Canada’s Parents And Grandparents Program Welcomes Thousands Of Newcomers

The latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveal that after a strong October, the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) welcomed roughly a third fewer arrivals in November, dipping 32 per cent that month.

In November, the PGP welcomed only 1,720 new permanent residents to Canada, down from 2,530 in October, as overall monthly immigration to the country also softened by 12.4 per cent.

After rebounding by 4.3 per cent to hit 33,570 new permanent residents in October, Canada’s monthly immigration fell to 29,430 new permanent residents in November.

Despite that slump in PGP immigration in November, though, the PGP still closed the first 11 months of the year having welcomed 26,600 new permanent residents.

That put the PGP on track, if the trend set in the first 11 months of the year were to continue throughout the rest of 2023, to welcome 29,018 new permanent residents by the end of the year, or 6.4 per cent more than the 27,270 who arrived under that immigration program the previous year.


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Canada’s most populous province, Ontario, saw the greatest number of arrivals under the PGP in the first 11 months of this year with 12,660 parents and grandparents settling there.

The other provinces and territories attracted the following number of new permanent residents under the PGP during that period:

  • Newfoundland and Labrador – 55
  • Prince Edward Island – 10
  • Nova Scotia – 185
  • New Brunswick – 55
  • Quebec – 2,315
  • Manitoba – 1,095
  • Saskatchewan – 730
  • Alberta – 5,145
  • British Columbia – 4,370
  • Yukon – 25
  • Northwest Territories – 15
  • Nunavut – 0

With growing total immigration to Canada, it seems likely PGP immigration will also rise in the coming years.

Under its 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan, Ottawa had set its immigration target for 2023 at 465,000 new permanent residents.

Applicants Must Pay A $1,050 Fee To Sponsor Parents And Grandparents

Under the 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada is also planning to welcome 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024, 500,000 in 2025 and then hold the line on immigration in 2026 with another 500,000 newcomers.

That’s a total of 1.485 million immigrants to Canada over those three years.

Under the PGP, applicants pay $1,050 to sponsor a parent or grandparent and the process takes up to 23 months, with the people being sponsored required to provide biometrics after they apply. That processing time includes the time to provide those biometrics.


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Once a Canadian citizen or permanent resident has submitted an interest in sponsoring these relatives, he or she is sent an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and must then submit two applications to the PGP:

  • the sponsorship application, and;
  • the permanent residence application.

If those applications get the green light, the sponsor signs an agreement called an undertaking which starts on the day the sponsoree becomes a permanent resident of Canada.

Among the several requirements which need to be met to determine eligibility to sponsor a parent or grandparent, are:

  • a receipt of an Invitation to Apply;
  • being at least 18 years old;
  • Canadian residency;
  • being a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act;
  • sufficient funds to support the parent or grandparent;
  • proof of income, although a spouse or common-law partner can co-sign to combine their income with that of the sponsor, and;
  • meeting all other requirements under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

Sponsors Ink Deal With Government To Financially Support Parents And Grandparents

All sponsors living outside of the province of Quebec, which has its own immigration system, must promise to financially support the sponsorees for a period of time.

This undertaking commits the sponsor to:

  • providing financial support for sponsored family members for 20 years, starting when they become permanent residents;
  • repaying any provincial social assistance (money from the government) sponsored family members get during that time, and;
  • agreeing to certain responsibilities during the undertaking period in a sponsorship agreement.

That sponsorship agreement means that the sponsor will provide the basic needs of the sponsoree, including:

  • food;
  • clothing;
  • utilities;
  • personal requirements;
  • shelter;
  • fuel;
  • household supplies, and;
  • healthcare not covered by public health insurance, such as eye and dental care.

Sponsors Remain Financial Responsible For Relatives Even In Tough Times

The sponsorship agreement is not one to be entered into lightly as it is obliges the sponsor to meet those requirements even in the case of:

  • separation or divorce;
  • family rifts;
  • unemployment;
  • change in finances, and even;
  • death of the main applicant.

Sponsors who live in Quebec must meet that province’s immigration sponsorship requirements after the IRCC approves of the sponsor. The length of the undertaking is 10 years for Quebec.

Due to the need for sponsors to accept responsibility for their parents and grandparents through sponsorship agreements under the PGP, past criminality and serious financial troubles can render a Canadian citizen or permanent resident ineligible for this program.

Applicants may not be eligible to sponsor their parents or grandparents if the sponsors:

  • are in a jail, prison or penitentiary;
  • didn’t pay back an immigration loan or performance bond;
  • failed to make court-ordered family support payments such as alimony or child support;
  • didn’t give the financial support specified under a sponsorship agreement to sponsor someone else in the past;
  • declared bankruptcy and are not discharged;
  • receive social assistance for a reason other than a disability;
  • were convicted of a violent criminal offence, any offence against a relative or any sexual offence inside or outside Canada, or;
  • can’t legally stay in Canada and must leave the country because they received a removal order.

The applicant cannot sponsor his or her spouse’s parents or grandparents, aka their in-laws, but can be a co-signer on that spouse’s application to bring to Canada his or her parents and grandparents.

The PGP program also does not allow a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to sponsor someone who is otherwise inadmissible to come to Canada.

The PGP is restricted to the applicant’s own parents and grandparents, related by blood or adoption.

IRCC Urges Applicants To Keep Their Information Current To Avoid Delays

“In case of divorce, you’ll need to submit separate applications if you sponsor divorced parents and grandparents,” notes the IRCC on its website.

“If your divorced parents or grandparents have a current spouse, common-law partner or a conjugal partner, these people become dependants on the application and can immigrate to Canada with your parents and grandparents, if approved.”

A PGP application can include the sponsor’s own brothers and sisters, or half-brothers and sisters, or step-brothers and step-sisters – but only if they qualify as dependent children of the sponsor’s parents.

Delays in processing can quickly occur when the IRCC is faced with information which is no longer accurate and so Canadian immigration officials encourage applicants to keep their contact information and application details up to date.

Important information which must be updated includes:

  • changes in relationship status;
  • birth or adoption of a child;
  • death of an applicant or dependant;
  • contact information such as e-mail addresses, phone numbers, and mailing addresses.

The applicant is responsible for going into the application and updating it with this information him or herself.

“Don’t mail us changes to your contact or application information,” notes the IRCC. “If you do, we won’t acknowledge your request and we won’t update your application.”

Canadian immigration officials notify applicants under the PGP as soon as they begin to process the application, sending them both an application number and an acknowledgement of receipt of the application.

The IRCC then assesses both the applicant’s eligibility as a sponsor and the person being sponsored for permanent residence.

“If we refuse you as a sponsor, you can choose to have us keep processing the application for permanent residence for your family members,” notes the IRCC.

Choosing to have the IRCC continue processing the application at that point means the sponsor forgoes all fees which have been paid.

By choosing to withdraw the application in the eventuality of being deemed ineligible to sponsor, the applicant can get all of his or her fees back, minus the $75 sponsorship fee.

Once Canadian immigration officials have approved a sponsor under the PGP, they then turn their attention to the people being sponsored to determine their eligibility under the program.

The IRCC will typically request documents from those being sponsored, including:

  • medical exam results;
  • police certificates, and;
  • biometrics.

Letters requesting that biometric information are sent to the parents or grandparents and their dependent children as named in the application and they then have 30 days to provide the biometric information at the closest collection point.

Report Says Canada the Safest Place for Travellers in 2024

Canada has been rated the safest place to travel in 2024, after moving up from the sixth spot in 2023.

It also ranked first in terms of safety in transportation, lack of violent crime, and health measures, and as the safest place for women and LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC people.

The ranking was featured in Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s Safest Destinations report, which has, for nine years, helped travelers narrow down where to go when safety is a priority.

The list for 2024 was compiled via a survey of 1,702 travelers evaluated alongside data from the Global Peace Index and the State Department’s travel safety ratings, and the average GeoSure Global scores of each country’s major cities.

“A safe place was originally a place that’s largely free from terrorist activity. Then it became a place that was safe from disease outbreaks. Now it’s a place where all types of people can move about freely without discrimination or harassment,” the company said in its 2024 rankings.

In terms of Canada’s top ranking, Berkshire Hathaway said that “cold weather and low population density make for safe travels.” However, the company did say that visitors should take precautions with natural disasters when coming to Canada, such as wildfires.


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“Canada’s plethora of forests were seemingly all burning, which has reduced air quality in most major Canadian cities. This made travel to Canada difficult for people with respiratory conditions.”

The report also highlighted the possibility of avalanches and rockslides.

However, Canada’s reviews were overwhelmingly positive overall. Gap Year Travel Store, for example, wrote of it that ““As traveling destinations go it really doesn’t get much safer than Canada … Violent crime is comparatively low and there is a low incidence of gun-related crime.”

Switzerland made second place for 2024, moving up from the ninth spot in 2023. Its low crime rate and safety were behind this score hike. Countries to follow it were Norway in third place, Ireland in fourth, and the Netherlands in fifth place.


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The Netherlands ended up falling from the top place, which it had held last year.

The complete list for 2024 is as follows:

1. Canada

2. Switzerland

3. Norway

4. Ireland

5. Netherlands

6. United Kingdom

7. Portugal

8. Denmark

9. Iceland

10. Australia

11. New Zealand

12. Japan

13. France

14. Spain

15. Brazil

Ontario Issues 984 Invitations In New French Speaking Skilled Worker Draw

Ontario immigration has issued Notifications of Interest to 984 candidates in a new draw through the Express Entry-linked French Speaking Skilled Worker stream.

The January 18 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program draws saw NOIs issued to candidates with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score between 317 and 469.

To qualify, candidates also needed work experience in TEER Category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).

To qualify for both draws, candidates had to submit Express Entry profiles within the last year.

Candidates must have a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in French and 6 in English to qualify for the FSSW program.


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Latest Ontario FSSW Draws

Date NOIs Issued CRS Score Range Express Entry profile submission date
Jan 18, 2024 984 317-469 January 18, 2023 –

January 18, 2024


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What Are The Requirements For The Ontario Express Entry: French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream?

To qualify applicants must have:

  • Pending application under the Federal Express Entry system;
  • Minimum of 1-year of full-time, or full-time equivalent work experience under NOC TEER Category 0, 1, 2 or 3
  • Canadian equivalent Bachelors degree, Masters degree or PhD;
  • Minimum CLB level 7 in TEF exam (French); AND minimum CLB 6 in IELTS exam (English)
  • Intention to reside in the Province of Ontario.

 

British Columbia PNP Draw: Province Issues At Least 194 Canada Immigration Invitations

British Columbia has conducted new draws through multiple streams of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program, issuing at least 194 invitations.

The January 16 draws were targeted at specific occupations.

In a tech draw, 91 invitations were issued to skilled workers and international graduates in tech occupations with a minimum score of 103 points.

A further 53 invitations were issued to skilled workers and international graduates scoring at least 60 points in a draw targeting childcare workers.


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Construction workers received 20 invitations with a minimum score of 75 points.

A draw targeted at healthcare workers saw 29 invitations issued to skilled workers and international graduates, with a minimum score of 60 points.

Lastly, veterinary care workers received ‘less than five’ invitations with a minimum score of 60 points. The total was listed as ‘less than five’ to protect the identity of those invited.


Latest B.C. Immigration Draws

Date Category Minimum Score Invitations Issued Description
16-01-24  

 

Skilled Worker, International Graduate

103 91 Tech
60 53 Childcare:
75 20 Construction
60 29 Healthcare
60 <5 Veterinary care

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Francophone Immigration Outside Quebec The Focus Of New Canada Initiatives

Canada is introducing a series of initiatives to support Francophone immigration outside Quebec are being put into place.

These measures include a new Francophone immigration policy, the renewal and expansion of the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative, a new program to support Francophone immigration, and the implementation of the Action Plan for Official Languages.

According to the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website, they will all strengthen the presence of the French language in Canada.

The new policy, announced by Immigration Minister Marc Miller, promotes the vitality and economic development of Francophone minority communities.

“It paves the way for tangible, ambitious and innovative actions in the short, medium and long term that will enable progress towards restoring and increasing the demographic weight of these communities.”


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“It is also based on a series of measures such as promotion and recruitment support efforts, both in Canada and abroad, particularly for specific lines of business, in order to address labour shortages”

The policy will be responsible for overseeing the development of a new program and new measures dedicated to Francophone economic immigration.

Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative

The renewal of the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative will allow 14 Canadian communities to continue to receive funding to develop the integration of French-speaking newcomers.

The expansion of this initiative will enable the Government of Canada to select up to 10 additional communities that will, resultantly, be able to create environments that support the economic and socio-cultural integration of French-speaking newcomers, as per the government website.

Francophone Immigration Support Program

The Francophone Immigration Support Program will be in charge of funding innovative projects to get rid of barriers to Francophone immigration.

In turn, it will be easier for Francophone minority communities to participate in international promotion initiatives and support and recruit Francophone candidates.

“Francophone immigration plays a crucial role in strengthening our national identity. The numerous measures we are implementing will attract skilled Francophone workers who will support the economic and cultural development of these communities,” said Miller.

“Our efforts to ensure the successful reception and integration of French-speaking newcomers support our unwavering commitment to restoring and increasing the demographic weight of Francophone minority communities.”


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The collection of efforts is supported by a $137 million investment announced as part of the Government of Canada’s Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028.

The implementation of all measures included within the action plan demonstrates Ottawa’s commitment to the vitality of Francophone minority communities.

The Minister highlighted that the target of 4.4% French-speaking resident admissions outside Quebec was surpassed in December 2023, reaching roughly 4.7 percent from January to December 2023, as per statistical data.

In 2023, more than 19,600 French-speaking immigrants settled in Francophone communities outside Quebec.

The targets for Francophone immigrant admissions outside Quebec are 6% in 2024, 7% in 2025 and 8% in 2026.

Stopping Temporary Resident Admissions Would See Canada Hit Recession

A new Desjardins Securities Inc. analysis says that reducing the number of temporary residents, international students and temporary foreign workers included could see the country hit recession.

Canada’s growth rate has climbed to 3.2 percent due to unprecedented numbers of immigrants coming to it. Just in the third quarter of 2023, there was a gain of 430,000 people, which is the fastest population growth pace in a single quarter since 1957.

Some 96% of this increase can be attributed to immigration.

“The rest of this gain, four per cent, was the result of natural increase, or the difference between the number of births and deaths,” noted Statistics Canada.

“The contribution of natural increase to population growth is expected to remain low in the coming years because of population aging, lower fertility levels, and the high number of immigrants and non-permanent residents (NPRs) coming to Canada.”


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While this surge in population helped with the labor market, it also drove up housing costs and caused many Canadians to react negatively to the proposition of welcoming more temporary newcomers.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has even addressed the need to adjust Canadian policy to control the “massive expansion” in temporary residents.

However, Randall Bartlett Desjardins’ senior director of Canadian economics, analyzed the impact of dramatically hiking and contracting the number of temporary foreign admissions and found that “a sharp drop-off could deepen the recession expected in early 2024.”

“Closing the door to temporary newcomers would deepen the recession expected in 2024 and blunt the subsequent recovery. It would similarly lower potential GDP,” Bartlett wrote in the report released on Wednesday.

“Caution is warranted on the part of policymakers to minimize the economic downside of slowing newcomer arrivals too quickly. But it’s not an easy balance to strike as sustained high NPR admissions could further strain provincial finances and housing affordability.”

According to Bartlett, halving the number of temporary residents could plummet real GDP considerably below current forecasts, and double the recession that is expected in the first half of 2024.

Canada let in 454,590 new PRs over a 12-month period to October 1, all while bringing in 804,690 non-permanent residents. While temporary admissions are likely to drop with the economy anyway, Bartlett said that the changes in Canadian policy could initiate that decline faster.

Alternatively, if NPR admissions were to remain higher than the baseline projections, GDP growth would be fueled to a point that the economic slowdown that is currently in projection will be milder, possibly allowing Canada to avoid a recession altogether.

However, that would be a challenge for the Bank of Canada to bring inflation to its two percent target.

“Inflation would likely also be more elevated, complicating the Bank of Canada’s job and probably keeping rates higher for longer than they would be otherwise,” wrote Bartlett.

Furthermore, it would have repercussions on the Canada housing crisis, even if the current number of newcomer arrivals are maintained – let alone increased.


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Bartlett used Desjardins’ recent economic and financial outlook as a baseline (which contains population-growth estimates that are roughly in line with the Bank of Canada’s most recent monetary policy recent), according to BNN Bloomberg. The Desjardins forecast assumes half as many non-permanent residents in 2024 in comparison to last year, then half as many again in 2025, before reaching bottom in 2026.

Numbers will start rising again after that.

Based on those estimates, Desjardins predicted that real GDP will grow only by 0.1 percent in 2024, and 1.95 percent on average annually from 2025 through 2028.

However, if Canada were to shut the door to temporary residents, with a halt in NPR admissions, real GDP growth would contract by 0.7 this year, while an increase in admissions would cause it to rise by 1 per cent.

While the Bank of Canada’s official forecast does not predict recession, its Governor, Tiff Macklem, said in a BNN Bloomberg interview that the first part of 2024 is “not going to feel good.”

The Canada federal government released its immigration levels targets in November, detailing its plans on maintaining its targets of 485,000 PRs for 2024, 500,000 for 2025, and thereon stabilizing them at 500,000.

Poll Finds Most Canadians Support Temporary Foreign Workers

A strong majority of Canadians agree that temporary foreign workers are important (48%) or somewhat important (34%) to the Canadian economy, a poll has found.

Moreover, older Canadians of 55-plus (56%) are more likely than younger Canadians (38%) to agree to this assertion.

Conducted by Nanos Research, which is one of North America’s top-most research and strategy organizations, and which helps corporations, government agencies and advocacy associations understand and chart the public mood, the poll gauged the views of Canadians on temporary foreign workers.

Specifically, it focussed on their importance to the Canadian economy, support for employers bringing them to Canada to fill jobs, allowing them to become citizens or PRs, having more temporary foreign workers come to Canada for jobs, and allowing them to change employers.

To achieve this aim, Nanos conducted an RDD dual frame (land-and cell-lines) hybrid telephone and online random survey of 1,006 Canadians, 18 years of age or older, between December 17 and 29, 2029, as part of an omnibus survey.

Participants were randomly recruited via telephone using live agents and administered an online survey.


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They sample included both land- and cell-lines throughout Canada. The results were statistically checked and weighted by age and gender using the latest Census information and the sample is geographically stratified to be representative of Canada.

They margin of error for this survey is ± 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

The research was commissioned by the Globe and Mail.

Another key finding of the report was that eight in ten Canadians support (49%) or somewhat support (30%) employers bringing in temporary foreign workers to help fill jobs they can’t find Canadians to do.

This support is stronger in the Atlantic region (61% support, 25% somewhat support) and Quebec (57% support, 32% somewhat support).


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Over two-thirds of Canadians show support for interested temporary foreign workers remaining in Canada to become citizens or permanent residents. Older Canadians (74% of those 55 and above), once again, were more likely to extend such support than their younger counterparts (62% of those between 18-34).

Canadians were also more likely to support (31%) rather than oppose (17%) allowing temporary foreign workers who are brought to Canada for a specific job to change employers.

Quebec residents are more likely to support this (43%) than Prairie residents (24%) and British Columbia residents (26%).

Number Of Indian International Student Applications To Canada Falls

A new report by Better Dwelling says the high cost of living and the weak labour market has caused a 41% drop in the number of international students from India who are applying to pursue post-secondary education in Canada.

While Ottawa processed close to 146,000 new study permit applications for Indian students from July to October in 2022, it processed less than 87,000 applications during the same period in 2023.

The Vancouver-based daily news publisher and financial media company claimed that the trend especially took off in the second half of 2023.

India – which is the largest source of international students in Canada – reportedly showed 19,700 study permit applications in September, which is a 51% fall in demand to 18,8000 application filings during the month in question.

This sudden pattern shift was first observed in June, when there was a sharp drop in the monthly study permit applications from India. The rise in application numbers went from around 100% to around 12%, the month after which it went into the negatives.


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While July observed an approximately 12% fall in study permit application numbers, August observed the largest fall yet at 44%, and September experienced little more than a 50% fall.

Many experts attribute this to the rise in diplomatic tensions between India and Canada. However, the G20 meeting that led to those tensions only happened in mid-September. A more likely cause for the change is the discussion on Canada’s exploitation of international students, which came ahead of this riff.

There has been an increase in the number of international students posting on social media about the hardships of studying in Canada as a foreigner, making special mention of the high cost of living and lack of the opportunities that they had been promised, according to Better Dwelling Co-Founder Stephen Punwasi.

The media’s role in this cannot be understated; according to an ApplyBoard report, the number of articles written about Canada housing increased five-fold between April and August 2023, compared to the same period last year.

The percentage of content flagged as “negative” rose from 12 to 30% too, with Indian students’ financial problems and unemployment challenges being recurrent themes.

The pattern of falling study permit numbers does not stem from India only, however. Such a trend has had an impact on study permits in general, which have experienced a 20% contraction. Just 60.3 thousand study permits were processed in September, which is a drop of 20% (-15.5k) from last year.

This was the largest annual contraction since 2020, when processing was closed in many countries.


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In fact, study permit growth is falling so fast that it may even have been flat in 2023.

Further complicating this issue is IRCC’s recently imposed hike to the proof of financial support requirement for student visa applicants, which – although shows that the government is taking international students’ hardships seriously – has received mixed reaction from students.

While some appreciate that Ottawa recognizes the challenges they face, others see the sudden and large increase as a significant barrier.

As per ApplyBoard, the change is positive and will only allow those to enter Canada who can afford to.

ApplyBoard noted in a December 11 report that Indian students are not necessarily going to other English-speaking countries to study, either.

“While the US and particularly Australia did see some growth over the period in question, it wasn’t nearly enough to account for Canada’s decline,” it said, and also pointed out that the UK has seen a drop in international students because of its ban on most of them bringing dependents with them to the country.

Canada’s woes in terms of attracting international talent and students are mirrored through its woes of retaining them, as residents are choosing to leave it at alarming rates. StatsCan data, in fact, indicated that in the third quarter of 2023, Canada underwent the fourth-largest departure of its residents in the last 73 years, with a 3% increase in emigration.

Young Canadians Optimistic About Buying A Home This Year

A survey conducted by the Wahi real estate agency says Young adults are the most optimistic age group in Canada about buying a home this year despite the rising cost of house prices.

In its 2024 Homebuyer Intentions Survey, the real estate agency examined the attitudes of Canadians towards homebuying over the next year.

The results of that survey revealed nearly one-quarter, 24 per cent, of Canadians aged 18 to 34 years old hope to buy a home in 2024.

That means these young adults are more likely to be planning to buy a home than those aged 35 to 54 years old or those 55 years old and above.

Among those 35-to-54 years old, only 22 per cent they planned to buy a home this year and only 11 per cent of those aged 55 and older said they planned to do so. The national average for all age groups was 18 per cent.


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With higher housing costs than in the past, many of those who are hoping to buy a home this year are planning to tighten their belts and work side gigs to raise the needed down payments.

“Some 45 per cent of potential homebuyers say they are cutting back on spending to set themselves up financially for purchasing a home in 2024, making it the most common sacrifice,” noted Wahi in a statement.

“Canadians aged 18 to 34 were most likely to cut back on spending, at 59 per cent.”

One in five Canadians with homebuying intentions this year says he or she is planning to work more hours or take on a gig-economy job, such as driving for Uber. And about one in five, 19 per cent, of these potential homebuyers aged 18-34 plan to purchase that property with a partner or family member to split the cost.


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“Many Canadians are planning to purchase a home this year, particularly in some of the country’s more affordable markets, and they’re also willing to make lifestyle and work changes to realize their dreams,” said Wahi CEO Benjy Katchen.

Across the country, Alberta has the highest proportion, at 25 per cent, of those saying they may buy a home next year, possibly reflecting the affordability of Calgary and Edmonton compared to other major Canadian cities.

Albertans Most Likely To Be Planning To Buy A Home This Year, Atlantic Canadians The Least

In British Columbia and Ontario, the provinces with the highest home prices, 21 per cent and 19 per cent of respondents, respectively, may buy a home next year.

In one of the lowest-cost real estate markets in the country, Atlantic Canada, only 11 per cent of those surveyed said they planned to buy a home, meaning those living in that region are the least likely of all Canadians to be planning to buy a home this year.

Atlantic Canadians, though, have the highest share of existing homeownership at 58 per cent.

Many of those Canadians who are planning to buy a home this year are keeping an eye on real estate prices and interest rates.

“Among Canadians who say they might, or probably will, buy a home in 2024, the top potential barriers are simply that they want to see what happens with home prices, at 49 per cent, and with interest rates, at 48 per cent.

“More than a quarter … of these respondents aren’t sure if they have enough savings, especially those residing in British Columbia … Atlantic Canada … and Ontario.”

The survey was conducted in both official languages of Canada from Dec. 14 to 18, 2023 from a representative sample of 1,508 Canadians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum.

Marc Miller Says Canada Considering Cap On International Students,

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.

Immigration Strategy

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.

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