Canada’s recent announcement of their 2020-2022 Immigration Levels Plan was largely overshadowed by the growing concerns surrounding the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, as major economic and social turmoil gripped the country and many other nations.
As the world continues to grapple with the crisis, with governments closing borders and quarantining citizens, it is clear that immigration is the furthest thing on everyone’s mind.
However, despite current events, it is important to remember that since the late 1980s, Canada’s immigration policies have been largely proactive in nature. The decision to welcome high levels of immigrants is now rarely affected by economic conditions on the ground.
While one of Canada’s priorities is to welcome immigrants who can contribute to employment, the main concern is to develop immigration policies in order to strengthen the country’s economic standing, not only for the present, but for years to come. Even as new arrivals enter the country in an economic downturn, Canada sees the same newcomers becoming catalysts for economic growth and development in the future.
With their low birth rate and nine million baby boomers in the workforce reaching retirement age towards the end of the decade, Canada has relied largely on immigration as the main drive for the majority of their labor force growth.
As such, despite current events, it is reasonable for Canada to continue to admit high levels of immigrants, even during periods of economic distress. Immigrants arriving in Canada this 2020 may experience more difficulties in finding employment, but as baby boomers continue to retire and leave the workforce constrained, employers will be competing for their services, which could result in better employment outcomes.
While the announcement of an ambitious immigration levels plan at this time might not appeal to be ideal at present, the decision to eventually increase immigration levels in Canada will prove positive in the long run, providing an influx of newcomers that will contribute to Canada’s economy.
