Canada tightens immigration and refugee policies, experts voice concern

Toronto, Canada – When Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a widely praised speech at the World Economic Forum earlier this year, Diana Gallego, co-executive director of the FCJ Refugee Centre in Toronto, felt a sense of disconnect from reality.

Gallego is among more than a dozen experts—including lawyers, professors, human rights activists, and former government officials—who told Al Jazeera that Canada is at a 'worrying' crossroads in its policies toward immigrants and refugees.

As Canadians grapple with rising economic and social pressures in recent years, the long-standing consensus on immigration's benefits has frayed. Hostile rhetoric blaming newcomers for Canada's problems has escalated. Prime Minister Carney’s government has cut temporary visas and restricted access to asylum. Experts say a 'generational shift' is underway.

Surge in temporary migrants

For decades, immigration to Canada was seen as a positive force—boosting the economy, filling key job sectors, and offsetting rapid population aging. But in recent years, Canadian public opinion has undergone its sharpest shift on immigration, and the government has leveraged growing negative sentiment to cut programs and pass new restrictive laws.

Policy changes began under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. His government sharply increased temporary immigration during the COVID-19 pandemic to fill labor market gaps. By October 2024, nearly 3.15 million people had no permanent resident status in Canada, about 8% of the population. At the same time, systemic issues—such as a shortage of affordable housing, high food prices, and long hospital wait times—stressed many households.

A 2024 poll showed that for the first time in decades, a majority of Canadians believed there were 'too many immigrants.' Since then, several xenophobic attacks have been reported in Canada’s largest cities. Trudeau’s government vowed to bring immigration back to 'sustainable' levels, starting with cuts, most notably to student visas.

Misplaced blame

The number of people arriving in Canada has dropped sharply as student and work visas have been canceled, forcing thousands to leave or stay without legal status. By early this year, the number of non-permanent residents stood at about 2.67 million, down 15% from the October 2024 peak.

Allan Rock, a former Canadian justice minister, said the government 'is reading the situation and sensing that Canadians are connecting local economic and financial difficulties with immigration.' Meanwhile, right-wing politicians have capitalized on public sentiment. The opposition Conservative Party has pushed the government to cut healthcare for those it labels 'fake refugees' and called for changes to birthright citizenship.

Human rights activists denounce such rhetoric, accusing policymakers of wrongly scapegoating immigrants and refugees for social problems to avoid accountability. They note that immigration’s impact on housing prices is far less than public opinion suggests.

Carney continues hardline approach

Since taking office in April 2025, Prime Minister Carney has continued his predecessor Trudeau’s immigration policies. In late March, his government passed new legislation (Bill C-12) granting Ottawa the power to cancel visas en masse, including for permanent residents, if deemed in the 'public interest.' The law also restricts access to the refugee status determination system.

The government argues the act aims to address the asylum backlog—nearly 300,000 cases by the end of last year—and curb 'fraud.' However, experts say the law will not solve the backlog and will only fuel xenophobic rhetoric. Julia Sande, a lawyer with Amnesty International Canada, criticized: 'Instead of taking responsibility, the government looks for a group to blame—and who better than those without the right to vote?'

Beyond Bill C-12, Carney’s government has also cut the refugee healthcare program, extended a freeze on refugee resettlement applications, and announced significant funding cuts to several departments, including immigration. Plans to cut the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) have also been reported, raising concerns about prolonged delays.

Despite these concerns, Prime Minister Carney continues to enjoy high approval ratings, justifying the policies as part of a 'strong' response to pressure from the Trump administration. Professor John Carlaw of Toronto Metropolitan University describes this as a 'honeymoon period' and a 'worrying phase' as Canada 'pulls back on social spending and invests in militarization and border enforcement.'

Not immune to rights setbacks

Activists continue to push back. Luisa Ortiz-Garza, a human rights organizer for migrants, calls for solidarity: 'What the government does is pit people against each other... We are trying to organize conversations to unite people.'

Sande warns that Canada is 'not immune' to human rights regression: 'Things will continue to get worse until governments feel they are held accountable. The blame can start with immigrants, but it never ends there.'