Canada reimposes visas requirements for Mexicans as asylum claims surge
BBC NewsFeb 25
Canada Announces Major Cuts to Immigration
Above: Justin Trudeau, Canada's prime minister, during a news conference in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Image copyright: Graham Hughes/Bloomberg/Contributor via Getty Images
The Facts
Canada announced on Thursday that it's making significant cuts to the number of immigrants it lets in — an effort the government said was aimed at halting population growth and taking pressure off housing stock and social services in the country.
It comes after Canada's population grew by 3.2% from 2023 to 2024 — the biggest annual rise in the country since 1957, taking its population to 41M.
The Spin
Left narrative
Following the COVID pandemic, Canada loosened immigration rules to help get the economy going again but didn't get the balance quite right, putting too much strain on social services and available housing. Canada maintains its proud policies of welcoming immigrants but is reducing the flow to allow the government to catch up again.
Right narrative
Trudeau's government broke the immigration system, leading to these strains in society that have severely damaged his standing in the polls. Desperate to stay in power, Trudeau announced these changes in the hopes it will reverse his unpopularity ahead of the election next year.