2024-09-05 21:26:29
Ottawa: The Justin Trudeau government of Canada is taking strict measures to reduce the number of people coming to the country from outside. This includes both official and unofficial steps. This is going to affect Indians the most, which is the major immigrant community coming here. In fact, immigration has become a political issue in Canada and the Trudeau government is facing strong opposition from voters regarding this. According to a Reuters report, the ratio of rejected visitor visa applications to approved visitor visa applications in recent months was higher than at any time since the peak of the Corona epidemic.
More applications rejected than approved
The report shows that in January, February, May and June 2024, immigration officials rejected more applications than they approved. The number of work permits and study permits also declined during this period. In July, Canada refused visas to 6,000 foreigners, including workers and tourists. This is the highest number since January 2019. Reuters reported that this change appears to be informal.
Change in the attitude of Canadians
A recent survey has revealed a major change in Canadians’ attitude towards immigration. The rising number of immigrants is being blamed for the crisis of inflation and increased costs. A lawyer handling immigration cases in Novo Scotia told the Guardian that people are now openly talking to him about stopping immigrants from coming or expelling them. A few years ago they did not feel comfortable doing so.
What does the government have to say?
Just last week, Immigration Minister Mark Miller said his ministry would reevaluate the number of people applying for permanent residence. “It’s time to look at this and put real options in front of the prime minister and cabinet. These shouldn’t just be cosmetic changes to deal with public opinion, but real substantive changes,” Miller told CTV News.
Trudeau also said about reducing
That same week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government would reduce the number of temporary foreign workers. According to Canada’s Department of Employment and Social Development, employers were approved to hire 239,646 foreign workers last year, more than double the 108,988 hired in 2018. Employers are rapidly filling positions in new sectors including fast food and construction. For example, the number of people hired for low-wage jobs in the health care sector has increased by more than 15,000 per cent since 2018.
Trudeau government under pressure before elections
Canada is due to hold federal elections within a year. Opposition leaders have questioned Trudeau’s immigration policy. Leaders of the Conservative Party, which is leading in polls, have accused the Trudeau government of letting too many people into the country too quickly. Justin Trudeau and Marc Miller have cited Canada’s economic growth as the need for high immigration, but both have acknowledged that the number of immigrants has contributed to the crisis.