The immigration proposal put forth by Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Leader, has been scrutinized by Immigration Minister Marc Miller, who has criticized it as “mysterious.” The proposal seeks to link future immigration numbers with the construction of new homes in Canada and has sparked discussions around the surge of newcomers adding to population growth and putting pressure on the housing sector.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a strategic review six months ago, underscoring the need to have the capacity to accommodate people arriving in the country. The review, detailed in a report from Oct. 31, is dedicated to incorporating plans for housing, health care, and other vital services into the strategy for setting immigration levels in Canada. This is meant to be achieved through close cooperation with provincial, territorial, and municipal authorities.
On Jan. 12, a press conference was held in Winnipeg where Mr. Poilievre stressed the need to build homes alongside inviting newcomers, as the number of homes being built is significantly low relative to the growing population. Meanwhile, Mr. Miller expressed that 50 percent of permanent residents are already in the country and presumably have housing. He emphasized the importance of a detailed and practical plan to address housing availability and affordability, which he believes the Conservatives lack.
Recently released documents from 2022 have revealed that a significant rise in immigration could impact the availability of housing and services. However, Mr. Miller and former immigration minister Sean Fraser have defended the increase in immigration quotas, stating that it is necessary to prevent economic contraction following the COVID-19 pandemic.