COVID-19 fallout: Canada hints at reduction of immigration levels

Posted by admin Africa & World Politics, Canadian Politics, Headlines, NNP News Tuesday, May 12th, 2020

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau

(NNP) As fallout of COVID-19 takes it tool on countries around the world, for Canada, among other things, it may mean the reduction of immigrant intake into the country. For the last few decades, Canada has opened its doors to millions of immigrants from around the world to the tune of 300,000 plus each year with the target for 2020 and 2021 set for 341,000 and 351,000 respectively.

However, all these may change as the oil-rich North American country grapples with unusual unemployment numbers of 13% as a direct result of the impact of COVID-19. The federal immigration minister, Marco Mendocini, gave a clue as to the Trudeau government’s disposition while testifying before the House of Commons Committee on Human Resources.

Mendicino noted government will be “taking a look at our levels and what is our operational capacity.” He further stated that the decision “is of course going to be driven by the context. As we all know, we are in the midst of a pandemic.” Canada which puts annual immigration numbers at 1% of its population, may now be forced to review those figures downward to forestall a saturation of the job market that routinely puts highly qualified immigrants in precarious work even before the pandemic.

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