Yes. Although the country has been massively successful in integrating newcomers, there are some worrying signs. Truth be told, Canada is noted as one of the most popular countries in the world for immigration especially since it offers enormous opportunities for employment as well as personal growth.
The country is also considered a suitable location for individuals who are seeking a better life, a better standard of living, and money. Aside from the good standard of living available in Canada, the country’s immigration policy is renowned for providing Immigrants with skills, training, social services, pathways to citizenship, and orientation programs.
According to experts, Immigration remains a core driver of Canada’s population and labor force growth, and it plays a very vital role in the country’s economic growth. The country’s dependence on immigration is as a result of its aging population and low birth rate.
An aging population is believed to be more expensive to cater to since they always need certain government-funded amenities such as health care. Older people also spend less than younger ones and this entails weaker economic activity.
Note that Canada boasts of one of the leading immigration systems in the world due to its unflinching desire to modernize and encourage improvements. The country has made very notable progress in recent years such as through the establishment of Express Entry and a multi-year immigration levels plan.
Express Entry has helped to hasten economic class application processing while a multi-year levels plan offers stakeholders across the country adequate time to arrange for a larger influx of Immigrants. While the IRCC deserves some accolades for its work in handling the immigration system, have it in mind that the immigration system in the country has its own problems.
Canada’s Immigration Problems
Table of Contents
Low Public Confidence
In times past, Canada has carefully handled increases in immigration without any notable public backlash; however, ongoing attention is necessary now to sustain public confidence in the immigration program. Note that any additional increase in immigration will have to address public concerns, especially relating to the pace of change and its impacts on Canadian society.
According to reports, public concerns especially in terms of the pace of change will have to be considered, and most situations showed through concerns over immigrant “values,” whether legitimate (for instance, about unrealistic accommodation requests) or xenophobic. Note that reduced levels of immigration that buttresses a rigid and independent review of these and other factors are the best policy option.
Low Individual Incomes
Although increased immigration grows the overall size of the economy, have it in mind that it most often does not lead to higher individual incomes. Since a good number of immigrants tend to reside in urban centers, the infrastructure, and necessary costs will have to be factored into the determination of immigration levels.
Additionally, express interest will have to be given to integration, mainly because Immigrants tend to settle in neighborhoods with members of their own ethnic or religious group.
Also, since immigrants will always want to reside in the country’s urban centers, infrastructure and related investments must be promptly designed to guarantee that these cities remain liveable destinations. In addition, policies and result-oriented laws will have to be developed to reduce speculative and other pressures on affordable housing.
Unemployment and Reduced Job Quality/Wages
Owing to the massive immigration rate in Canada, note that the labor force is greater than the available employment. It simply means that jobs are no longer adequate for the residents of Canada. Have it in mind that the citizens of Canada are affected more as employers prefer to employ immigrants to work for them.
Reports also have it that immigrants have a massive negative impact on Canada’s employment as they steal jobs from native-born Canadians. Also, have it in mind that the quality of many jobs has reduced drastically owing to the massive immigration rates in the country. This tends to occur when the wages of domestic workers are cut low.
Presently, employers in the country are more than willing to employ more immigrants since these individuals won’t mind settling for less pay primarily to sustain themselves and keep up with living. Meanwhile, the native-born Canadian won’t take such a job because they know and acknowledge that it is unfair.
Overpopulation
Overpopulation more or less happens when the number of occupants of a country surpasses the ability of the country to provide basic life amenities for those occupants. In Canada, have it in mind that the level of immigration has caused the country to become overpopulated. This overpopulation has also given room to other problems.
According to experts, these problems include; violence, environmental pollution, increased conflict, higher demand for the necessities of life, and more. The high rate of immigration into Canada has caused overpopulation, and it is becoming an issue to the point where the resources of Canada can no longer see to the needs of the population.
Terrorism
According to detailed reports, Canada provides sanctuary to about 50 terrorist groups. It is believed that the most suitable method of entry is simple: do away with identification papers, claim refugee status at Canada customs, tell a very touching story, and walk out a free terrorist, eligible for the numerous welfare, social, and medical benefits offered in the country.
On a per-capita basis, Canada tends to take in six times as many refugees as the United States and four times the average among members of the Convention on Refugees. This is because the country has an open welfare system that attracts more applicants and because of Canada’s high acceptance rate (46 percent), while the United States accepts 21 percent.
Increased Hate Crimes and Discriminatory Hiring Practices
Canada has not always been a welcoming country; instead, it has a well-documented history of racial discrimination against immigrants. A good number of Asian immigrants in Canada are conversant with racism, both covert and overt.
With the advent of information and communication technology, it is reported that most people seeking to move to the country have been well tutored by their families and friends already in Canada against discrimination, particularly in the job market.
According to reports, the Canadian job market is renowned for its systemic discrimination against professional credentials, work experience, language, culture, and ethno-racial minority Immigrants. However, as a country that depends on immigrants to supplant the fast dwindling domestic supply of talents in its labor market, the country is competing for high-skilled talents in demand globally.
Howbeit, for Canada, to remain a top destination for skilled workers, it must establish a welcoming and inclusive environment for immigrants in Canada. Truth be told, Canada is becoming more dependent on immigration to support its prosperity.
With immigration set to become a very critical issue, the government must identify problems and issues with its immigration policies and how they affect the general populace and also seek ways to improve what is already arguably the best immigration system in the world.