Immigration Numbers: We’re Being Swamped
[These are notes from a talk given by Bubba Pollock to the Canada First Immigration Reform Committee in London, November 25, 2023.]
The number of immigrants entering Canada increased by 62% in 2021-2022 from the number of immigrants entering Canada in 2017-2018.
If this trend continues, by 2026, the number of immigrantsentering Canada annually will have more than doubled.
What effect has this had?
According to the Fraser Institute
● The wait time from referral to treatment for all procedures increased nationally by 10% from 2019 to
2022
● Wait time for Ontarians from referral by GP to appointment with a specialist increased by 23% from 2021 to 2022
● It’s estimated that the total number of procedures patients were waiting for in December 2022 was 1,228,047 (3% of Canadians)
● A study by Stokes and Somerville (2008) found that the cumulative total lost economic output that represents the cost of waiting longer than medically recommended for treatment for total joint replacement
cataract surgery, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and MRI scans in 2007 was an estimated $14.8 billion
According to Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation
● Housing availability in Canada decreased by 18% between 2019 and 2022
● Housing availability in Ontario decreased by 15.7% between 2019 and 2022
● The average rent for a 2 bedroom apartment in
Canada increased by 16.8% from 2019 to 2022
● The average rent for a 2 bedroom apartment in
Ontario increased by 16.1% from 2019 to 2022
According to Statistics Canada
● Violent crime in Canada rose 11% between 2020 and
2022
● Robbery increased by 15% in 2022
● Homicide increased by 8% in 2022
● Police reported crime rate was up 5% in 2022
Over next 2 years Trudeau government’s target is to admit 985,000 permanent residents, with a plan to continually
increase the annual number by 10% year over year.
