Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scaling back the country's migrant worker programs amid a domestic backlash and tensions with the United States.
The Canadian government is under increasing pressure from the United States to stem the flow of labor migrants across the border by rolling back one of the world's most permissive immigration policies, a Canadian investigative journal reported. Financial Times report.
“US lawmakers are concerned about illegal immigration from Canada and are calling for increased security on the northern border with Canada,” Glenn Cowan, founder and CEO of security firm One9, told the Financial Times. “Stopping these visas would strengthen ties with the US.”
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (David Kawai/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Trudeau's comments come amid a domestic backlash over Canada's guest worker program and mark a reversal of his previous boasts about the openness of the country's immigration system.
But Trudeau, who is trailing in the polls ahead of next year's federal election, told reporters last week: “Various [migration] Going forward, we will work to ensure that Canada remains a country that not only actively supports immigrants, but also takes responsibility for helping them integrate and create a path to success.”
Conservative Leader Pierre Poirierbre argued that Canada must aim to “control population growth” going forward, and accused Trudeau of gutting the country's immigration system.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Andrey Ivanov/AFP via Getty Images)
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According to the report, Trudeau said the new rules would cut the number of low-wage workers Canadian companies can hire by 10 to 20 percent, and he also hinted at broader immigration reforms coming later this year.
But some business leaders worry scaling back the program could choke off the supply of cheap labor to Canadian companies, while others credit it with helping Canada recover from the pandemic-era economic crisis.
But others say the influx of immigrants contributes to higher youth unemployment, rising housing costs and pressure on the country's health care system.
President Biden (left) and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Harris arrive to speak about the administration's efforts to cut costs during an event at Prince George's Community College in Largo, Maryland, Aug. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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Meanwhile, President Biden and Vice President Harris are under increasing pressure in the U.S. to stem the flow of migrants into the U.S. after record numbers of migrants crossed the border between 2021 and 2023. The issue has proven important to voters, who have consistently ranked it among their top concerns, pushing VP Harris to take a tougher stance on immigration ahead of the November election.
Downing Street did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
