There are only two ways that any country can increase its population – one by a positive birthrate or secondly by immigration.
Demographic studies that show that by 2030 Canada’s birthrate will have declined to such a point that deaths will outpace the number of births. That means our sole growth in Canadian population will be from immigration. Levels of immigration per year have been consistently between 250,000 to 260,000 individuals obtaining permanent residents every year through one of the three main avenues, economic, family or refugee class. The present Minister of Immigration has set the target at 300,000 permanent residents per year
The government’s policy is focused now primarily on the 20 to 29-year-old demographic. Such a policy for a country like Canada is prudent. The previous Conservative government placed an emphasis on youth, English or French capabilities, having Canadian educational credentials and Canadian work experience.
What better way to qualify potential permanent residents than by opening the doors wide to international youth to have them first study in Canada and then assure them of at least a three year work permit to work. Once a student enters Canada it is obvious that they must have achieved a competent level of English or French assuring them of a Canadian credential which will be recognized by Canadian employers. To assist in their work experience the government grants a three-year work permit upon the successful completion of the two or more year degree. Employers in Canada now are assured of a freshly-trained labour force.
Gone are the old backlog days whereby applicants made application for residency, but after many many years found that their qualifications and work experience were not being recognized after entry.
As a result of this policy change, the foreign student population has exploded in Canada. From this favoured demographic our population will grow providing a constant source of permanent residents for the future.
Here are the historical statistics over ten years to show how the student population has mushroomed:
- BY DESTINATION
2005/2006 2014/2015
Canada 234,000 435,000
British Columbia 69,000 129,000
2. BY TOP SOURCE COUNTRIES
2005 2014
China 48,000 129,000
India 9,000 52,000
Korea 40,000 28,000
France 11,000 25,000
Saudi Arabia 2,000 18,000
USA 17,000 16,000
Brazil 2,000 15,000
Japan 14,000 11,000
With the Brexit vote now over and the US immigration policy uncertain, European youth who previously looked to the UK for an English-speaking milieu will also focus their sights on Canada. In this regard, Britain’s economic loss will become Canada’s immigration gain.
