RISING COSTS, RENTAL SHORTAGES LEAD TO IMMIGRATION DROP IN CANADA
Canada has long been a beacon for immigrants seeking new opportunities, but a recent trend of rising emigration numbers is hinting that newcomers are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet in their adopted home.
According to official data, in the first six months of 2023, some 42,000 individuals departed Canada, adding to 93,818 people who left in 2022 and 85,927 exits in 2021. This represents a reversal of the trend that has seen Canada’s population grow at its fastest in more than six decades.
The high cost of living and rental shortages are cited as the primary reasons for immigrants considering leaving Canada. Cara, a 25-year-old refugee from Hong Kong, pays 30% of her monthly salary for a single-room basement apartment in Toronto, while working three part-time jobs. She feels trapped by the high costs and is considering leaving for a new country.
Similarly, Justinas Stankus, who came to Canada from Lithuania in 2019 to pursue a doctorate in political science, is contemplating relocating to Southeast Asia where the cost of living is lower and where he could still pursue his research.
Trudeau’s government has taken steps to ease pressure on the housing market by capping its target for new residents at a half million per year from 2025 onwards, but for some, it may be too little too late.
The rising trend of people leaving Canada risks undermining one of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government’s signature policies, which granted permanent residency to a record 2.5 million people in just eight years.
Immigration advocates are concerned that the high costs and housing shortages may paint a negative picture of Canada as a desirable destination for newcomers. There is a real importance in creating positive experiences in those early years so that people decide to stay, said Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.
While the numbers of people leaving Canada are relatively small compared to the total population, the trend is worrisome for immigration consultants and experts, who warn that a pick-up could cast a shroud over Canada’s appeal as one of the favoured destinations for newcomers.
With more immigrants considering options in other countries, the rising costs and housing shortages in Canada are likely to have a long-term impact on its appeal as a desirable destination for newcomers. As individuals like Cara and Justinas contemplate leaving for greener pastures, Canada may face challenges in retaining its immigrant population.