Latest news with #StatisticsCanada
Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Canada's population growth slows as immigration rules tighten
Live Events Cut international student permits by 35% starting September 2024 Set further 10% decrease in student permits for 2025 Require language tests for post-graduation work permits (CLB 7 for university grads, CLB 5 for college grads) Limit post-graduation work permits to in-demand fields only End work-permit eligibility for spouses of bachelor's and college students — keep it only for spouses of master's, PhD students, and select high-skilled workers Cap number of temporary foreign workers in low-wage jobs and reduce their maximum stays Implement a 'Strong Borders Act' tightening asylum rules — stricter eligibility, faster removals, stronger border controls Aim to reduce temporary residents to 5% of the population by 2026, with declining target numbers for 2025–2027 Align permanent resident targets to 395,000 in 2025, then gradually reduce Increase intelligence-sharing and cooperation with U.S. border enforcement Address public concern over rapid post-pandemic population growth and pressure on housing and public services Canada's population barely grew in the first quarter of this year as tighter immigration policies slowed the number of new arrivals, Statistics Canada data showed. The country added just 20,107 people, a near-zero percentage increase, compared with an average quarterly rise of 0.3% over the past the pandemic period, this was Canada's weakest quarterly growth rate since comparable records began in 1946. Population increases had previously been fuelled by a surge in temporary residents — especially foreign students — following the Minister Mark Carney, who has promised to cut immigration to 'sustainable levels,' welcomed the data. His predecessor, Justin Trudeau, began curbing new arrivals last year after rapid growth strained the country's housing, healthcare, and other public residents fell to about 3 million, or 7.1% of the population, down from a peak of 7.4% last year. Foreign students saw the biggest drop, with Ontario and British Columbia recording their steepest quarterly population declines since 1951.(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)At the same time, asylum claims continued to rise for the 13th consecutive quarter, reaching a record 470,029 people. Carney's government introduced a bill to tighten asylum rules and is already restricting the number of international students and foreign workers. Legislators will debate the new law on immigration plan seeks to hold overall population growth flat before returning to more typical rates. Even with these measures, migration accounted for all net growth last quarter as deaths outnumbered births by 5, government must now balance its goals. 'We want to attract the best talent in the world to help build our economy,' Carney said after winning his April election. But as public support for immigration declines, officials face increasing pressure to ensure future arrivals match the country's capacity and economic needs. Canada has introduced a series of tightened immigration measures in 2024–2025. These include caps on international student and temporary worker permits, tougher spouse‑permit rules, language requirements, and new asylum restrictions under the 'Strong Borders Act.' The goal: reduce temporary residents to 5% of the population, ease pressure on housing and services, and preserve system integrity.
CBC
3 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
As the U.S. trade war drags, calls grow for Canada to cautiously improve ties with China
As Prime Minister Mark Carney's government works to reshape its economic policies amid an unpredictable administration south of the border, Canadian businesses that trade with China say Ottawa needs to find ways to expand exports there — and fast. While the Canada-China relationship has been stymied in recent years, there are signals of relations improving. Following the first ministers' meeting in Saskatoon earlier this month, Carney said Canada and China were meeting at the ministerial level to address a tit-for-tat trade war between the two countries that saw Canada place 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles and China retaliate with similar levies on canola meal and seed, pork and seafood. Carney called negotiations with China "a top priority for us," as the federal government seeks to have the counter-tariffs on the agricultural products removed, and the two countries recently agreed to regularize communications. The potential thaw comes as U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed shifting tariffs on much of the world, including 50 per cent on Canadian steel and aluminum imports, and 25 per cent on many cars and auto parts. That's left businesses and analysts calling for Ottawa to fortify Canada's economy, including by overcoming political and infrastructure challenges to increase trade with China. In fact, there are signs it's already happening, for various reasons. According to Statistics Canada, as Canadian exports to the U.S. were down 15.7 per cent in April, exports to countries other than the U.S. increased 2.9 per cent that same month, led by exports to China, the U.K., Algeria and Brazil. Notably, oil exports to China have risen since the Trans Mountain Pipeline started operating in May 2024. In the last few months, it has emerged as the top customer for Canadian crude. Potential for growth According to the Conference Board of Canada, Canada's trade with the world's second-largest economy is currently hampered by political tensions that, if overcome, will continue to be "a key export market." "There's clearly demand. And Chinese demand is willing to step in and fill that gap that's been left by the closing of access to American markets," said Conference Board senior economist Liam Daly. Even though China is Canada's second-biggest trading partner, there's room for growth; Canada exported $30 billion worth of products to China in 2024 — a fraction of the whopping $500 billion shipped to the U.S., said Daly. Canada is also running an increasing trade deficit with China — $57 billion in 2024. If and when the tariffs and counter-tariffs are removed, the growth in exports could come in the form of raw goods, like timber, wheat, lentils and energy, according to Josipa Petrunic, president and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC), an industry organization that is staunch advocate of Canada removing Canada's EV tariffs on China. "That's the low-hanging fruit," she said, since there are long-standing concerns over intellectual property infringement. "There's not a lot of IP in a shrimp, right?" WATCH | U.S., China agree to 90-day tariff pause. What it means for some Canadian businesses: What the U.S.-China tariff pause means for some Canadian business owners | Hanomansing Tonight 1 month ago Duration 5:09 Shipping to China Some businesses are also calling for improved relations with China, hoping for a more "predictable and stable" environment, says Bijan Ahmadi, executive director of the Canada China Business Council, a non-profit that acts as a voice for Canadian businesses in China. "China represents significant opportunities for Canadian companies," he said. That's true for Laneway Distillers, a small gin and vodka company based in Toronto, which imports its custom bottles from China and started exporting its alcohol to sell on Chinese e-commerce platforms in 2023. "We find doing business in China easier than doing business here in Ontario," said co-founder and CEO Jessica Chester. "I'm always blown away by the efficiency of their systems." On the other hand, Chester says she finds navigating Ontario's red tape "very complex," while interprovincial trade barriers in Canada prevent her from selling to other provinces. While Chester is hoping the provinces will work to quickly lift those barriers, which both Ottawa and the premiers have vowed to do, she is buoyed by what appears to be Canada's willingness to bolster trade relations with China, despite difficulties she's encountered. "The infrastructure has been neglected for too long," she said, noting that her current shipment of gin to China has been delayed by a month, stuck on a rail line somewhere between Toronto and Vancouver. "The reality is I run out of stock," she said. "I've spent a huge amount of time building up my clientele, my brand, and to run out of stock on an online store is devastating." Subsidization and consumption China is also known to artificially subsidize its industries, like steel, which creates unfair competition. Tariffs are theoretically supposed to address this, but some businesses say it simply reroutes shipments through other countries. And despite China being a massive market, some analysts say the country is suffering from low consumption and growth. "How much they can absorb is a bit of an issue," said Jan Ian Chong, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore. "Chinese consumers aren't buying very much. So, in theory, they look like an attractive market, but in practice, that could be a little complicated." Political hurdles There are also political tensions, partly due to Canada's allyship with the U.S. Given the three-year imprisonment of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig — widely considered a retaliatory move after the 2018 arrest of Chinese Huawei executive Meng Wangzhou in Vancouver at Washington's request — Petrunic says any talks with China need to have this history baked in. "That's the elephant in the room," she said. "We're concerned Canadians are taken as prisoners. That needs to be front and centre in any dialogue with China." WATCH | Ottawa and Washington working toward trade and security deal: Ottawa, Washington exchange draft on potential trade deal: sources 8 days ago Duration 2:47 Growing the relationship also means Canada needs to protect itself in other ways, said Nicolas Lamp, an associate professor in the faculty of law at Queen's University in Kingston, Ont. "We want to make sure we don't open ourselves up to espionage or blackmail or sabotage," he said. Expanding Canada's trade with China also risks drawing the ire of Trump, considering his rhetoric against the country, and how he's stacked his cabinet with China critics and recently raised tariffs as high as 145 per cent on Chinese imports. (Though most are currently at 30 per cent, following talks last month behind the two sides.) Because Canada likely can't entirely ignore its largest trading partner as a result of its deep economic ties and geographic proximity, there's a fine line to walk. "I think there's a path forward … to increase trade with China, while not falling afoul of what is an increasingly punitive administration in Washington," said Daly, with the Conference Board of Canada.
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Business Standard
3 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Canada not just a passport stop: 95% Indian migrants stay post-citizenship
Do Indians treat Canada as a mere stepping stone to secure a powerful passport before leaving for better opportunities elsewhere? A new report by Statistics Canada suggests otherwise. The study, titled An Analysis of Immigrants' 'Active Presence' in Canada, tracked the long-term presence of immigrants based on their tax filing behaviour—a key indicator that they are still residing in or closely tied to Canada. What counts as active presence? 'Active presence' refers to immigrants who continue to file income taxes in Canada. While not a definitive proof of residency, it is widely used as a practical measure of engagement in the country's economy and social systems. According to the data, 63.8% of Indian immigrants become Canadian citizens within ten years of arriving. Of those, 94.6% continued to file taxes after naturalisation—an indicator of strong ongoing ties. By contrast, only 65% of Indian immigrants who did not take up citizenship remained active, meaning 35% either left the country or stopped participating in the formal economy. Even three years after gaining citizenship, 93% of Indian immigrants were still filing taxes. That's only a slight drop from the 97.1% seen in the three years before naturalisation. Citizenship boosts long-term presence: Among immigrants aged 25–54 who arrived between 2008 and 2012, 93% of those who became citizens were still actively present ten years later, compared to 67% of those who didn't. Retention improving over time: For those who arrived between 2003 and 2007, 91% of citizens remained active, while only 58% of non-citizens did—a wider gap than in newer cohorts. Origin matters: Immigrants from the Philippines showed a 97% active presence rate, higher than those from developed countries like the US and France, where retention hovered around 87%. Education and mobility affect retention: Highly educated immigrants who didn't pursue citizenship were more likely to leave, reflecting greater international mobility. Citizenship matters: The data directly challenges the notion of 'Canadians of convenience,' often used to question immigrants' loyalty. Why some stay, and others don't The Statistics Canada study also looked into factors shaping whether immigrants remained in Canada after gaining citizenship. Country of origin: Immigrants from countries like Pakistan and Colombia also had high retention, while Americans, Britons and the French were more likely to leave. Education: Those with graduate degrees were more likely to leave if they didn't obtain citizenship. The global demand for high-skilled workers plays a role here. Economic class: Skilled immigrants selected for their abilities were more likely to leave if they did not commit to Canadian citizenship. Time taken to naturalise: The longer an immigrant waited to become a citizen, the more likely they were to leave post-citizenship, suggesting weaker ties to Canada at the outset. Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, said, 'Highly skilled immigrants have global options. If Canada can't offer a better life—affordable housing, career growth—they'll take their talents elsewhere.' Breaking the 'Canadian of convenience' myth The term 'Canadian of convenience' has often been used in political debate to describe immigrants who obtain citizenship for benefits and then leave. The Statistics Canada report directly addresses that concern: Citizenship isn't hollow: 93% of naturalised immigrants were still filing taxes ten years later, showing active engagement with the country. Inactive immigrants less likely to be citizens: Among those without any tax filing (considered inactive), only 28% were citizens. For example, among inactive Iranian immigrants, 50% held citizenship, compared to just 14% of inactive Americans. Why fewer people may be choosing citizenship Despite the positive retention figures, the report notes a slowdown in citizenship uptake. Some immigrants may delay or skip citizenship due to better global mobility or dissatisfaction with economic conditions in Canada. Rising housing costs, stagnant wages, and limited job opportunities may be pushing some to consider alternatives. Bernhard warned, 'If Canada can't provide a better future, immigrants will leave.' Andrew Griffith, a former director general in Canada's immigration department, said citizenship policies currently 'strike a good balance,' but added they may need updating to keep pace with changing realities.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Canada's population growth slows as immigration rules tighten
Canada's population barely grew in the first quarter of this year as tighter immigration policies slowed the number of new arrivals, Statistics Canada data showed. The country added just 20,107 people, a near-zero percentage increase, compared with an average quarterly rise of 0.3% over the past decade. Excluding the pandemic period, this was Canada's weakest quarterly growth rate since comparable records began in 1946. Population increases had previously been fuelled by a surge in temporary residents — especially foreign students — following the pandemic. Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has promised to cut immigration to 'sustainable levels,' welcomed the data. His predecessor, Justin Trudeau, began curbing new arrivals last year after rapid growth strained the country's housing, healthcare, and other public services. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 23.7% Returns in last 5 years with Shriram Life's ULIP Shriram Life Insurance Undo Temporary residents fell to about 3 million, or 7.1% of the population, down from a peak of 7.4% last year. Foreign students saw the biggest drop, with Ontario and British Columbia recording their steepest quarterly population declines since 1951. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) At the same time, asylum claims continued to rise for the 13th consecutive quarter, reaching a record 470,029 people. Carney's government introduced a bill to tighten asylum rules and is already restricting the number of international students and foreign workers. Legislators will debate the new law on Wednesday. Live Events The immigration plan seeks to hold overall population growth flat before returning to more typical rates. Even with these measures, migration accounted for all net growth last quarter as deaths outnumbered births by 5,600. The government must now balance its goals. 'We want to attract the best talent in the world to help build our economy,' Carney said after winning his April election. But as public support for immigration declines, officials face increasing pressure to ensure future arrivals match the country's capacity and economic needs. Inside Canada's plans to curb immigration Canada has introduced a series of tightened immigration measures in 2024–2025. These include caps on international student and temporary worker permits, tougher spouse‑permit rules, language requirements, and new asylum restrictions under the 'Strong Borders Act.' The goal: reduce temporary residents to 5% of the population, ease pressure on housing and services, and preserve system integrity. What Canada wants Cut international student permits by 35% starting September 2024 Set further 10% decrease in student permits for 2025 Require language tests for post-graduation work permits (CLB 7 for university grads, CLB 5 for college grads) Limit post-graduation work permits to in-demand fields only End work-permit eligibility for spouses of bachelor's and college students — keep it only for spouses of master's, PhD students, and select high-skilled workers Cap number of temporary foreign workers in low-wage jobs and reduce their maximum stays Implement a 'Strong Borders Act' tightening asylum rules — stricter eligibility, faster removals, stronger border controls Aim to reduce temporary residents to 5% of the population by 2026, with declining target numbers for 2025–2027 Align permanent resident targets to 395,000 in 2025, then gradually reduce Increase intelligence-sharing and cooperation with U.S. border enforcement Address public concern over rapid post-pandemic population growth and pressure on housing and public services
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Manitoba sees growth from interprovincial migration for 1st time since 2004
More people moved to Manitoba from other parts of Canada than left during the first quarter of 2025 — a feat the province hasn't accomplished in a quarter since 2004. New data from Statistics Canada says the province benefited from interprovincial migration during the first three months of the year, gaining 106 more people from other provinces and territories than it lost to other jurisdictions. During that period, 4,352 people moved to Manitoba from elsewhere in Canada, while 4,246 people moved away. However, Manitoba's total population rose at its lowest quarterly rate since 2020, as a result of federal policies to curb immigration levels. The province had an estimated population of nearly 1.51 million as of April 1, according to Statistics Canada. Manitoba historically loses more people to interprovincial migration than it gains, but the population still consistently grows on an annual basis, mainly through immigration from other countries. There was a net loss of between 3,500 to 7,000 people annually for the first half of the 2010s, but that number began to grow in later years, aside from a pandemic blip that curtailed travel around the world. It was more than two years ago, in 2022-23, when Manitoba saw a net loss of more than 9,000 people — the highest deficit in decades. In 2024-25, the province lost 2,481 people to interprovincial migration, according to demographic estimates from the Manitoba government. The NDP government took partial credit for Manitoba's interprovincial net gain from the first three months of 2025. Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino said the government has been focused on attracting skilled workers and reducing trade barriers. Marcelino said in a news release that Manitoba is a "welcoming province," attracting people because "our economy is strong and there are opportunities to build a good life." Last year, Premier Wab Kinew suggested his government was open to the possibility of tax credits or incentivizing economic development to counteract the province's long-term interprovincial exodus. Kinew said the government can "move the needle" by growing the economy, creating more jobs, maintaining a low cost of living and extolling the province's draws, such as its arts scene. Lower immigration slows growth While Manitoba saw an increase in migrants from other Canadian jurisdictions in early 2025, the province's population increased by 0.2 per cent — its lowest quarterly rate since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic depressed population growth. Manitoba saw a net gain of 2,749 migrants from other countries, which is down from the increase of nearly 4,200 reported in the last quarter of 2024. The lower immigration numbers reflect the federal government's decision in 2024 to clamp down on arrivals from other countries. Canada's population rose by 20,107 people from Jan. 1 to April 1, the smallest increase since the third quarter of 2020 and an increase so small that it amounted to 0.0 per cent growth, Statistics Canada said. Immigration still accounted for all of the national population growth, as there were 5,628 more deaths than births in Canada.
