- Canada’s immigration minister has launched an online survey as part of an initiative to shape an immigration system for Canada’s future.
- The anonymous survey runs from March 27 to April 27, 2023, and will take about 15 minutes to complete.
- The survey is part of a larger engagement initiative that includes in-person dialogue sessions across the country and thematic workshops.
Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Sean Fraser, has launched an online survey seeking feedback from Canadians on the country’s immigration policies. The survey will be available until the end of April and will be completely anonymous. Fraser has stated that the government’s aim is to strengthen Canada’s communities by ensuring that its immigration system aligns with their needs.
An Immigration System for Canada’s Future
The survey is part of Fraser’s larger initiative called “An Immigration System for Canada’s Future,” which is a fact-finding tour aimed at consulting with experts and stakeholders on immigration policies. The tour includes in-person dialogue sessions and thematic workshops that will be held throughout the spring. The initiative seeks to provide an opportunity for a wide range of stakeholders and Canadians to share their ideas and perspectives on how Canada can build a stronger, more adaptive immigration system for the future.
About the Online Survey
The online survey runs from March 27 to April 27, 2023, and takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. It is completely anonymous, and the responses will have no bearing on any immigration applications made by the respondents. The online survey is part of the immigration minister’s fact-finding tour, and it provides a significant opportunity for a wide range of stakeholders and Canadians to share their ideas and perspectives on building a stronger, more adaptive immigration system for Canada’s future.
You might be interested in…
IRCC Launches Important Public Survey to Support Immigration System
Growing Immigration Levels
Canada has experienced a surge in immigration over the last few years, with the latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) showing that 437,500 new permanent residents arrived in 2022. This number is expected to continue to grow, with the federal government setting a target of 465,000 new permanent residents for 2023, 485,000 for 2024, and 500,000 for 2025. This totals 1.45 million new immigrants to Canada over the next three years. The online survey will help growing immigration levels.
Labour Force Growth and the Need for Skilled Workers
Immigration accounts for nearly all of Canada’s labor force growth, with over 75% of population growth coming from immigration, primarily in the economic category. The rising levels of immigration are seen as vital to resolving Canada’s labor shortages and helping employers fill positions left empty due to a lack of suitable candidates. However, critics of Canada’s high immigration levels argue that the country’s social safety net and infrastructure are being taxed. The online survey will help in taking opinions about labor force growth.
Job Vacancies and Immigration
Statistics Canada reported 883,200 job vacancies across all sectors in January 2023, representing a 3.4% increase over the previous year. Job vacancies in transportation and warehousing and healthcare and social assistance drove this increase. The shortage of workers in these sectors has led to calls for more immigrants to fill these jobs.
Concerns over High Immigration Levels
While many support the idea of high immigration levels to address Canada’s labor shortages, others are concerned that the current levels are unsustainable. In particular, People’s Party of Canada (PPC) Leader Maxime Bernier has been outspoken about his belief that the government’s ambitious immigration targets are too high. The PPC, which advocates for lower immigration levels, received 4.9% of the popular vote in the last federal election and failed to elect a single candidate to the House of Commons.
Quebec’s Stance on Immigration
In the province of Quebec, Immigration Minister Christine Fréchette has informed the federal government that the province will not be accepting significantly more immigrants in the coming years. Fréchette tweeted in French that “it is up to Quebec to set its own targets for permanent immigration,” and that the upper limit for Quebec is 50,000 new permanent residents due to its capacity to welcome, provide French-language services, and integrate them.
Canada’s History of Immigration
Canada has a long history of immigration, with more than 8.3 million people, or 23% of the population, being landed immigrants or permanent residents. The country’s immigration system has been praised for its focus on family reunification, refugee resettlement, and economic immigration. However, as the country’s immigration levels continue to rise, there is an ongoing debate about the impact of immigration on Canada’s social fabric and infrastructure. This online survey by the Government will be helpful in collecting useful opinions.
Conclusion
Immigration plays a vital role in Canada’s long-term success, and the government is seeking opinions from all interested parties on how to strengthen the country’s communities and align policies with their needs. Through the online survey and other engagement initiatives, Canadians have the opportunity to share their ideas and perspectives on building a stronger, more adaptive immigration system for Canada’s future. As immigration continues to account for most of Canada’s labor force growth, it is imperative that policies and programs are designed to align with the community’s needs.
