Authored by Michael O’Rourke, Senior Immigration Lawyer, US & Canada, Pace Law Firm.
Canada has long been recognized as a country that values diversity and extends a welcoming hand to refugees. It is a country that prides itself on its compassion and its humanitarian principles.
However, recent challenges in Canadian society have prompted questions and public concern about the country’s capacity to accommodate newcomers, including those fleeing persecution. This concern has flipped the script on Canada’s identity as a place that not only welcomes immigrants and refugees, but needs them in order for the country to thrive and succeed.
Immigration Boom and Bust
Over the past two years, the issuance of open work permits to visitors and other temporary visa holders has significantly contributed to the pressure on housing, healthcare, and social services. This should not come as a surprise; if you have more people, you need more stuff. And, up until very recently, Canada told the world that it definitely wanted a lot more people.
In 2014, Canada welcomed 260,000 immigrants. By 2021, that number was 401,000. Then in 2024, the Trudeau government stated that Canada would welcome 500,000 permanent residents every year through 2026. The government also said that it would draw many of these people from the ranks of temporary residents already in the country. It sounded like immigration would continue to be the lifeblood of Canadian growth for years to come.
The plan lasted 12 months.
Whiplash
The housing crisis, rising cost of living, and healthcare system backlogs came to a head as political problems in 2024 and immigration took a lot of the blame. Seemingly overnight, the perception became that immigration was not a vital part of the country’s growth. Rather, immigration was now a problem for Canada that needed to be solved.
The change in direction could give you whiplash. Barely a year after declaring that Canada would need 500,000 new permanent residents for each of the next two years, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that Canada would slash the number to 395,000 in 2025, cut it again to 380,000 in 2026, and cut it still further to 365,000 in 2027.
Blame Game
Public backlash against immigrants in general and refugees in particular has surged. A poll taken in late 2024 shows that for the first time in 25 years, a majority of Canadians believed that the country accepts too many immigrants. Headlines around that time declared that Canada had “soured” on immigration.
International students quickly became Canada’s primary target for cutting back on immigrants, but they weren’t alone. Asylum seekers and refugees were next in line, with the government shutting down sponsorship of refugees by private groups for at least the next year. A poll from October 2024 shows that a little over half of Canadians believe that refugees receive “too many” benefits, and less than 50% of Canadians believe that refugees should be an immigration priority.
But then, some refugees are more important than others. At least, that’s what a recent CBC investigation turned up. It highlights disparities in Canada’s treatment of refugee applicants, with certain groups facing disproportionately high rejection rates, while others are accepted 95% of the time. This underscores the need for Canada to address biases within its immigration system and uphold its reputation as a fair and equitable nation for all of those seeking safety.
Legacy
Canada must remember its legacy as a beacon for immigrants who help the country succeed, and as a safe harbour for those fleeing persecution and violence. The solution to the current immigration argument lies not in turning away from outsiders, but in adopting comprehensive policies that balance humanitarian commitments with economic and social realities. A responsible government must present a consistent message with predictable, equitable outcomes, and follow through on its promises.
Canada can reaffirm its role as a global leader in immigration acceptance and refugee protection while fostering an inclusive society. It just has to decide if it still wants to be a leader in the first place.
