Re: Refugee influx part of region’s housing problem (Letters, Oak Bay News, July 6)
Mr. Filan says our housing problem is fueled in large part by a massive in migration to our city and a misguided belief by some that anyone who wants to move here is entitled to a home. He also says that the housing problem is undermined by Ottawa’s immigration policies and practices.
Immigration has undoubtedly always been accompanied by the challenges of absorbing new arrivals to a community. However, I believe that supporting immigration is not only the right thing to do and that diversity is a community strength, but, as a recent Globe and Mail article by Clément Gignac articulates, there are other benefits as well. More than 50 per cent of Canadian immigrants are highly educated, putting Canada at the top among the OECD countries. As well, a significant number of the almost 100,000 foreign students visiting Canada each year decide to stay after getting a degree from one of our world-class universities (McGill, University of Toronto, UBC, etc.). Canada’s strong economic performance since 2008 is explained by many factors, including well-capitalized banks, massive public infrastructure spending – and a strong influx of immigrants. Without this immigration flow, Canada’s population aged between 20 and 44 years old would be declining. That cohort, which constitutes most of the labour force, is the one that …. pays the greater part of taxation revenue. Without immigration, Canada’s natural population growth would not be enough to sustain economic growth and welfare. Canadians need immigration just as much as immigrants need a destination such as Canada. Immigration … is most likely the key to Canada’s prosperity. (Clément Gignac is vice-chairman of the World Economic Forum Council on Competitiveness and a former cabinet minister in the Quebec government. Special to The Globe and Mail, Oct. 7, 2013 Updated May 11, 2018.)
Jennie Preuss
Oak Bay