Canada is lost

[DKG]

Finally some good news for Canada. It is too little too late, but we will take it.

https://www.fraserinstitute.org/commentary/number-newcomers-canada-set-drop-significantly?utm_medium=paid&utm_source=fb&utm_id=6691766785996&utm_content=6691766786796&utm_term=6691766786396&utm_campaign=6691766785996&fbclid=IwY2xjawH_4AVleHRuA2FlbQEwAGFkaWQAAAYWDGT7tAEdbjOWg_TMmX935VgCq6nsK3iAhf3FlwBiL5upvNiYr-2VhfhI05qKrnlm_aem_zC8LssltdgY0ECI9amz8og
Late last year, Statistics Canada reported that Canada's population reached 41.5 million in October, up 177,000 from July 2024. Over the preceding 12 months, the population rose at a 2.3 per cent pace, indicating some deceleration from previous quarters. International migration accounts for virtually 100 per cent of the population gain. This includes a mix of permanent immigrants and large numbers of "non-permanent residents" (NPRs) most of whom are here on time-limited work or student visas.

The recent easing of population growth mainly reflects a slowdown in non-permanent immigration, after a period of increases with little apparent oversight or control by government officials. The dramatic jump in NPRs played a key role in pushing Canada's population growth rate to near record levels in 2023 and the first half of 2024.

Amid this demographic surge, a public and political backlash developed, due to concerns that Canada's skyrocketing population has aggravated the housing affordability and supply crisis and put significant pressure on government services and infrastructure. In addition, the softening labour market has been unable to create enough jobs to employ the torrent of newcomers, leading to a steadily higher unemployment rate over the last year.

In response, the Trudeau government belatedly announced a revised "immigration plan" intended to scale back inflows. Permanent immigration is being trimmed from 500,000 a year to less than 400,000. At the same time, the number of work and study visas will be substantially reduced. Ottawa also pledges to speed the departure of temporary immigrants whose visas have expired or will soon.

Remarkably, NPRs now comprise 7.3 per cent of the country's population, a far higher share than in the past. The government has promised to bring this down to 5 per cent by 2027, which equates to arranging for some two million NPRs to depart when their visas expire. There are doubts that our creaking immigration and border protection machinery can deliver on these commitments. Many NPRs with expired visas may seek to stay. That said, the total number of newcomers landing in Canada is set to drop significantly.

According to the government, this will cause the country's total population to shrink in 2025-2026, something that has rarely happened before.

Even if Ottawa falls short of hitting its revised immigration goals, a period of much lower population growth lies ahead. However, this will pose its own economic challenges. A fast-expanding population has been the dominant factor keeping Canada's economy afloat over the last few years, as productivity—the other source of long-term economic growth—has stagnated and business investment has remained sluggish. It's also important to recognize that per-person GDP—a broad measure of living standards—has been declining as economic growth has lagged behind Canada's rapid population growth. Now, as the government curbs permanent immigrant numbers and sharply reduces the pool of NPRs, this impetus to economic growth will suddenly diminish.

However, Canada will continue to have high levels of immigration compared to peer jurisdictions. The lowered targets for permanent immigration—395,000 in 2025, followed by 380,000 and 365,000 in the following two years—are still above pre-pandemic benchmarks. This underscores the continued importance of immigration to Canada's economic and political future.

Instead of obsessing about near-term targets, policymakers should think about how to ensure that immigration can advance Canada's prosperity and provide benefits to both the existing population and those who come here.

Canada has been stuck in the mass immigration trap under Trudeau. The demand it creates has increased GDP, but not on per capita basis. Trudeau has chased off investment and productivity has declined. Mass immigration is the only thing that has kept Canada artificially afloat.

[Herman]

NOBODY in Canada, of any background, should feel shame for bringing kids into the world. What is our government promoting.

[Herman]

Former pm Stephen Harper says that the current trade environment is an opportunity if we do it right. That will not happen until these Liberals lose the next election.

[Herman]

[Herman]

[DKG]

Alberta has nearly six times the natural gas it thought, putting Canada among world's top 10
'We're Texas-sized as far as gas goes; we've got some big numbers' — Alberta Energy Minister Brian Jean

Alberta's proven natural gas reserves have increased nearly sixfold to 130 trillion cubic feet since they were last assessed, according to a new study, giving Canada's oilpatch leaders something to show off this week at a Texas oil summit in hopes of turning heads and capital flows northward.

https://financialpost.com/commodities/energy/oil-gas/alberta-major-revision-oil-gas-reserve-estimates

Tragically, it will never reach international markets thanks to activist prime ministers like Justin Trudeau and Mark Carney.

[Herman]

[Herman]

Why are taxpayers footing the bill for this?

[Herman]

My country has lost it's mind.