The dream of making it big in Canada is turning into a battle for survival for many immigrants due to the high cost of living and rental shortages, as rising emigration numbers hint to newcomers being forced to turn their back on a country that they chose to make their adopted home. Under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, Canada has focused on immigration as a means to counter the challenges posed by an aging and slowing population. This strategy has also fueled economic growth and led to the country's population increasing at its fastest rate in over six decades. However, a reversal of this trend is gradually taking hold as more individuals choose to leave Canada.
Official data shows that in the first half of 2023, approximately 42,000 people departed Canada, adding to the 93,818 who left in 2022 and the 85,927 exits in 2021. While this number is a fraction of the 263,000 who arrived during the same period, the steady rise in emigration is concerning.
For a nation built on immigrants, the rising trend of people leaving Canada risks undermining one of Trudeau's government's signature policies. In just eight years, his government granted permanent residency to a record 2.5 million individuals. However, the high cost of living is pushing many to reconsider their decision to stay.
Cara, a 25-year-old refugee from Hong Kong who arrived in 2022, now pays a significant portion of her monthly salary in rent for a single-room basement apartment in Scarborough, north of Toronto. She shares, "I never realized that living in a Western country, you can only afford renting a room in the basement." Cara works three part-time jobs, earning Ontario's minimum wage, and struggles to make ends meet.
Skyrocketing housing costs are the primary reason for immigrants considering leaving Canada. According to a September report from RBC, on average, Canadians need about 60% of their household income to cover home ownership costs, which rises to around 98% in Vancouver and 80% in Toronto.
Myo Maung, who migrated from Myanmar over three decades ago, has enjoyed a successful career as a real estate agent and restaurateur in Canada. However, he plans to retire somewhere like Thailand because he cannot maintain his living standard with his retirement income in Canada.
The rapid pace of immigration is exacerbating the housing shortage, according to Phil Triadafilopoulos, a political science professor at the University of Toronto specializing in immigration. He explains that those with options may choose to go to another country or return home after experiencing the housing situation in Canada.
Recognizing the problem, Trudeau's government recently announced a cap on new residents at half a million per year from 2025 onwards, aiming to ease pressure on the housing market. However, for some, this may be too little, too late.
Justinas Stankus, who came to Canada from Lithuania in 2019 to pursue a doctorate, is considering relocating to Southeast Asia where the cost of living is lower. Stankus, facing increasing living expenses and struggling to afford basic necessities, finds his graduate student budget unsustainable in Canada.
The story is similar for many immigrants in Canada. The high cost of living and rental shortages are pushing them to consider leaving, regardless of their initial dreams and aspirations. The reversal of the immigration trend poses a challenge for Trudeau's government and casts a shadow over Canada's appeal as a favored destination for newcomers.