Preface
In Canada, there is currently a lot of discussion regarding immigration rates and policy. This topic is all over the news and, with an election in the near future (2025), many politicians are making their views on immigration and immigration policy plans very clear. However, my observation is that in response to discussions about immigration, there is a lot of misplaced negativity towards Canadian immigrants. Particularly on social media, where anyone can publish anything. There is a magnitude of false claims and “data” that generates resentment towards immigrants. It goes without saying that this is extremely concerning. So, this post will aim to address some common concerns. And, hopefully give you some perspective on where the current strain on resources in Canada originates from and where blame is placed. All facts will be cited under sources, so rest assured this information is accurate.
Yes, there is a housing crisis.
A lot of the recent immigration policy amendment discussion has stemmed from the current cost of living in Canada, specifically housing costs. It is no secret that yes, there is a housing crisis. Housing costs vary between provinces and territories, but the bottom line is that it is now more expensive than ever to become a homeowner. This is a very valid concern for many Canadians. You may have heard the term “population trap.” This is an issue that Canada is experiencing which essentially means that due to the growth rate of population there is no room to improve the standard of living for the existing population (Previl, 2024).
Considering majority of the population growth comes from immigration, there is a lot of criticism on the Trudeau government for increasing immigration numbers. So, this has seemed to create considerable negativity surrounding immigrants and the government “allowing” so many newcomers into the country. Which subsequently raises the cost of housing and rent. However, what I will focus on today is the immigration source of international students. The Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities of Canada, Sean Fraser, says this is the most impactful source of immigration (Previl, 2024). International student policy has been a leading topic in the immigration discussion and has also led to a lot of misplaced blame and frustration. Let’s take a look at what’s really going on here.
International Students
This migrant category is drawing a lot of attention due to the high number of international students that Canada admits to study each year. However, not all of these migrants that are in the country under student visas are actually students. Statistics Canada claims that around 19% of international students have no record of studying in Canada (Woolf, 2024). Although the percentage may seem low, that is indeed a lot of people. So, Canadians are quick to place blame on those who are “dishonestly” entering the country. However, the reality is that bringing in international students is a Canadian-based business. There is a lot of money to be made by dishonest Canadians in a position of power to collect tuition and fees.
There are a number of schools that operate on a business model that recruits and collects tuition from international students, regardless of if the students actually attend the school once in Canada (Woolf, 2024). Tuition for international students is much higher than their domestic classmates. Thus, they bring in significant funding to the institution that sends them an offer of acceptance. In addition, the Government of Canada has a high budget for overseas recruitment, drawing a large population of international students to Canada (Lewington, 2019). So, the reality of the situation is that the unsustainable number of international students is due to greed within Canada as well as the Government’s inability to regulate these numbers.
Unfortunately, they are likely focused on profits made off of international students. It is important to keep this in mind when tensions rise regarding the current cost of living. Consider who is really behind decisions regarding Canadian populations and who is simply accepting an opportunity to live or study abroad.
Debunking Other Common Misconceptions
While we are on the topic of immigration, there are a couple other misconceptions I would like to address. Firstly, immigrants absolutely do not raise crime rates. This is an extremely common assumption that is extremely harmful and simply not true. There is no statistical or observed connection between immigration rates and crime rates, or elevated crime in areas that experience a high volume of newcomers (McGill University, 2023). I had thought this false claim was debunked a while ago, but through my research on the topic I understand many people still believe there is a correlation. So, let it be known this is not true.
Secondly, immigrants do not take away employment opportunities. Actually, new immigrants experience difficulty in the labour market to find appropriate employment (Oreopoulos, 2011). To put the immigration process simply, the applications to gain residence in Canada are evaluated on a points system. Virtually every new immigrant these days must have at least an undergraduate degree to qualify (Oreopoulos, 2011). However, newcomers experience difficulty finding jobs in Canada that are a match for their skills and education levels. So, no, Canadian immigrants are not by any means filling jobs that existing pre-Canadians could have.
These are a few misconceptions that I wanted to bring to your attention. I really want to emphasize the point that yes, there are challenges with population growth; but, are they exactly as they appear? When considering what should be done to address issues in Canada that are heightened by a growing population we must avoid the narrative of an “immigration problem.” We should look at what the Government of Canada can be doing differently to mitigate these issues without placing blame on a population that arrived in Canada simply because they were presented with the opportunity to.
Some Food for Thought
If you have found yourself placing blame or misdirected frustration on immigrants in Canada, in the most judgement free tone, I urge you to consider a few things. Firstly, this is a great time to assess your inherent bias. Everyone has one, and this is not to shame you. However, it is imperative that we all consistently work towards understanding these biases and changing our mindset to a more critically analytic and well-rounded point of view.
Secondly, I want you to consider your privilege. The privilege of mobility rights as Canadians, that allow us to move freely (and in most countries without question or judgement). And our incredibly powerful passport that allows us to study, migrate, work, and travel around the world. I want you to ask yourself that if these privileges were taken away and the roles were reversed, what would you do? Put yourself in the shoes of an international student. What if you were told there was a place full of potential and the promise of a wealthy and successful future for you and your family (although this is not what many people find here but that is a whole other can of worms) and you were offered a way in? What would you do?
Sources
Lewington, J. (2019, November 4). Why universities are trying to recruit overseas students from as many places as possible – Macleans.ca. Macleans.ca. https://macleans.ca/education/why-universities-are-trying-to-diversify-where-overseas-students-come-from/
McGill University. (2023). Does immigration really increase crime? Newsroom Institutional Communications. https://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/channels/news/does-immigration-really-increase-crime-347099#:~:text=Many%20people%20who%20oppose%20immigration,no%20effect%20on%20actual%20crime.
Oreopoulos, P. (2011). “Why Do Skilled Immigrants Struggle in the Labor Market? A Field Experiment with Thirteen Thousand Resumes.” American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 3 (4): 148-71.
Previl, S. (2024). Canada needs immigration reform to escape ‘population trap,’ economists say. Global News. https://globalnews.ca/news/10229466/canada-immigration-reform-population-trap-economists/
Woolf, M. (2024, January 19). Immigration Minister urged to crack down on international student ‘no shows’ at colleges. The Globe and Mail. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-immigration-minister-urged-to-crack-down-on-international-student-no/
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