Thriving Communities at the Intersection of Immigration, Talent and Infrastructure in the Upcoming Provincial Election

Immigration is a defining feature of Canada’s past, present and future. Immigrants live in our community, access services and support business like everyone else. They enrich the life of our community through volunteering, philanthropy, arts, culture, cuisine and more. The success of immigrants benefits everyone.

Despite slow growth in the first year of the pandemic, immigration in Canada and Waterloo Region has been on the rise for the last ten years. Annual permanent immigration levels in Canada will have grown by 90% between 2014 and 2024 according to the latest immigration levels plan. Statistics Canada tell us that 80% of population growth now comes from immigration. Here in Waterloo Region, we saw a 250% increase in permanent immigration landings from 2015 to 2021 – a record high year for immigration. In 2016 there were almost 120,000 immigrants living in Waterloo Region, and as of 2018 there was additionally more than 34,000 temporary residents living here. This will continue to grow as the federal government continues to increase immigration and it is impacting life in the region.

Most immigrants are of working age and are selected to come to Canada because they are likely to succeed in our economy. When we ask immigrants about their greatest challenges, employment and housing are at the top. It can be very difficult to land meaningful jobs where they can contribute their full skills and experience, or find housing that is affordable and suitable to their family’s needs.

Employers are facing a talent crisis that has been growing and exacerbated in the pandemic. We hear many challenges from employers across sectors when it comes to hiring newcomers ranging from not knowing how to access talent, complicated immigration programs, real or perceived language barriers, regulatory barriers, skills mismatch and more. There is fierce competition for talent in Waterloo Region and we also compete globally as international talent considers a range of destinations. Prospective immigrants are looking at not just employment opportunities, but the quality of life they will enjoy in their country and community of choice. Will they find good housing (we have a housing shortage)? Will they be able to access health care (we have a shortage of doctors)? What educational opportunities are available? What is culture of the community like and what kinds of arts, culture and social opportunities are available?

In the upcoming provincial election and as we move forward into a post-pandemic era, there is a strong connection between talent attraction and retention, immigration and population growth and the resulting pressures that must be urgently addressed. We need smart and targeted provincial policy and investments in the coming term of government.

We need investment in small and medium sized business viability and growth to ensure many competitive, well-paid jobs are available across sectors. We need targeted and agile immigration programs that enable employers to access quickly the talent they need, and the removal of regulatory hurdles that prevent skilled immigrants from entering regulated professions and trades. We need greater investment in targeted employment programs for immigrants in communities outside the GTA to help them better bridge into meaningful work when they arrive. We need better forecasting for population and community infrastructure growth, combined with substantially more investment in new housing at all levels of affordability, in increased capacity in our health system and graduation of many more family physicians who can take on new patients, in affordable childcare, in education and much more. This will create thriving and prosperous communities for everyone in our community, regardless of where they were born.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tara Bedard

Tara Bedard is the Executive Director of the Immigration Partnership of Waterloo Region. The Immigration Partnership is a collaboration of over 60 community service, post-secondary, business and municipal organizations plus residents of Waterloo Region working together to create the conditions for immigrants to succeed and help build a welcoming, dynamic community.

GOT GLOBAL COINS & BILLS SITTING AROUND YOUR HOUSE?

COLLECT THEM & DONATE TO