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.
The Leaky Bucket 2024: A closer look at immigrant onward migration in Canada (CBOC)
Economic immigrants are the most likely to leave Canada, as they express concern over Canada’s ability to fully honour their skills and provide high standards for quality of life. Many skilled immigrants arrive in Canada looking to establish new lives and apply their expertise in their fields - however for several reasons, Canada is facing challenges in retaining the best and brightest from abroad. The new report reflects a growing phenomenon where immigrants are increasingly opting to return to their country of origin or journey onto a new third country instead of settling long term in Canada. This highest proportion of people leaving the country had arrived in cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, while smaller cities like Calgary, Halifax, and Moncton appear to experience greater levels of immigrant retention. Francophone migrants are more likely to leave Canada when compared to their Anglophone counterparts - representing a retention rate of roughly 35 percent. Advocates are urging all levels of government to develop a multistakeholder retention plan to ensure the resilience of Canada's workforce and social fabric.
To read further:
Foresights for Human Rights, 2024 (Canadian Human Rights Museum)
Canadians are continuing to express greater concern over immigration, in line with socio-economic challenges facing the country. A recent survey notes that Canadians are feeling increasingly uneasy about immigration policy management and its role in shaping the country's current economic landscape. Notably, respondents worry that as heightened focus is placed on newcomers and refugees, a decreased amount of attention is being paid to resolving economic challenges - even growing sentiment that immigration measures have exacerbated economic strain over the past few years. The research indicates that a majority (56 percent) of respondents believe that refugees and asylum seekers receive "too many benefits"; highlighting a significant increase over the last year, from 49 percent. Additionally, there is a decrease in the number of Canadians who believe that immigration is beneficial to Canada; 52 percent in 2023, to 44 percent in 2024. Although immigration was among the key focuses of the survey, respondents also discussed issues including housing affordability, expressing a desire for housing to be a protected human right for everyone living in Canada.
To read further:
Sorting facts from fiction on centres for asylum seekers (CBC)
Ottawa plans to build 30,000-square-foot welcoming centers for asylum seekers near the Nepean Sportsplex, with a potential second site in Kanata South. These centers will offer private pods, running water, and essential services such as trauma support and housing assistance, with the hope of providing a dignified, temporary solution for up to 90 days. While some residents have raised concerns about safety and tent-like structures, city officials have responded by discussing the durability of the buildings, 24-hour security, and have sent out messaging to locals about there being no increase in crime near similar facilities and that many asylum seekers are already contributing to the local economy. The $106 million, federally funded project aims to alleviate pressure on existing shelters. The centers were chosen for their quick construction timeline after more permanent options proved unfeasible. Public consultations will begin in 2025, and the centers may later be repurposed for community use.
Better co-ordination and governance needed to steer Canada’s migration policies (IRPP)
Canada is implementing significant changes to migration policies, including population targets for temporary residents, in response to public concerns over housing, healthcare, and infrastructure pressures. Immigration levels are being reduced, with permanent residents capped at 365,000 by 2027 and temporary residents limited to 5% of the population by 2026. These shifts address a growing sentiment that current migration rates are unsustainable, yet it has also made clear the need for better governance and coordination to address broader systemic issues. Federal and provincial policies on international students and temporary foreign workers remain fragmented, with provinces like Ontario and Quebec introducing their own measures to cap enrollments and reduce temporary worker numbers. However, these efforts often lack alignment, leaving gaps in oversight and creating inefficiencies. To steer migration policy effectively, silos need to be broken down between federal and provincial governments and merging federal temporary worker programs. Stronger collaboration with postsecondary institutions and clearer governance structures are essential to managing migration sustainably while balancing population growth with the capacity of public services.
Further Reading:
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