The controversy regarding the wearing of the niqab during Canada’s citizenship ceremony was one of many immigration issues that shaped the recent federal election campaign won by Justin Trudeau and the liberals.
Immigration is a regular topic of discussion in Canada where one in five people are born outside the country. Immigration policy is as complex as Canada’s diverse population. The source of our immigrant community comprises more than 100 countries.
In Western Canada, the British Columbia Liberal success was evident in all three of Surrey’s largely Indo-Canadian ridings. Few issues were as important as Prime Minister Trudeau’s promise to double the number of parents and grandparents allowed into Canada each year. Family reunification is on the minds of just about on every member of the Indo-community.
Here are other issues:
Refugees
Responding to the current European migrant crisis, Trudeau committed to admit 25,000 Syrian refugees before the end of 2015. International refugee officials are already raising concerns.
A former Canadian ambassador to Syria and Lebanon, has warned that about half of those picked in refugee camps will be psychologically traumatized, with many unable to work.
The British government has issued an extra reminder to humanitarian taxpayers: Each Syrian refugee will cost about $40,000 CDN in the first year.
Family reunification
Trudeau promised to double the number of parents and grandparents who could come to Canada to 10,000 a year.
A Forum poll has found that Canadians oppose, by a 2.5-to-one margin, boosting such family reunification programs. Despite South Asians being eager to bring parents and grandparents to Canada, a majority of Canadians know that thousands of seniors will cost billions of dollars to Canada’s struggling national health care and pension systems.
Housing
Harper was the only leader to boldly respond to the housing affordability crisis in Toronto and especially Vancouver – promising to collect data on foreign ownership, significantly restricting foreign speculation on housing. Some economists believe that foreign ownership and high immigration to Canada’s large cities combine to increase the cost of urban housing.
Immigration rates
The Conservative government raised Canada’s projected immigration levels for 2015 to 285,000 a year from 265,000.
The Liberals campaigned towards maintaining Canada’s immigration policies as the world’s most welcoming. This is consistent with policies under previous liberal governments.