WES Weekly Roundup May 22, 2024

_{World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to helping international students, immigrants, and refugees achieve their educational and career goals in the United States and Canada. The weekly roundup includes research, stories, and events of interest to the Canadian immigration and settlement community. This content has been created by WES and is reproduced here with their permission, in partnership.}

Proof Point: Not addressing population aging can be very costly (RBC Thought Leadership)

Canada continues to experience explosive growth due to immigration booms in recent years. Experts warn that caps will not limit this expansion, but rather slow the pace and boost the rates of an aging population. Higher rates of immigration have been strategic in offsetting an aging workforce and population at large, with newcomers (permanent and non-permanent residents) being younger (28) than the average Canadian (42). Post-pandemic surges in arrivals drove Canada's median age lower for two consecutive years in 2022 and 2023, leading to a record average age of 40.6 years. Canada's pace of population growth continues to slow to 1.6 percent between 2025 and 2027 from the annual 3 percent seen in previous years. Recent caps introduced will only exacerbate this projection, representing nearly 1.1 million fewer people in Canada by 2027. If Canada does not take swift measures, researchers project that economic risks include larger funding shortfalls, a shrinking workforce, and stunted productivity.

Seek training in high-demand sectors, province tells immigrants with expiring work permits (CBC)

The P.E.I. government has announced it will not make immediate changes to its controversial new immigration rules, despite ongoing protests by foreign workers in Charlottetown. These new rules have left hundreds of immigrants, who are currently employed in industries such as restaurants and retail, worried that their work permits may not be extended, creating significant uncertainty about their future in Canada. Workforce Minister Jenn Redmond has advised immigrants with work permits expiring in 2025 to consider enrolling in training programs for high-priority areas such as health care and construction. This advice follows the government’s February announcement of a 25 percent reduction in the number of people nominated for permanent residency through the Provincial Nominee Program in P.E.I. The remaining nominee spots will prioritize specific occupations, especially related to healthcare and housing among other high needs fields. Protesters argue that the changes are unfair, given that they have invested significant time and money in the hope of obtaining permanent residency. Green Party MLA Karla Bernard, and the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce have criticized the policy as short-sighted, claiming it harms both individuals and local businesses.

To read further:

• Immigrant workers protest in P.E.I.: What's going on now and how did it start? (National Post)

I am a former immigration minister. Unsustainable population increases won’t solve Canada’s underlying issues: Chris Alexander in the Hub (MLI – Macdonald Laurier Institute)

Former Immigration Minister, Chris Alexander, weighs in on Canada’s recent challenges in balancing immigration and economic wellbeing for all. Canada experienced its largest annual population increase in 2023, driven by increased immigration rates – mainly for non-permanent residents including international student numbers, temporary foreign workers, and asylum claimants. Approximately one in four Canadians is of an immigrant background (one or more parents born outside of Canada). Recent trends indicate a doubling of immigration levels and non-permanent resident arrivals in just three years. Minister Alexander argues that globally, forced displacement has surged, impacting immigration trends in Canada and in other countries. He urged that policymakers at both the federal and provincial level must continue to consult with stakeholders to develop a comprehensive strategy that is equitable, while refining immigration targets and integration measures. Economic challenges, including stagnant incomes and infrastructure strains, pose concerns alongside the benefits of higher immigration levels. To sustainably manage immigration, Canada must address underlying and overlooked coordination challenges such as stabilizing immigration levels, addressing backlogs in asylum claims, and investing in immigrant entrepreneurship. Minister Alexander shares that this in tandem will revitalize the economy, keep Canada attractive to newcomers, and ensure future prosperity.