Canada’s Immigration Conundrum: Economic Boon or Bust?

Commentary Immigration is a hot topic lately. Until recently, anyone questioning the “immigration is good for the economy” mantra was ruthlessly shouted down and labelled a bigot. The Canadian fondness for immigration is certainly understandable. Canada was, and to some extent still is, an underpopulated nation. Out of 249 countries and dependencies, Canada ranks 238th in population density at four people per square kilometre. For most of its history, Canada has grown in wealth as its population expanded. We are a nation of immigrants as the French, English, Scots, Irish, and other groups from Europe and eventually elsewhere came to Canada. Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, populations and standards of living have increased....