More immigrants leaving
What's going on in Canada? The "historic land of immigration" is witnessing a growing number of immigrants choosing to leave the country. This comes from a study by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship and the Conference Board of Canada. Published in October 2023, the study reveals a notable trend since the late 80s, which has gained momentum in recent years.
As per the study, each year, 0.9% of immigrants who obtained permanent residence in Canada in 1982 or later choose to leave the country. While this percentage might appear small compared to the influx of new arrivals, it indicates a consistent trend over time. The study's findings suggest that the risk of "renewed migration" or leaving Canada is notably high during the 4th to 7th years after an individual arrives in the country.
Contrary to common belief, immigrants don't always come to Canada with the intention of settling permanently. While arriving in large numbers, they also leave in more significant numbers. The departure rate was 18% by the end of the 80s, increasing to 21% in the first half of the 90s. The study even identifies two peaks of departures: between 2016 and 2017, the number of immigrants leaving Canada surged by 43%, rising from 0.8% in 2016 to 1.15% in 2017. Another peak occurred in 2019, with a departure rate of +1.18%, marking a 31% increase compared to the historical average of 0.9% departures.
A long-lasting phenomenon
This isn't a recent development; instead, it's a persistent trend. The concern deepens, especially since it significantly impacts permanent residents who have been in the country for one or two decades. The study reveals that, on average, 14.6% of immigrants leave Canada within 15 years of obtaining their permanent residence permit. The departure rate is lower among those who arrived in the mid-1980s but higher among those who came in the late 90s, with a noticeable leap among those who arrived in the 2000s.
The rise in departures is particularly noticeable among immigrants who have been in Canada for the long term. Cumulative departure data after 25 years in Canada demonstrate a consistent progression. Departure rates increased from approximately 18% for immigrants who arrived in the early 80s to around 21% for those who obtained permanent residency in the mid-90s.
The situation is particularly concerning, considering that, concurrently, the government has been actively promoting immigration. In October 2017, the Trudeau government revised its immigration laws to streamline the path to Canadian citizenship. The Canada Immigration Plan targeted 310,000 new permanent residents in 2018, 330,000 in 2019, and 340,000 in 2020. The recently unveiled 2024-2026 plan, presented in early November, aims to welcome 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024, 500,000 in 2025, and another 500,000 in 2026. While the projected figures include changes in the status of immigrants already planned for the territory, they must be set against the departure statistics.
Canadian dream or mirage?
The study highlights challenges in integrating into the job market, which turns out to be more challenging than expected. Despite chronic labor shortages offering promising opportunities for expatriates, the reality is that finding a job matching their qualifications and skills is more complex. Diplomas and skills aren't always recognized, leading foreigners to settle for positions below their qualifications and accept lower wages.
The study also sheds light on the impact of racism. The so-called "Canadian dream" has proven elusive for numerous French-speaking African students, as their applications faced lower acceptance rates than others. Organizations have been raising awareness about this issue for more than a decade, describing it as "systemic" discrimination. However, it was only in 2022 that Immigration Canada officially acknowledged the presence of "racism" in Canada as well as within its organization.
In October 2020, the Canadian newspaper Le Devoir investigated "systemic racism in Canadian universities." The study conducted by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship and the Conference Board of Canada brought up additional factors, including challenges in finding housing, the high cost of living, as well as more promising career prospects in other countries.
The housing crisis is affecting the whole nation
Most of the Canadian population still supports the government's immigration policies, especially in provinces dealing with significant labor shortages that actively encourage foreigners to come and work. However, there's a shifting trend as the number of supporters seems to be decreasing, giving way to an increasing number of dissatisfied individuals. These insights come from a survey conducted by the Environics Institute for Focus Canada, published on October 28, 2023. The report notes a substantial reduction in the gap between Canadians supporting current immigration and those expressing concerns about immigration being too high, shrinking from 42% to 7% since 2022.
The primary source of dissatisfaction is the housing crisis. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Canada will require an additional 3.5 million housing units by 2030. Those in favor of reduced immigration argue that expatriates are contributing to the housing crisis. Their opinion seems to be shared by some politicians. In August, Sean Fraser, former Minister of Immigration and current Minister of Housing, contemplated restricting the influx of international students to address the housing crisis.
In response to the public outcry, Marc Miller, the Minister of Immigration, addressed the issue three weeks later. During an interview with CBC Radio, he expressed concern about the "student-housing crisis" association. It's a dangerous association that stigmatizes "people from diverse backgrounds who come to Canada and contribute to the country's progress". Miller emphasized the significant economic contribution of foreigners to Canada, particularly through tuition fees, highlighting their crucial role in the economy.
How can Canada retain immigrants?
The mass departures are an urgent issue for the Canadian government because immigration is crucial for economic growth. Numerous sectors are grappling with severe labor shortages. However, immigrants are highlighting a perceived "double standard" where certain provinces actively seek labor while they face obstacles such as discrimination, racism, and being relegated to under-qualified jobs.
In its conclusion, the study conducted by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship and the Conference Board of Canada advocates for new measures aimed at welcoming and, importantly, retaining immigrants. The authors of the study put forward three primary recommendations, namely enhancing reception and support services to make the lives of foreigners in Canada "more pleasant," making significant investments to improve the recruitment of foreigners and retain those already in the country, and allocating more resources to enhance access to healthcare and fortify the education system.
The government has also paid considerable attention to the concerns of Canadians and immigrants, particularly housing. In March, the federal government launched a CA$4 billion fund to accelerate the construction of 100,000 housing units.
