Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney has criticized Canada’s recent immigration policies, stating the country failed to live up to its values by admitting more people than it could support. Speaking at an Ottawa event organized by Cardus, a Christian think tank, Carney argued that newcomers were let down due to insufficient housing, healthcare, and social services.
Carney, who is currently a special adviser to the Liberal Party, highlighted the challenges arising from an influx of workers and students without adequate infrastructure to accommodate them. His remarks come amid a shift in federal immigration policy, as the Liberal government recently announced a plan to significantly reduce immigration targets for both permanent and temporary residents.
This policy adjustment follows a period of rapid population growth that drew widespread criticism of the government’s immigration strategy. Statistics Canada reported a 3% population increase by July 1 compared to the previous year—double the annual growth rates seen between 1998 and 2018, which were below 1.5%.
The revised targets aim to stabilize population trends, with estimates projecting a slight 0.2% decline in 2025 and 2026 before growth resumes at 0.8% in 2027. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has admitted the government failed to strike the right balance in immigration management post-COVID-19.
Carney attributed part of the problem to pandemic-era decisions, stating that Canada eased immigration rules to address labour shortages but lost focus in the process. He also criticized provinces for underfunding higher education, which led universities to rely heavily on foreign students for revenue.
“Do we value higher education in this country or not? If we do, maybe we should start funding our universities,” Carney said, emphasizing that the over-reliance on foreign students stems from provincial policies that financially strain academic institutions.
As Canada recalibrates its immigration policies, Carney’s comments underline the importance of ensuring that future strategies align with the country’s values and capacity to support newcomers effectively.