Immigration

Federal public servants warned the government two years ago that large increases to immigration could affect housing affordability and services, internal documents show. A construction worker is shown at a building site in Ajax, Ont., on Thursday, Nov., 30, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Canada was warned 2 years ago immigration could pump up housing costs

Document reveals federal public servants were well aware of the pressures of high population growth

 

The federal government is changing the financial requirements for international students wishing to study in Canada. (Photo courtesy of UVic)

‘$10,000 a year to $20,635’: Changes coming for international study permits

The increase will be the first of its kind since the early 2000s

 

(pixabay photo)

New Canadians embracing holiday traditions that are brand-new for some

Newcomers exercise restraint in spending, focus on family time this holiday season

 

The Azhar family has finally arrived in the Cowichan Valley after more than four years of efforts by the Mill Bay Baptist Fellowship Church to bring them here. Pictured, from left, is Elisha, Pastor Norm Sowden, Asyia, Azhar Javed, Eshaan, Arish and Pastor Jon Emanuel. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Cold and beautiful: refugee family settles into life on Vancouver Island

Azhar family fled religious persecution in Pakistan to find new home in Cowichan Valley

The Azhar family has finally arrived in the Cowichan Valley after more than four years of efforts by the Mill Bay Baptist Fellowship Church to bring them here. Pictured, from left, is Elisha, Pastor Norm Sowden, Asyia, Azhar Javed, Eshaan, Arish and Pastor Jon Emanuel. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Once a teacher in his native Nigeria, Folu Oloyede is now an early childhood education assistant in Vernon. (Contributed)

‘Stuck’ in Canada, Nigerian man finds purpose in Vernon

3 month visit turns to 3 year separation from family amid pandemic

Once a teacher in his native Nigeria, Folu Oloyede is now an early childhood education assistant in Vernon. (Contributed)
Immigration Minister Marc Miller (THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Feds to level out number of new permanent residents in Canada in 2026

The Liberals have aggressively increased their targets over the past several years

Immigration Minister Marc Miller (THE CANADIAN PRESS)
A for rent sign is displayed on a house in Ottawa on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

British Columbians at higher risk for eviction from rentals

About 1 in 10 B.C. tenants are evicted, nearly twice the national average

A for rent sign is displayed on a house in Ottawa on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Statistics Canada says immigration is almost solely responsible for the largest annual population boom Canada has seen since 1957. Signage marks the Statistics Canada offices in Ottawa on July 21, 2010.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Immigration powers Canada’s largest population jump since 1957

Statistics Canada says country grew by more than a million people in the year ending July 2023

Statistics Canada says immigration is almost solely responsible for the largest annual population boom Canada has seen since 1957. Signage marks the Statistics Canada offices in Ottawa on July 21, 2010.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Marc Miller arrives for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. Miller says the controversial idea to allow new Canadians to take their oath of citizenship with the click of a button is an option worth considering, but there are no immediate plans for implementation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Citizenship at the click of a button still possible: immigration minister

‘You don’t want to take these moments lightly, but we do need technological options’

Marc Miller arrives for a cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. Miller says the controversial idea to allow new Canadians to take their oath of citizenship with the click of a button is an option worth considering, but there are no immediate plans for implementation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says Canada's immigration system is broken, but is sidestepping questions about whether he would touch the current targets. Poilievre speaks at a news conference outside West Block on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Poilievre says Canada’s immigration system broken, sidesteps cut questions

Leader says Conservatives would base immigration policy on the needs of private-sector employers

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says Canada's immigration system is broken, but is sidestepping questions about whether he would touch the current targets. Poilievre speaks at a news conference outside West Block on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Affordability continued to be a huge issue in Victoria’s housing environment in 2022, according to the city’s annual review. (Courtesy of the City of Victoria)

Victoria newcomers come for better way of life, but find discrimination

Newcomers offer blunt assessment of life here

  • Jul 30, 2023
Affordability continued to be a huge issue in Victoria’s housing environment in 2022, according to the city’s annual review. (Courtesy of the City of Victoria)
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser arrives to a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday, June 13, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

As immigration debate rages on, new report makes case for more newcomers

Without newcomers, Canada expected to struggle to maintain the old-age dependency ratio

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser arrives to a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday, June 13, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Sean Fraser makes an announcement at the Cafe Ukraine in Ottawa on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Ottawa unveils pathway to permanent residency for Ukrainians who have fled to Canada

It comes the same day a program offering temporary emergency visas formally closed

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Sean Fraser makes an announcement at the Cafe Ukraine in Ottawa on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
The latest census figures show an increase in the number of visible minorities in Greater Victoria, but the number is still far below the national average. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Census shows sharp increase in visible minorities in Greater Victoria

The 16.7% of the population who identify as a visible minority less than half the B.C. average

The latest census figures show an increase in the number of visible minorities in Greater Victoria, but the number is still far below the national average. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
B.C.’s Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth has approved a one-time, three-month extension to continue holding immigration detainees in B.C. provincial custody. (Black Press Media File)

B.C. to continue holding immigration detainees with 3-month extension

Detainees will be transferred to CBSA custody starting Nov. 1, 2023

B.C.’s Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth has approved a one-time, three-month extension to continue holding immigration detainees in B.C. provincial custody. (Black Press Media File)
Photo: Mark Brett, Penticton Herald/Local Journalism Initiative Hardeep Singh Chahal holding daughter Keerat Kaur, his wife Kamaldeep Kaur and daughter with good friend Pierre Levesque Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at the Penticton Sikh Temple.

Happy ending for Penticton family who feared deportation

The family has been invited to reapply for their cancelled work visas

Photo: Mark Brett, Penticton Herald/Local Journalism Initiative Hardeep Singh Chahal holding daughter Keerat Kaur, his wife Kamaldeep Kaur and daughter with good friend Pierre Levesque Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at the Penticton Sikh Temple.
FILE - In this April 25, 2019 file photo, Anna Sorokin, who claimed to be a German heiress, sits at the defense table during jury deliberations in her trial at New York State Supreme Court, in New York. Sorokin, who is currently under house arrest in New York, has a new podcast, “The Anna Delvey Show.” (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

Under house arrest, fake heiress Anna ‘Delvey’ Sorokin launches podcast to rehab public image

She wants to reimagine her public image to shake her reputation of being a con artist and a scammer.

FILE - In this April 25, 2019 file photo, Anna Sorokin, who claimed to be a German heiress, sits at the defense table during jury deliberations in her trial at New York State Supreme Court, in New York. Sorokin, who is currently under house arrest in New York, has a new podcast, “The Anna Delvey Show.” (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
Three-year-old Deerat Kaur Chahal enjoys some time at Skaha Park. Her family and her are being deported if a reprieve isn’t given. (Mark Brett / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter)

Okanagan MP, community rallies to keep young family from being deported

Hardeep Singh Chahal, his pregnant wife Kamaldeep Kaur and daughter want to stay in Penticton

Three-year-old Deerat Kaur Chahal enjoys some time at Skaha Park. Her family and her are being deported if a reprieve isn’t given. (Mark Brett / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter)
The Canada sign in Victoria’s Inner Harbour is pictured in early 2023. The provincial government will up support for temporary residents starting in 2024 as B.C.’s demographics continue to change. (Black Press Media file photo)

Provincial government boosts supports for newcomers to B.C.

Funding for provincial settlement services goes up to $25.6 million from $6 million in 2024

The Canada sign in Victoria’s Inner Harbour is pictured in early 2023. The provincial government will up support for temporary residents starting in 2024 as B.C.’s demographics continue to change. (Black Press Media file photo)
Searchers look for victims Friday, March 31, 2023, after a boat capsized and left eight people dead in Akwesasne, Que. Authorities investigating the disappearance of an Akwesasne man whose boat was found near the bodies of eight migrants pulled from the St. Lawrence River say he was connected to the case. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Search suspended for man linked to dead migrants, police say efforts exhausted

Authorities have said the area’s geography makes it a popular spot for human smugglers

Searchers look for victims Friday, March 31, 2023, after a boat capsized and left eight people dead in Akwesasne, Que. Authorities investigating the disappearance of an Akwesasne man whose boat was found near the bodies of eight migrants pulled from the St. Lawrence River say he was connected to the case. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz