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.
U.S. election: How would Harris, Trump immigration plans impact Canada? (Global News)
U.S. presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have differing immigration policies that could significantly impact Canada. Harris supports immigration but advocates maintaining Biden-era asylum restrictions while pushing for bipartisan reform to bolster border patrol and asylum processing. She has also focused on addressing migration "root causes" in Central and South America by establishing processing centers in the region. In contrast, Trump’s approach is more restrictive, with plans for mass deportations, ending birthright citizenship, and increasing border security through the National Guard and policies requiring asylum seekers to remain in Mexico. For Canada, a Harris presidency would likely foster a cooperative approach to managing shared immigration challenges. However, a Trump administration could strain Canadian resources, as his mass deportation plans might drive undocumented immigrants northward, overwhelming Canada’s border services and social infrastructure. With migration already increasing at Canada’s northern border, the election outcome could significantly influence how Canada manages its own immigration pressures.
Quebec freezes two major immigration streams, citing pressure on services (Toronto Star)
The Government of Quebec announced a temporary halt to the Quebec Experience Program and the Regular Skilled Worker Program, citing concerns over strained social services, language preservation, and cultural identity. The moratorium coincides with the province’s announcement to welcome 67,000 immigrants in 2025—several thousand more than in 2023 and 2024. These two programs have been the primary economic immigration pathways in Quebec, followed by family reunification and humanitarian channels. Despite the increased immigration target, the province aims to prioritize French-speaking migrants, with nearly 80 percent of economic pathway newcomers required to speak French. Quebec continues to seek greater autonomy over both temporary and permanent immigration levels. The freeze takes effect immediately and is expected to remain until June 2025.
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How Canada’s new immigration targets will impact the economy (RBC)
Adjustments to immigration levels have raised questions about the economic impact of reduced numbers. Previously ambitious immigration targets aimed to address labor shortages and Canada’s aging population. The revised targets are intended to help regulate the housing market, though economic concerns may persist. For the first time, the plan includes targets for non-permanent residents (NPRs) due to rapid growth in temporary immigration, which has significantly impacted housing and essential services demand. Over 40 percent of permanent resident admissions next year are expected to come from NPRs. While caps on NPRs won’t end population growth, they will slow it and accelerate population aging. Immigration cuts are expected to reduce the growth rate from over 3 percent to nearly zero by 2025-26, with potential impacts on the Bank of Canada’s forecast, GDP growth, and productivity. Although these changes may temporarily cool the housing market, underlying issues remain.
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Hunger Count 2024: Buckling Under the Strain (Food Banks Canada)
Food banks across Canada are experiencing unprecedented demand, with more than two million visits recorded in March 2024 alone—a six percent increase from March 2023 and a 90 percent jump from pre-pandemic levels. In Toronto, 1 in 10 residents now rely on food banks monthly, with Daily Bread Food Bank seeing 350,000 visits each month, including 12,000 new clients. Notably, over half of these new clients are employed full-time, and 60 percent have post-secondary education. Nearly 32 percent of food bank clients are newcomers, highlighting broader economic challenges, including inflation, high living costs, and limited affordable housing. Food security advocates are urging for a pan-Canadian food-security and anti-poverty strategy at the local and federal level, that includes a “Groceries and Essentials” benefit to support low-income workers.
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