Hmmm! It is clear that the picture of this exodus out of Canada is complex

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Canada! A land of dreams, they say. A place where anyone can make it, no matter where they come from. For my immigrant readers: do you remember the day you first heard about Canada? The hope, the excitement. You were willing to risk it all. To leave behind everything you know, to chase a dream. Canada, here I come!

“These are tradespeople who build our homes, nurses who care for our loved ones, truckers who facilitate commerce, and entrepreneurs who spur innovation,” said ICC CEO Daniel Bernhard. “They are increasingly headed out the door.”

A new report from the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC), conducted by the Conference Board of Canada shows that immigrants are leaving Canada in record numbers, particularly the high-skilled immigrants Canada urgently needs.

Bernhard notes that the concerning findings of the report, entitled, “The Leaky Bucket 2024: A closer look at immigrant onward migration in Canada,” coincide with 30-year lows in public support for immigration.

“Canadians are bombarded with commentary telling them that high immigration levels are to blame for homegrown challenges including housing supply, inaccessible healthcare, crime, and even traffic,” said Bernhard. “Be careful what you wish for. This is globally coveted talent with global options. We need programs that entice them to stay, become active citizens and help fuel our economy.”

ICC’s first “Leaky Bucket” report was released in 2023, produced by the Conference Board of Canada. That original study revealed the alarming trend of immigrants leaving Canada in growing numbers to seek opportunity elsewhere. The 2024 report provides updated figures and digs deeper into the characteristics of those immigrants who are leaving in greater and greater numbers. Highlights of the findings include:

• Francophone immigrants to Quebec and Ontario are much more likely than Anglophone immigrants to leave Canada to seek opportunity elsewhere.
• The most populous cities in Canada—Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver— see high turnover rates of immigrants. They function as hubs for immigrant communities to access resources and support for their settlement journey.
• In contrast, fast-growing, mid-sized cities in other provinces (Calgary, Alberta, Halifax, Nova Scotia and Moncton, New Brunswick) see the opposite trend, but have potentially greater challenges retaining immigrants in communities outside of their larger cities.
• The Atlantic provinces see the highest rates of onward migration in Canada in the shorter term (three to seven years after arrival), but the lowest rates longer term (25 years and more after arrival).
• The highest two origin nations of immigrants leaving Canada are a combination of countries allowing dual citizenship (Lebanon) and those restricting citizenship only to that country (South Korea).

The report includes recommendations to help stem the outward flow of newcomers, such as:

• Support provinces and municipalities to understand onward migration trends and address unique challenges in their cities and regions.
• Develop short-term and long-term strategies to address retention challenges at different points in immigrants’ settlement journeys.
• Engage educational institutions and settlement service organizations in the retention conversation.

Hmmm! It is clear that the picture of this exodus out of Canada is complex. From rising costs of living and housing to a sense of economic stagnation and political dissatisfaction, there are numerous factors at play.

Now, I want to ask the question. Why do you think people are choosing to leave Canada? What do you believe we, as a nation, are missing? Share your thoughts and insights in the comments below. Let’s spark a conversation and work together to find solutions that will keep Canada a vibrant and prosperous home for all.