Canada might consider reducing the number of immigrants it will allow if the current economic downturn continues. That the numbers will go down is not confirmed, but the federal immigration minister, Jason Kenney, recently expressed his worry about bringing in newcomers to face a country in economic turmoil.
At present Canada’s unemployment rate stands at 7.2 percent and the trend is disturbing. In January, 2009, alone it jumped by more than half a percent, or by 129,000 in absolute numbers. The worst hit has been Ontario, where most of the immigrants prefer to go to.
Unemployment Forecast
Some analysts say, another 200,000 or even double that amount might lose their jobs during the course of this year. The government predicts that it will take at least four more years for Canada to reach the employment level of last year.
Immigration Target
It is in this background that Canada’s immigration politics should be seen. Last year, the country allowed just under 250,000 new immigrants, most of them under the Economic Class. As well, Canada also allowed about 140,000 temporary workers and close to 80,000 foreign students last year.
For this year, Kenney says the target is between 240,000 to 265,000.
With the economy in a steep decline and job losses mounting, Canadian policy makers would be concerned about frictions that could arise if there are more newcomers while locals struggle to find jobs. Besides, settlement agencies have also expressed concern about the fact that immigrants tend to suffer more from unemployment than their Canadian-born counterparts, even if they have equal or better qualifications.
But for now, Kenney says, he will stick to his target for this year. But some analysts predict the number of temporary workers, mostly farm workers, might drop this year.
