The Economic Crisis and its Impact on Migration: A Canadian Perspective Presentation to the OECD Hig

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The Economic Crisis and its Impact on Migration
A Canadian PerspectivePresentation to the OECD
High Level Policy Forum on MigrationJune 29, 2009
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Canadas primary migration program is permanent
in nature. Immigrants come to Canada, become
citizens, and stay.

• In 2008, 247,243 immigrants were admitted to
  Canada as Permanent Residents.
• Approximately 250,000 immigrants come to Canada
  each year more than 50 of immigrants are
  destined to enter the labour market in a wide
  range of occupations (129,426 intending to work
  in 2008).
• Of these, only about 45,000 are skilled worker
  principal applicants (43,360 in 2008) that are
  selected under our points system -- in other
  words, about 18 of total immigrants to Canada.
• Most immigrants take-up citizenship after 4 years
  of residence.
• In 2008, there were 192,519 total entries of
  Temporary Foreign Workers.

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What we know about immigrants who enter Canada
during a recession.

• Immigrants who arrived during past recessions are
  similar to Canadian-born labour market entrants
  during downturns, and
• have lower entry earnings to start,
• experience slower earnings growth over time, and
• are not likely to recoup losses in earnings.
• Immigrants entering Canada during a recession are
  also more likely
• to be employed in jobs requiring less education,
• to see their skills deteriorate rapidly if they
  are not used,
• to find themselves in poverty, and
• to leave and have higher onward migration rates.

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However, challenges that existed before the
economic downturn remain.

• Skill shortages
• In the short run, there are still labour
  shortages of both low skilled and high skilled
  workers.
• Demographic challenges associated with an ageing
  population
• In the long run, there will be labour shortages
  due to our aging population.
• Fewer producers per consumer in the country.
• Conditions of current recession
• Employment rate is higher and unemployment rate
  is lower than we experienced during previous
  recessions.
• Continuation of family reunification and refugee
  immigration regardless of the economic situation

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What we are doing Current policy directions

• Introduce Occupational Filter (Permanent
  Stream) Selection of new federal skilled worker
  applications from candidates who are in
  high-demand occupations or have offer of
  arranged employment or have been living in Canada
  for one year as a temporary foreign worker or
  international student.
• Support for settlement Ongoing and significant
  emphasis to provide services for supporting
  immigrant settlement and integration (e.g.,
  language training, information and orientation,
  social engagement, initiatives to facilitate
  integration into the labour market).
• Tighten Labour Market Test (Temporary Foreign
  Workers) Employers must provide proof that there
  is no local for the position and that recruitment
  from abroad will not adversely impact the
  Canadian economy.
• Maintain levels Canada is using permanent
  migration as one tool to address an ageing
  population and to maintain labour force growth
  maintaining immigration levels in 2009 to welcome
  between 240,000 and 265,000 new permanent
  residents (on par with last year).

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