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.
Shifting Perceptions: Unpacking Public Support for Immigrant Workers Integration in the Labor Market (IMF)
This IMF Working Paper examines public attitudes towards policies aimed at integrating immigrant workers in Canada, Italy, and the UK. Based on a survey of 6,300 respondents, it identifies three main drivers of public support for immigration: stereotypes about immigrants, awareness of integration policies, and perceptions of their economic and social impact. The study finds that providing information on the economic effects of integration significantly boosts support, particularly when the mechanisms behind these policies are explained rather than merely presenting their outcomes or stories of immigrant challenges. The major obstacle to garnering public support is concern over fairness to native workers, but tailored mitigation measures can improve acceptance, such as job protection and wage safeguards, transparent communication about policy benefits, financial support in high-immigration areas, and enhanced monitoring systems to ensure fair implementation and build trust. A key challenge remains building trust in the government’s ability to implement these policies effectively. The paper’s experiment tests different information treatments and shows that economic explanations are more persuasive than empathy-driven narratives in shifting attitudes.
Cap on foreign student permits costing Atlantic Canada $163M (CBC News)
Universities in Canada's Atlantic region are reporting a decrease of nearly 3000 international students this academic year, a decline that is being labelled as an effect of the federal government's push to reduce temporary immigration. The reduction reflects a reduction rate of 11.4 percent fewer students when compared with 2023-2024 enrolment data for the region's 16 universities. Nova Scotia saw the biggest drop in enrolments, with 2091 fewer students, followed by 747 at Newfoundland's Memorial University, and 143 at the University of Prince Edward Island. Higher-ed officials caution that the new measures of the federal government will continue to have negative effects on enrolment numbers and overall economic sustainability in the region, citing that the cap on study permits has triggered a shortfall of an estimated $163 million. International students significantly contribute to the Atlantic provinces, accounting for 30 percent of the total student population. Nearly 86 percent work while studying, and 75 percent live off campus.
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New temporary policy allows Indigenous people freer movement across borders (CBC)
The Canadian government has introduced temporary measures to facilitate cross-border mobility for eligible Indigenous people in the U.S., allowing those with family in Canada to work, study, or extend their stay for up to three years with relaxed requirements. This initiative is a step toward addressing long-standing challenges faced by Indigenous communities divided by the border. An individual from Couchiching First Nation shared her perspective, emphasizing the importance of status cards in enabling cross-border movement and calling for further recognition of tribal IDs to support cultural and family connections.
Canadian public opinion about immigration and refugees (Environics)
For the first time in 25 years, most Canadians say there is too much immigration. Public opinion on immigration is shifting as Canadians face economic challenges. Skepticism has grown over the last year, particularly in the Prairie provinces, while Quebec shows the least concern. The latest Focus Canada survey indicates that nearly 60 percent of Canadians think that the country accepts too many immigrants, a 14 percent rise since 2023, following a 17-point increase the previous year. This marks the biggest shift in opinion over two years since 1977 and the highest level of concern since largest 1998. Rising agreement spans all political affiliations, with concerns centered on housing, the economy, immigration system management, and overpopulation risks. Additionally, Canadians are questioning immigrant admission categories, and how well newcomers integrate, with most in favour of Canada prioritizing skilled immigrants who plan to settle permanently over higher levels for temporary workers and international students.
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