Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has recently expressed concerns over the rapidly increasing number of temporary immigrants entering Canada, emphasizing the need for this influx to be “under control.” Historically an advocate for immigration, Trudeau highlighted that the pace at which temporary foreign workers and international students are entering Canada is surpassing the country’s capacity for absorption.
Trudeau pointed out that temporary immigrants now constitute 7.5% of Canada’s population, a significant rise from 2% in 2017. He stressed the importance of reducing these figures to manage the situation responsibly, acknowledging the strain that this surge in temporary immigration has placed on Canadian communities.
The prime minister’s remarks signify a departure from his previous stance, where immigration was seen as a strategy to fuel economic growth and bridge labor shortages. However, the post-pandemic wave of immigrants has contributed to heightened pressures in various sectors, including escalating rent prices and burdens on the healthcare system.
Experts like Mike Moffatt, the founding director of the Place Centre, have suggested that the reluctance of provincial and federal governments to address this issue stems from a fear of being perceived as xenophobic. This sentiment was reflected in a notable shift in public opinion; while support for immigration reached a record high in 2020, it has since declined to its lowest point in three decades by the end of last year.
This change in Trudeau’s immigration policy rhetoric aligns with shifting public attitudes and comes at a time when his political rival, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, is gaining traction in public opinion polls across Canada.
