Is Canada’s consensus on immigration fracturing?

Feb 9, 2024

Cracks in the consensus on immigration in Canada have emerged due to a surge in unplanned growth. Minister Marc Miller discusses the breakdown and measures to address concerns. Speakers analyze the impact of immigration on housing affordability and healthcare, and urge for better planning and coordination. The chapter also discusses blaming immigrants and the need for responsible government planning, as well as addressing challenges in the foreign worker programs and housing for asylum seekers.

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Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Debate around Immigration in Canada

01:56 • 24min

The Social Consensus on Immigration: Falling Apart or on the Decline?

25:46 • 3min

The Impact of Immigration on Canada's Prosperity and Challenges

29:09 • 4min

Blaming immigrants and questioning government planning

32:41 • 2min

Coordination, Planning, and Responsibility in Canadian Immigration

34:54 • 2min

Addressing Immigration and Foreign Worker Programs in Canada

36:43 • 8min

Challenges of Low-Wage Workers and Housing for Asylum Seekers

44:55 • 18min

For decades, there was solid political and social consensus on immigration in Canada. But recently, cracks in that consensus have emerged.

In 2023, Canada’s population hit 40 million, after growing by more than a million people in one year. Most of that growth was in temporary residents, such as international students and temporary foreign workers.

Unlike with permanent residents, Canada doesn’t set targets or caps on how many people enter the country on a temporary status. Amidst a housing crisis and a health care system buckling under the weight of demand, a growing number of Canadians appear to be pointing the finger at policies that allowed for a surge in unplanned growth.

Last month, in response, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced a two-year cap on international students and a promise to crack down on so-called “puppy mill” private colleges.

On today’s show, experts discuss what contributed to the breakdown in Canada’s long-held consensus, and Miller sits down for an interview with Althia.

In this episode: Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller, Toronto Star immigration reporter Nicholas Keung, Place Centre founding director Mike Moffat, Abacus Data CEO David Coletto, Statistics Canada demographer Patrick Charbonneau, Canadian Chamber of Commerce senior vice president Matthew Holmes, Dalhousie University assistant professor of social work Raluca Bejan, Centre for Newcomers chief program officer Kelly Ernst, University of British Columbia post-doctoral research fellow Lisa Brunner and One Voice Canada’s Balraj Kahlon. Hosted by Althia Raj.

Some of the clips this week were sourced from: Kellie Leitch for Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, YouTube, CBC, CTV, CBC Radio, The Montreal Gazette, CPAC and Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery.

This episode of “It’s Political” was produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein and mixed by Kevin Sexton. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.

• 4:20 — Mini documentary on public opinion, the rise of unplanned migration and some of its consequences

• 26:44 — Interview with Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller