The Daily Guardian – Exploring Canadas Escalating Cost of Living and its Impact on Reverse Immigration
Title: Rising Cost of Living and Rental Shortages Prompt Emigration Concerns Among Immigrants in Canada
Publication: The Daily Guardian
Word Count: 350
Emigration numbers have been on the rise in Canada due to the high cost of living and rental shortages, pushing many immigrants to consider leaving the country. In the first half of 2023 alone, approximately 42,000 individuals decided to make the difficult decision of leaving Canada, adding to the mounting numbers of previous years.
This trend of immigrants leaving Canada hit a two-decade high in 2019, and unfortunately, it seems to be rising once again. The increasing rate of emigration poses a challenge to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s immigration policies, which have granted permanent residency to a staggering 2.5 million people over the past eight years.
One of the major contributing factors behind this growing concern among immigrants is the high cost of housing. Many immigrants find themselves burdened by the exorbitant costs of homeownership, requiring a significant portion of their household income. As a result, some immigrants are considering exploring other countries or even returning to their home countries, exacerbating the housing shortage problem.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Trudeau’s government has implemented measures to ease the pressure on the housing market by setting a cap on new residents. Nevertheless, some immigrants feel that these methods are too little, too late. The government’s cap on new residents aims to control the rapid influx, which is partially responsible for the housing shortage issue.
Justinas Stankus, an immigrant from an Eastern European country, and Cara, a Hong Kong immigrant, are among those who are seriously contemplating moving to countries with a lower cost of living. The high cost of basics like housing is making it increasingly difficult for immigrants to afford necessities, leading to a sense of feeling trapped and the desire to leave for more affordable options elsewhere.
While Canada has been celebrated for its open-door immigration policy and welcoming attitude towards newcomers, the rising cost of living and rental shortages are posing formidable challenges to newcomers. If left unaddressed, this issue has the potential to undermine Trudeau’s immigration policies and might lead to further emigration among immigrants who feel economically marginalized and unable to sustain their livelihoods.
As the government grapples with finding a comprehensive solution to this mounting concern, the fate of immigrants and the future of Canada’s immigration policies hang in the balance.
“Pop culture advocate. Troublemaker. Friendly student. Proud problem solver.”
