Immigrants, let's not let them down

  

It’s an interesting conundrum Canada finds itself in, with population growth exceeding expectations. 

In some ways, we’re the envy of the industrialized world, where falling birth rates are causing population decline. Unlike some countries, we attract immigrants from all over the world to make up for an otherwise aging population. 

China is facing a demographic disaster because it chooses not to welcome immigrants. Last year its population decreased by two million people. Based on current trends, the country will decline from 1.4 billion today to under 400 million by 2100, making it a smaller than the U.S. At Canada’s current rate of growth, we could have a population of over 100 million by 2100. 

While it’s better than a decline, this growth rate may be too fast. From what we’re hearing, unlimited student and temporary worker visas are driving up numbers past what Canada can ideally absorb – at maximum, 500,000 newcomers per year – given our infrastructure, economy and social supports. Canada’s population grew by more than 430,000 in the third quarter of 2023 alone, a phenomenal population explosion. With increased pressure on housing, healthcare and education, provincial and municipal governments are doing everything they can to keep up. 

 Canadians have generally viewed immigration in a positive light, but that could be changing. Even among immigrants, over 60% now favour fewer immigrants being allowed into the country. When you think about it, this isn’t that strange. A newcomer to this country is in direct competition with others for work and housing, so the fewer that come, the better chance of success.  

It takes sacrifice to leave one’s home to live in a foreign country. Newcomers should be able to begin their lives here knowing they will have access to affordable housing and the services necessary to make their lives successful. At this rate of growth, we appear to be letting them down. 

Most importantly, we don’t want to create anti-immigrant sentiment, which may seem unlikely in Canada, but as we know with cultural issues, could change with the flip of a switch. 

No one could have foreseen the xenophobic wave that spread across the U.S. when Donald Trump became president in 2016. The country went from being a progressive bastion of hope – after re-electing its first black president – to a fortress of fear that invoked a travel ban on “Muslim countries” in Trump’s first year as president. 

Unlike the U.S., Canada doesn’t have a southern border issue. We have the luxury of controlling almost all aspects of our immigration system that’s designed to attract the cream of the crop from other countries – those who are likely to be the most successful at adapting to our society. 

And if they don’t reach their full potential here in Canada, it’s likely that their kids will. The same sense of urgency that leads people to leave their country to live in a frigid country called Canada influences their children's life choices. 

As someone married to an immigrant, I understand the mindset: Take nothing for granted. Get a good, if not great, education! Although there’s no pressure on our daughter to become a high-paid surgeon, we not-so-secretly hope for something more than becoming an arts major. Maybe an immigration lawyer? 

I'm thankful we live in a country that recognizes the benefits of immigration. Let’s work hard to keep it that way.