November 6, 2020
By Marco Mendicino, Vancouver Sun
From that famous expression “demography is destiny,” we can derive an enduring lesson about immigration in Canada. As we look back to the turn of the 20th century, through the post-Second World War boom, to the last half-decade, a clear pattern emerges: when our population grows, our economy grows, and all Canadians benefit.
This is why one of the keys to both our short-term economic recovery and long-term prosperity is the government’s 2021-2023 Immigration Plan, which puts our target for population growth at a little over one per cent. This growth is imperative if we want to leverage the advantages we have and keep Canada competitive on the world stage.
Newcomers are playing an outsized role in stepping up to fill some of our most acute labour shortages during COVID-19, including in health, agriculture and the trades. Thanks to them, countless Canadians have food on their tables, a roof over their heads, and the support that they need.