Immigration Minister Marc Miller says he will closely examine the influx of international students and temporary residents entering Canada amid growing concerns over the connection between housing affordability and immigration dynamics.
In recent interviews, Miller acknowledged the multifaceted relationship between housing and immigration, emphasizing that these matters were deliberated upon within the cabinet when establishing immigration targets for Canada.
“Housing remains a pressing concern, especially in the post-COVID landscape, with the rise in interest rates, supply constraints, and affordability issues,” said Miller.
He highlighted that immigrants were not responsible for the interest rate hikes, yet the sheer volume of newcomers warranted a closer examination.
Canada grapples with significant challenges related to housing affordability, with the Conservative opposition linking government deficits to escalating interest rates.
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Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre outlined his approach of trimming wasteful spending to balance the budget, ultimately aiming for more favorable interest rates.
Furthermore, he proposed linking infrastructure funding to the number of homes allowed for construction in cities.
Surveys indicate a shift in Canadian sentiment regarding immigration’s impact on housing, with a substantial majority believing that increased immigration contributes to the housing affordability crisis and strains the healthcare system.
In response, the Liberal government has implemented various measures to enhance housing affordability. This includes forging agreements with municipalities to encourage housing-friendly zoning and regulatory changes in exchange for federal support. Additionally, Miller introduced fresh regulations governing foreign students in December.
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A recent report by The Canadian Press disclosed that senior civil servants had cautioned the government about immigration’s effect on housing affordability, as well as on essential services such as healthcare.
In November, the government announced it would maintain a target of 500,000 new permanent residents in 2026 after multiple increases in annual immigration goals. Miller expressed his intention to focus on temporary residents in the coming months, recognizing the need to assess and potentially limit the influx of non-permanent residents.
He proposed the idea of reforming postgraduate work permits or implementing measures to control the volume of temporary residents, acknowledging the potential economic implications of such actions.
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Miller defended the government’s overall immigration strategy, stressing its necessity in sustaining a growing labour force as Canada’s population ages. He also highlighted that issues involving international students on temporary visas fell under provincial jurisdiction.
Jovial Orlachi Osundu, president of the international students association at Université de Moncton, expressed his view that blaming international students for the housing crisis was unjust and warned of the discouraging effect on prospective students considering Canada for their studies.
Miller emphasized the federal government’s role in intervening within a market where certain parties prioritize short-term profits over the long-term stability of the housing market. He called for provinces to be receptive to change and expressed readiness to collaborate with them in addressing the issue, emphasizing that the federal government was willing to take action if necessary.