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Canada's Immigration Policy Under Fire Amid Rising Youth Unemployment and High Temporary Worker Numbers

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Canada's immigration policy has sparked controversy as the country's youth unemployment rate nears 15%, with the opposition party accusing the government of prioritizing temporary foreign workers over Canadian youth. According to Statistics Canada, the overall unemployment rate stands at 6.9%, with youth employment levels at their lowest since November 1998, excluding the pandemic years. The Conservative Party leader, Pierre Poilievre, has criticized the government's Temporary Foreign Workers programme, stating that the promised cap of 82,000 was exceeded by 23,000 in the first half of 2025.

Key Takeaways:

  • The youth unemployment rate in Canada has reached 15%, with overall unemployment at 6.9%.
  • The government's Temporary Foreign Workers programme has exceeded its promised cap, with 105,000 permits issued in the first half of 2025, compared to the targeted 82,000.
  • The International Mobility Programme (IMP) has seen an increase in temporary workers, with 302,280 work permits issued in the first six months of 2025, compared to the targeted 285,000.
  • Indians accounted for 94,010 of the total 302,280 work permits issued under IMP in the first six months of 2025, a decline from 2023 when they accounted for 250,785 out of 761,600.
  • The number of Indians issued work permits under the Temporary Foreign Workers programme has also decreased, from 250,785 in 2023 to 209,065 in 2024.
  • The opposition party has called for even lower numbers of temporary workers to address issues such as jobs, healthcare, and housing.

Statistics:

  • Youth unemployment rate: 15% (nearing a quarter-century high)
  • Overall unemployment rate: 6.9%
  • Temporary Foreign Workers programme cap: 82,000 (exceeded by 23,000 in the first half of 2025)
  • International Mobility Programme (IMP) work permits issued: 302,280 (in the first six months of 2025)
  • Number of Indians issued work permits under IMP: 94,010 (in the first six months of 2025)
  • Number of Indians issued work permits under the Temporary Foreign Workers programme: 16,560 (in 2024)

Sources:

  • Canadian Press
  • Statistics Canada
  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
  • Hindustan Times

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