December 4th, 2024 at 04:21 am

Reasons Behind the Early Departure of New Skilled Workers from Canada

For decades, Canada has been renowned as a friendly country for all types of immigrants and refugees, providing them with the highest standard of living, stability, and success. It also plays an important role in strengthening Canada’s economy and reputation as a welcoming, inclusive country.

However, in recent years, skilled immigrants, including permanent residents, have begun to consider leaving Canada after only a short time after arrival; this pattern is known as “onward migration”. This problem has an impact on both the Canadian economy and the country’s capacity to attract fresh qualified workers in the future.

Meanwhile, Canada intends to cut immigration targets in order to improve housing rights and work opportunities for both new immigrants and natives. However, until it addresses the core problem of why immigrants are leaving, it will confront significant unemployment and lost possibilities in the long run.

Why will new skilled workers leave Canada soon?

Changes in Canada’s immigration policy

Between 2023 and 2024, Canada’s population increased at its quickest rate in history, adding more than one million people in a single year. This expansion is being driven by a large influx of immigrants, international students, and temporary workers.

However, concerns about rising housing costs, healthcare programs, and inadequate infrastructure have forced the federal government to reassess its immigration strategy. Furthermore, this decline is thought to be the first in ten years.

The primary reduction aim is to attain 500,000 by 2024 and 395,000 by 2025. Immigration will be reduced by 20 percent. This is a significant divergence from previous initiatives to expand immigration to Canada to address labour and human resource needs. While developing future immigration policies, Canada has forgotten a critical challenge: retaining Canadians with existing skills. According to studies, many of these entrants, particularly those who entered Canada under economic immigration programs, left within a few years.

Why are competent immigrants leaving?

Immigrants who leave Canada do not face the greatest challenges. They are highly educated professionals who speak many languages and were chosen for their capacity to fill labor shortages in vital occupations. In the following, we’ll cover the four primary reasons why they left Canada:

1. Housing Costs and High Cost of Living

Housing in Canada is one of the primary reasons for skilled immigrants to leave the country. Toronto and Vancouver are two cities with high housing prices, making it impossible for newcomers to purchase a home or save money.

Many immigrants come to Canada expecting to enjoy a stable life, but many find it difficult to develop wealth, afford homes, and attain financial security, so they decide to go to nations that offer them the future they seek.

2. Underemployment and Career Challenges

Most skilled workers take time to get credential recognition and licensing requirements; yet, they have advanced degrees and years of professional experience. And a preference for “Canadian work experience” frequently inhibits them from getting jobs in their specialties.

Instead, skilled professionals may end up working in low-wage or unrelated occupations, unable to fully utilize their abilities. This unfair employment forces skilled persons to seek better opportunities to use their skills elsewhere.

3. Challenges with Healthcare and Social Services.

Canada’s healthcare system is notorious for excessive wait periods, which irritate immigrants. For people from nations with better healthcare, seeking timely care in Canada can be frustrating and often overwhelming.

4. Global Competition for Skills

The United States, Australia, and Germany are fighting for qualified people because they offer higher compensation. Provide better support to incoming immigrants and expedite the immigration process. On the other side, Canada’s cost of living and labour prices are greater, making it less appealing to talent with foreign options.

The impact of losing skilled immigrants

Immigrants leaving the country not only cause personal loss for these individuals, but also have an impact on the Canadian economy, as they are considered a crucial part of numerous businesses such as healthcare, education, construction, and technology.

• Healthcare: Immigrants account up a sizable proportion of Canada’s healthcare workforce, including doctors, nurses, and other professionals. Losing any number of them might result in a severe labour shortage in Canada.
• Education and childcare: Many current immigrants work in these professions, which already have worker shortages. Their absence puts pressure on these critical services.
• Construction: Due to Canada’s aging population and expanding needs, immigrant labor is critical to the construction sector; their absence will result in project delays and cost overruns.

The economic benefit of immigration extends far beyond the labor deficit. Immigrants drive creativity, start businesses, and add to Canada’s tax base. Losing those immigrants will have a short-term impact on the Canadian economy, as well as long-term economic gains.

Public Concerns Over Immigration

Historically, Canada has been recognized to provide significant support to immigrants. However, recent research indicates that Canadians are becoming increasingly concerned. Nowadays, Canadians believe that the country is absorbing a large number of immigrants, which has a variety of consequences for them, including overloaded healthcare, housing problems, and increased competition for jobs.

Canadian worries reached the Canadian government, prompting the government to reconsider the number of immigrants entering Canada, resulting in a reduction in the number of immigrants in the country, which serves as a decent short-term solution. However, this strategy has not addressed the issue of losing skilled personnel.

What can Canada do to retain its immigrants?

The following are the five important strategies that Canada can utilize to keep immigrants:

1. Affordable housing

Provincial and territorial governments should collaborate to boost the availability of affordable housing. Policies aimed at preventing foreclosures and encouraging the creation of affordable housing can assist supply housing for immigrants.

2. Make qualifications easier to recognize.

The procedure of recognizing foreign credentials and degrees should be swift and simple. This will allow competent immigrants to find work in their fields faster, minimizing hidden unemployment and discouragement.

3. Improving Public Services

Canada must spend on healthcare, education, and childcare to fulfill the demands of its increasing population. Improving access to these services will improve the quality of life for both immigrants and citizens.

4. Strengthen settlement programs.

Programs that assist immigrants in developing networks, training, and preparing for permanent employment can make a significant impact on their experience. Supporting immigrants after the first round is crucial for retention.

5. Encourage regional migration.

Housing prices in urban and rural areas are inexpensive, but labour is high. Encouraging immigrants to relocate to these places through specific programs such as the Atlantic Migration Program can help relieve pressure on large cities while also benefiting local economies.

Final Thoughts

Canada is reaching a tipping point. Lowering immigration targets may ease short-term concerns, but it does not address the underlying issues that push skilled immigrants away. Losing these smart individuals not only harms the economy but also undermines Canada’s global standing as a top talent destination.

To safeguard its future, Canada must do more than just attract qualified workers; it must also provide incentives for them to stay. Canada can foster immigrant success by addressing housing affordability, employment hurdles, and service availability. Retaining a talented workforce is essential for creating a stronger, more inclusive, and successful nation for all.

ALSO, READ

• FIRSTLY, CANADA WORK VISA 2023: NO LMIA || VISA & ACCOMMODATION PROVIDED
• SECONDLY, BECOME A TEACHER IN CANADA | PERMANENT RESIDENCY | MOVE TO CANADA
• THIRDLY, LIST OF COUNTRIES WHERE UAE EXPATS CAN GET AN E-VISA
• THEN, CANADA OFFERS NEW INVESTMENT PROSPECTS IN IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT SERVICES
• ALSO, CHECK THE NEWLY UNVEILED CANADA’S ‘WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED’ PASSPORT
• ADDITIONALLY, CANADA OFFERS NEW INVESTMENT PROSPECTS IN IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT SERVICES
• MORE SO, CHECK THE NEWLY UNVEILED CANADA’S ‘WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED’ PASSPORT
• AFTERWARDS, PLASTIC FACTORY JOBS IN UK WITH SALARY BETWEEN £15 – £20 PER HOUR
• MOST IMPORTANTLY, FACTORY JOBS IN BELGIUM FOR FOREIGN 2023/24 ($18 – $23 PER HOUR)
• FINALLY, THE BEST AND WORST COUNTRIES FOR SCHENGEN VISAS FOR TRAVELLERS REVEAL