Canada Relies on Immigration to Boost Population Growth and Productivity in The Workforce
Canada’s open immigration policies are saving the country from a decline in both population and economic growth. Since the large generation of Baby Boomers continues to retire and fertility rates are on the decline, the working-age population will keep shrinking.
However, Canada continues to welcome immigration, including skilled immigrants, which has significantly helped with our population growth. Without immigration in Canada, we wouldn’t have enough workers participating in the workforce, being productive, and contributing to our economic growth and stability.
According to a recent Global News article, findings from Goldman Sachs economists suggest both Canada and the U.S. rely heavily on immigration for economic growth, and any reduction in immigration numbers will directly affect these countries’ economies.
Currently, the U.S. is ranked at the top of the G10 countries for population growth, with immigration contributing to almost half of the population growth. Canada is third, with immigration contributing to more than two-thirds of the population growth. Without immigration, these populations would drastically decline since populations are aging and fertility rates are dropping, especially in Canada.
Canada’s population growth has hit a plateau, which has been mirrored around the globe. Statistics Canada predicts that without immigration, Canada will see a zero percent population growth in 20 years. This is in large part due to our aging population and decline in fertility rates. But since many of the immigrants to Canada are younger than the average Canadian, the working-age population will continue to grow with the immigration numbers. Even though Canadians are having less children and more are retiring, immigrants are coming to Canada with their young families, contributing to the workforce, and keeping Canada’s economy on track.
Without immigration, Canada’s workforce would decline and the economy would slow down. We wouldn’t have enough workers to fill the many positions required to keep our country’s economy stable. But Canadians don’t have to worry about this, since immigration in Canada is encouraged and accepted.
The U.S., on the other hand, has much to worry about with Donald Trump’s new immigration policies. Not only can the U.S. population growth be stalled, and eventually decline with their aging population, but the U.S. can also lose many workers who contribute to a large part of the U.S. workforce. In addition, US policies may deter many professionals and intellectuals from choosing the United States as a country to pursue opportunities and higher education out of fear that they may be rejected or mistreated due to their race and nationality.
Share this article
Arghavan Gerami
Arghavan Gerami is the Founder and Senior Counsel at Gerami Law Professional Corporation ('PC'), a full-service immigration law firm in Ottawa, Ontario. Since 2011, Ms. Gerami has focused her practice on immigration and refugee litigation. Prior to that, Ms. Gerami worked at the Ministry of Attorney General and the Department of Justice and had the privilege of serving the Honourable Mr. Justice M. Evans at the Federal Court of Appeal on immigration and administrative law appeals. Ms. Gerami contributes to the Immigration Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association, the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Ms. Gerami has also published numerous journal articles and presented at various immigration and refugee law conferences and events across Canada.