Last Updated On 8 January 2025, 9:39 AM EST (Toronto Time)
Canada has long been seen as a beacon of hope and opportunity for millions of immigrants around the world.
However, a recent poll commissioned by CBC News has revealed that the reality for many newcomers is far from ideal.
The survey uncovered startling insights, including that over 80% of immigrants feel the Canadian government is accepting too many people without adequate planning for housing, infrastructure, or employment opportunities.
Furthermore, nearly 40% (2 in 5) of new immigrants are contemplating leaving Canada for better opportunities elsewhere.
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The poll, conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights in November, surveyed 1,507 newcomers about their experiences in Canada.
A significant finding was that four in five participants believed the Canadian government has been accepting too many permanent residents and international students without sufficient planning for basic necessities like housing and job opportunities.
Shabnoor Abdullateef, a physician who immigrated from Iran in 2022, echoed this sentiment. “There was absolutely no thinking behind this,” she said.
Abdullateef, who completed a healthcare administration management program in Ontario, expressed frustration with the lack of housing and healthcare planning for new arrivals.
“While I feel safer in Canada than in Iran, there’s a clear lack of foresight in managing international students and immigrants.”
A recent poll by Leger for the Association for Canadian Studies found that 65% of Canadians also believe the government is not adequately planning for immigration levels.
Since 2014, the country has welcomed more than 5 million newcomers. In 2024 alone, the country added 662,000 permanent and temporary residents in the first nine months—accounting for nearly 97% of the population growth during this period.
In comparison, international migration accounted for only 71% of population growth in 2015.
Alfred Lam, the executive director of the Centre for Immigrant and Community Services, cautioned against misinterpreting these numbers.
“The housing crisis existed even when borders were closed during the pandemic,” Lam said.
He emphasized that newcomers are not the sole cause of housing and employment challenges.
Despite these challenges, most newcomers remain optimistic about life in Canada.
According to the survey, 79% of respondents are satisfied with their overall quality of life, and three-quarters are happy with access to education and work-life balance.
One of the most significant hurdles newcomers face is finding employment in their field.
According to the survey, 14% of working newcomers were unemployed, which is double the national average in November 2024.
Moreover, 44% of newcomers in the workforce reported being either unemployed or working outside their area of expertise.
A lack of recognition for foreign credentials and work experience is a common issue.
One in four respondents said their previous work experience was “not acknowledged,” while one-sixth reported their academic qualifications were “not recognized.”
Syed Hussan, the executive director of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, called this “a massive devaluation of international work experience.”
He criticized the lack of training and reskilling programs for newcomers.
Abdullateef, a former doctor in Tehran, now faces this reality. She spent $33,000 on a postgraduate certificate in Canada but remains unable to practice medicine.
“This mismatch between expertise and opportunities is frustrating,” she said, noting that Canada’s policies on utilizing immigrants’ talents are outdated.
The survey also highlighted that racialized newcomers experience higher levels of discrimination than their white counterparts.
One in nine newcomers reported facing ethnic discrimination during their job search. South Asians, in particular, reported the highest rate of racism at 66%.
Jatin Shory, an immigration lawyer based in Calgary, noted that South Asians often become scapegoats for anti-immigrant sentiment due to their large numbers.
“If there were another larger group, they would likely face similar challenges,” he said.
The financial challenges faced by newcomers are significant. One in four newcomers reported household incomes below $30,000.
The unemployment rate for racialized newcomers remains disproportionately high, exacerbating economic struggles.
Akash Shah, a business development manager from India, highlighted these challenges.
Although he initially settled in Regina, Saskatchewan, he moved to Calgary for better job opportunities and social connections.
“Social meetups in Calgary were 10 times what I found in Regina,” Shah said.
According to Lam, Canada’s failure to capitalize on the skills and talents of its immigrant population represents a missed opportunity.
University-educated immigrants are three times more likely to be underemployed compared to Canadian-born workers, according to a C.D. Howe Institute study.
“We chronically underemploy highly skilled individuals,” Lam said. Abdullateef’s story further illustrates this.
“Two million Ontarians don’t have family doctors, yet I’m unable to work as a physician here,” she lamented.
While most immigrants remain grateful for the safety and opportunities the Great White North provides, dissatisfaction is growing.
Nearly 42% of survey respondents said they would consider leaving Canada if given the chance.
This sentiment is particularly strong among skilled professionals who face barriers to employment in their fields.
Abdullateef is now exploring opportunities in the U.S. and Germany, where transitioning to her profession as a physician is easier.
“It’s heartbreaking,” she said. “I chose Canada to build my future, but I may have to move elsewhere.”
The Canadian immigration system, while offering hope and opportunity to millions, is fraught with challenges that threaten the well-being of newcomers.
Issues such as underemployment, lack of housing, and discrimination continue to hinder the integration of immigrants.
As 2 in 5 newcomers consider leaving Canada, the government must urgently address these systemic issues to ensure that the country remains a destination of choice for talented individuals worldwide.
By creating policies that recognize foreign credentials, investing in reskilling programs, and addressing housing shortages, the country can fully utilize the potential of its immigrant population and build a stronger, more inclusive society.
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