Escalating cost of living sparks reverse immigration trend in Canada

The aspiration of achieving success in Canada is transforming into a struggle for survival for numerous immigrants, grappling with the exorbitant cost of living and a shortage of rental options. The increasing trend of emigration suggests that newcomers are compelled to reconsider their decision to adopt Canada as their home. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has utilised immigration as a primary strategy to address Canada’s significant challenge of an aging and decelerating population, contributing to economic growth and a rapid increase in the country’s population, as reported by Statistics Canada. However, a reversal of this trend is gradually emerging. In the first half of 2023, 42,000 individuals left Canada, adding to the 93,818 departures in 2022 and 85,927 in 2021, according to official data. The rate of immigrants leaving Canada reached a two-decade high in 2019, and despite a decrease during pandemic lockdowns, recent Statistics Canada data indicates a resurgence. While this emigration is a fraction of the 263,000 arrivals during the same period, the steady rise is causing concern among observers. For a nation built on immigration, an increasing number of people leaving Canada threatens to undermine one of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s key policies, granting permanent residency to a record 2.5 million people in eight years. Emigration, currently at about 0.09 per cent of Canada’s population, is seen as a potential challenge to the country’s appeal to newcomers. Lawyers and immigration consultants emphasise the importance of creating positive early experiences to encourage people to stay. The skyrocketing housing costs are identified as the primary reason for immigrants considering leaving Canada. With inputs from Reuters