Liberty Case

Toronto, Canada (DT) — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday that Canada will significantly reduce the number of new immigrants it allows into the country after acknowledging that his government failed to get the balance right coming out of the pandemic.

Trudeau’s Liberal government was criticized for its plan to allow 500,000 new permanent residents into the country in each of the next two years. On Thursday, he said next year’s target will now be 395,000 new permanent residents and that the figure will drop to 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027.

“In the tumultuous times as we emerged from the pandemic, between addressing labor needs and maintaining population growth, we didn’t get the balance right,” Trudeau said.

“Immigration is essential for Canada’s future, but it must be controlled and it must be sustainable.”

Trudeau, who is facing calls from within his own party not to seek a fourth term, has endured mounting criticism over his immigration policies and the negative impact that population growth has had on housing affordability.

He said his government will reduce the number of immigrants Canada brings in over the next three years, and that this will freeze population growth over the next two years. Canada reached 41 million people in April. The population was 37.5 million in 2019.

“Even Justin Trudeau wants to close Canada’s Borders,” Donald Trump wrote Thursday on social media while arguing for tougher border measures in the U.S.

Trudeau said Canada needs to stabilize its population growth to allow all levels of government to make necessary changes to health care, housing and social services so that it can accommodate more people in the future.

“Far too many corporations have chosen to abuse our temporary measures, exploiting foreign workers while refusing to hire Canadians for a fair wage,” Trudeau said. “All while under the watch of provinces, some colleges and universities are bringing in more international students than communities can accommodate, treating them as an expendable means to line their own pockets. That’s unacceptable, and it needs to change.”

Immigration Minister Marc Miller said the lower immigration numbers will help with the country’s housing shortage.

He also acknowledged the change in public opinion about immigration.

“That volume that we have put forward is of concern,” Miller said.

Miller said the government sees the pressures facing Canadians, and that it must adapt its policies accordingly.

“We are an open country, but not everyone can come to this country,” he said, noting that Canada will continue to welcome outsiders and that the government’s immigration targets remain ambitious.

Trudeau’s government has long touted Canada’s immigration policy and how Canada is better than peer countries in welcoming newcomers and integrating them into the economy.

Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the opposition Conservative Party, accused Trudeau of destroying the national consensus on immigration.

“He has destroyed our immigration system through his own personal incompetence and destroyed 150 years of common sense consensus with the Liberals and Conservatives on that subject,” Poilievre said.

“He cannot fix what he broke on immigration and housing or anything else because he is busy fighting his own caucus,” he added.

Poilievre was referring to calls by some lawmakers from Trudeau’s own party to not run for a fourth term. Those calls represent one of the biggest tests of Trudeau’s political career, but he said Thursday that he intends to stay on through the next election.

Nelson Wiseman, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Toronto, said the Trudeau government messed up badly on immigration.

“The government’s logic — to grow the economy and sustain an aging Canadian population by bringing in more young immigrants — was sound. But Ottawa has little control over meeting the housing, health, education, and other welfare needs of residents, whether they are citizens or immigrants,” Wiseman said.

“These are all provincial government responsibilities, and there was little cooperation or coordination between the two levels of government,” he said.

A certain percentage of Canadians have always been xenophobic, but much less so than in some other countries, Wiseman said.

“Many Canadians have turned against the recent growing immigrant and temporary worker/student influx because of the growing housing, health, education, and other welfare challenges. Ottawa has read the polls and is responding accordingly,” he said.

SOURCE : AP |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Moscow/Kazan, Russia (DT) – The BRICS nations on Wednesday condemned Israel’s bombings of Lebanese territory and humanitarian centers in Gaza, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in both regions.

In its final declaration at the Kazan summit in Russia, the bloc also warned of the global risks posed by escalating tensions.

“We stress the urgent need for an immediate comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and detainees from both sides who are being held illegally, and the unimpeded, sustained and large-scale flow of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip, as well as an end to all aggressive actions,” said the declaration.

The bloc condemned the deaths of civilians and the massive damage caused to civilian infrastructure due to Israeli attacks in Lebanon.

The BRICS call for an “immediate” end to hostilities in both Gaza and Lebanon.

The joint statement warned that further escalation of the conflict in the Gaza Strip threatens to increase tensions, extremism, and extremely damaging consequences at the regional and global levels.

The nine BRICS members — Russia, China, Brazil, India, South Africa, along with Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Ethiopia — also condemned attacks on UN personnel and “threats to their security,” calling on Israel to immediately cease such actions.

The BRICS countries denounced the bombing of the Iranian embassy in Damascus last April and a recent “terrorist attack” involving Israeli actions in Beirut. “These actions constitute a serious violation of international law,” the statement added.

The Kazan Declaration was adopted following two meetings, one in a reduced format and another in an expanded format, which lasted over four hours.

Prior to the summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with leaders of the group’s founding countries, and further meetings were held with other attending leaders, including those from Venezuela and Turkey.

SOURCE : EFE |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |