The Global Story cover image

The Global Story

Has Canada soured on immigration?

Jan 2, 2025
Celia Hatton, the BBC's Asia-Pacific editor, explores Canada’s shifting perspectives on immigration with a nuanced lens. For the first time this century, many Canadians are expressing concerns over newcomers amidst rising costs and a housing crisis. Hatton shares insights from her conversations with politicians and activists, highlighting the delicate balance between Canada’s multicultural identity and emerging public sentiment. She delves into the challenges faced by asylum seekers and the complexities shaping this vital national debate.
26:30

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Public sentiment in Canada has shifted, with rising concerns about immigration levels attributed to the cost of living crisis and housing shortages.
  • The Canadian government is responding to immigration concerns by reducing quotas, yet many still feel these measures inadequately address deeper economic issues.

Deep dives

Canada's Evolving Immigration Narrative

Canada has traditionally prided itself on its welcoming immigration policies, boasting a significant portion of its population as first or second-generation immigrants. Recently, however, public sentiment has shifted dramatically, with a growing majority expressing concerns over immigration levels for the first time this century. Factors behind this change include rising housing prices and fears about the integration of newcomers into Canadian society, leading to protests from groups advocating for reduced immigration. This has sparked a debate about whether Canada can maintain its values of diversity and multiculturalism in the face of an overwhelming influx of asylum seekers and immigrants.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode