countries in terms of its overwhelming support for immigration. Support for immigration in Canada has grown steadily since the late 1990s and did not see any significant decrease due to the global recession in 2008 or the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. The report says support has grown simultaneously alongside "growth in Canadian's multicultural identity." The report also shows that 76% of Canadians think Canada should accept more immigrants from places experiencing major conflicts.

One of the major factors in support is that nearly a quarter of Canada's total population are immigrants. The 2021 census shows 1.3 million new permanent residents settled in Canada between 2016 and 2021, and Statistics Canada forecasts the country's immigrant population will continue to rise as high as 34% by 2041. The report surmises that this diversity is seen as a strength for Canada and that it has helped Canadians recognize that immigration is important to strengthening the national economy and growing Canada's population.

 

Canada's "International Brand"

According to the report, one of the main factors in Canada's ability to attract immigrants is what the report describes as Canada's "International Brand." Canada is perceived internationally as a country that offers a high quality of life in terms of healthcare, education, housing, safety, and tolerance. This means that Canada is well-positioned to attract and retain newcomers.

The report cites that Canada's economy is strong globally, and the Bank of Canada (BoC) says it is unlikely Canada will see a major recession in 2023. Still, the current rate of inflation is high at 6.9% as of last January, and the BoC raised interest rates to slow the economy by disincentivizing borrowing and spending. It is expected that GDP growth will slow and decrease from 3.6% in 2022 to just 1% through 2023.

 

The Risks That Could Negatively Impact Immigration

Despite Canada's unique level of support for immigrants and its "International Brand," the report also highlights some risks that could negatively impact immigration to Canada. These risks include:

  1. Economic downturn: If the Canadian economy experiences a downturn, there may be less demand for new immigrants. Canadian businesses may also reduce their hiring of immigrants, which could make it harder for new arrivals to find employment.
  2. Reduced immigration targets: The Canadian government could reduce immigration targets for political or economic reasons. This would make it harder for potential immigrants to come to Canada.
  3. Competition from other countries: Other countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, are also actively recruiting immigrants. If these countries offer more attractive immigration programs or benefits, potential immigrants may choose to go there instead of Canada.
  4. Anti-immigrant sentiment: Although Canada is generally known for its welcoming attitude towards immigrants, there are still some people who are opposed to immigration. If anti-immigrant sentiment increases, it could make it more difficult for new arrivals to integrate into Canadian society.
  5. Changes to immigration policies: Canadian immigration policies are subject to change. If the government introduces new policies that are less favorable to immigrants, it could make it more difficult for potential immigrants to come to Canada.

Overall, while there are risks that could negatively impact immigration to Canada, the country's strong support for newcomers and its reputation as an immigrant-friendly destination are likely to continue to attract immigrants from around the world.

 

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