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As a Canada who speaks both French and English and who follows politics quite closely, I have to say that the headline and some of the reporting here is quite misleading. A reduction in immigration has broad support across Canada. I wouldn't say that notion is dividing the country in any significant way. You do have certain industry groups that disagree, but among the population these reductions have broad support. This is a historic change in public opinion in Canada, but it has been driven by the unprecedented increase in immigration under the last term of the Trudeau government. To put this in context, non-permanent residents in Canada numbered around 1.5 million on Q3 2023, but by Q3 2025, that number sat a just over 3 million. The previous government increased immigration targets by 3 or 4 times over what they had been for years, which caused a number of economic issues. Essentially, the volume was simply too high for the economy and society to support. This was unfair to both Canadians and new comers, many of which could not find employment or afford a decent place to live. The changes being suggested are largely bringing Canada back to what the targets were for over a decade before, though a bit lower to account for the sudden surge. Canada remains one of the most pro-immigration countries in the world. However, and this is where I think DW's reporting is misleading, there is a distinction to be made between policies at the federal level and policies at the provincial level. Immigration, per our constitution, is a federal matter, however, Quebec in particular is distinct from other provinces. I don't mean only culturally and linguistically, but also in the powers that have been devolved to it by the federal government. On the question of immigration, Quebec has more powers and more ability to set its immigration targets and programs than any of the other 9 provinces. The particular program discussed here, the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), is a particular immigration stream that only existed in Quebec. So what is happening with that program cannot be labeled as a whole-of-Canada thing. Where the changes to the PEQ are controversial, unlike the general changes at the federal level, is that people who immigrated under that specific program were promised certain things. There was a multi-year time line to Permanent Residency and then Citizenship. Many of those people have been in Quebec for 5-8 years already. However, the changes made to the program were done in such a way where people who many years into the program, had gotten an education, started a career, had children, ect. are now being told they can't continue and must leave Canada. There are even stories of people who married Canadians, now have children, and the one parent who was under this program now faces the possibility of having to leave Canada and be separated from their family. All through no fault of their own. That is what many people see as unfair, and I agree, however limiting future applications under the program, to bring in less people, that is not controversial. Canada has no responsibility to bring in people who are not already in Canada, but Canada does have some responsibility towards people who uprooted their lives to move to Canada and built new lives here based on promises and representations made to them by the Canadian and Quebecois governments. We should no simply kick those people out of the country.

😂 I love how these people accuse European settlers for killing the natives and conquering the land without even realising that without them Canada wouldn't even exist. Do you really think those Native tribes have the capability to create the advance infrastructure that we see today in Canada?? These people also complain about the wrong doings of the Europeans but have no shame in taking benefits this country provides which is not available in their native countries.

Canada wouldn’t even exist if it weren’t for America, they’re not self sufficient. Cut off the child support and make them the 51st state.

The Mexican President CLAUDIA SHEINBAUM writes to Trump and Musk on behalf of THE REST OF THE WORLD:\n\nSo, you voted to build a wall… Well then, my dear Americans, even if you don’t know much about geography—after all, for you, “America” is your country and not an entire continent—it’s important that before you lay the first stone, you know what you’re locking out with this wall.\n\nOutside, there are 7 billion people; but since the concept of “people” doesn’t seem to interest you much, let’s call them consumers instead.\n\nThere are 7 billion consumers ready to replace the iPhone with a Samsung or Huawei within 42 hours. They can also swap Levi’s for Zara or Massimo Dutti.\n\nQuite comfortably, within six months, we can stop buying Ford or Chevrolet vehicles and switch to Toyota, KIA, Mazda, Honda, Hyundai, Volvo, Subaru, Renault, or BMW, which are technically far superior.\n\nThese 7 billion people could also cancel their Direct TV subscriptions and—even if we wouldn’t like it—stop watching Hollywood movies, opting instead for Latin American or European productions, which are superior in quality, content, and cinematography.\n\nAs incredible as it may sound, we can stop traveling to Disney and instead visit Xcaret in Cancún, Mexico, Canada, or Europe—there are many incredible destinations in South America, Asia, and Europe.\n\nAnd believe it or not: There are even better burgers in Mexico than McDonald’s—with higher nutritional value.\n\nHas anyone ever seen a pyramid in the United States? In Egypt, Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, Sudan, and many other countries, there are pyramids with fascinating cultures. Take a look at where the wonders of the ancient and modern world are located… None of them are in the U.S. Too bad for Trump—otherwise, he would have bought and resold them!\n\nWe know that Adidas exists, not just Nike, and we can start consuming Mexican sneakers like Panam.\n\nWe know far more than you think; for example, we know that if these 7 billion consumers stop buying your products, unemployment will rise, and your economy will collapse so severely within your racist wall that you’ll beg us to tear it down. We didn’t want anything, but… You wanted a wall? Then you’ll get a wall.\n\nSincerely, \nTHE REST OF THE WORLD. \n\nPlease forward this message to 12 people. If you don’t, nothing will happen—except that many people won’t learn about these realities. \n\nCLAUDIA SHEINBAUM \nPRESIDENT OF MEXICO

Idk i think you need to realize that we also have our bias in addition to you having yours. Meaning, to most of us , excepting the most left leaning socially progressive pockets and contexts , which even then wouldn’t be viewed that way to us just acceptable lol ?\n\nOur baseline/political middle in Canada is A LOT more left leaning than the baseline normal/political middle in the states. So while people tend to equate your democrats to our liberals or our NDP , and equate your republicans to our conservatives. It’s just not accurate. If you throw our span of parties and American span of parties on the SAME spectrum /polarity line. You might be surprised to realize how shifted left our systems range politically is from the American one. \n\nThis hugely impacts the average normal expectation , what we clutch our pearls at hearing coming out of the mouths of the general public , and our range of what we expect to not hear or see ranted about unless they’re to our view , extremely right leaning politically /social values. \n\nFor us this means that actually genuinely , a lot of America does get experiences by us as bat shit crazy racist homophobic immigrant intolerant culturally and religiously ignorant , and somewhat backwards in larger or smaller amounts ? I know that’s not fun to hear but. Being the most diverse country based so much on immigration means. What is normal and known /familiar and normal so we aren’t ignorant to , is completely different. \n\nFor us we have our pockets usually in more rural less populated areas further away from larger cities where there is more diversity but that’s the same often in many countries that you will find some of the louder racist homophobic intolerant voices typically in places that truly are unfamiliar and ignorant to the experience of growing up with and around much of any diversity of varying kinds. So it’s not to say we don’t have racism and intolerance of course like anywhere we do. It’s just contained and the range and frequency and intensity is MUCH different. We distinguish nuances of diff cultures and religions more easily and in larger numbers we’re more familiar with diff ways of life , language , food, dress , holidays , values and used to a much less segregated way of existing even when we are differnt from each other as the NORM. My parents were both born in the states and my older brother was born there but they moved up here when he was a baby. So nearly all my extended family lives down there and I’m a duelly. And my experiences discussing things with my cousins or visiting absolutely could be described as culture shock at times. The insane things that came out of my own cousins mouths when they hear our friends or partners of various cultures , our not understanding how big a deal and incredibly insulting apparently it is to have assumed someone American was lgbt lol the list goes on. Like I don’t think our most intolerant Pockets can hold a flame to even ur closet to middle a bit intolerant places and contexts in America. Quite honestly. \n\nI think the absolute undying favourable passionate upholding and support of nationalistic, capitalist, hyper individualistic mentality about society as a whole (from my Canadian born and bred perspective lol) makes the differences even more glaring blaring and hard to swallow for us lol. I think more Canadians would feel exactly how that comment stated , that you felt was not fair for us to experience America as. I think the truth is a lot of Canadians are being too polite to let you know that’s exactly how a lot of America comes off to a lot of Canada ?

Toronto resident here. I do agree with everything that Alina pointed out. Those thing exist. But the only REAL problem is the high cost of rent. It now equals and even surpasses the cost of a mortgage. If the rent problem were resolved, and they can do this by simply building more housing (which they are now starting to do - with government programs and incentives), then most of these problems Alina reported on would recede or disappear completely. \n\nAlso, the homelessness is not visually worse than anywhere else I've visited. Homeless encampments are visible in every city I've been too. However, in Toronto, a LOT of homeless people come from other parts of Canada. \n\nThe violence that Alina referred to was just a snapshot in time. She made her video around 4 months ago, and at that time there were several truly shocking incidents on the subway (which even made international news). Those incidents have not continued. The subway system, and Toronto, is still a very, very safe city. We are the third largest city in North America, after LA and NYC, and we had something like 50 homicides last year. Chicago has like 500. Just by way of example. \n\nI love Toronto, even though it is very expensive to pay rent here. But there is so much to offer that I wouldn't consider living somewhere else. Not a chance. It's great that you can live somewhere else if you work remotely, but when you're not working, what do you do?...Toronto is safe, clean (except in tourist season), with limitless opportunities for career and lifestyle. Wouldn't live anywhere else.

I think you ladies are way out in left field and you really don't know what you're talkin about. Unfortunately for some people it doesn't work out for whatever reason usually because they do not want to assimilate very well. I grew up in Ontario to a french-canadian father and an Italian mother in my life in Canada was so perfect said if I had to dream up a better life I could not have done so. I grew up playing all the sports and enjoyed all the different sports and the changes of seasons. My parents had a summer home on the st-lawrence river and every summer we water-ski swam fished, play golf in the morning and barbecues every night right on the water. Even though my grandfather was in the hotel business I was all about sports and enjoying everything about it. I grew up in a town of about 50 thousand about 40 miles from Montreal. When I wanted some great nightlife just drove a short drive to Montreal and it had everything did anyone could want in Nightlife. I have lived in United States for forty years and I can tell you that it really isn't all that it's cracked up to be. Heaven forbid should you get some kind of catastrophic illness you are screwed. I knew a woman who work for travelers insurance for 30 years at the best insurance a money could buy had suffered a couple of strokes and was on the verge of going broke had she not died when she died. People think that insurance continues to pay his long as you're ill and nothing could be further from the truth. This lady was going to have to sell her house to continue paying for round-the-clock care had she not died when she did. United States middle class is getting wiped out. I've seen enough poverty and hardship in this country to last a lifetime. I find greed to be running rampant in this country. When I grew up in Canada there was always the grass is greener on the other side and when I did move over to the other side the US that is I can tell you unequivocally the dead grass is not greener on the other side. There are more millions and millions of people here that are one or two paychecks away from being homeless. And we're talkin 2023. Now let's talk about violence. There is a mass murder in the United States every single day of the year. And a mass murder is defined by four or more people being killed by one person at one time. Killing these so out of control in the United States that now even six-year-olds are shooting their teacher. I find a tremendous amount of built-up Anger from people. Food is very expensive and shelter is also out of control and non affordable to most people. Again I find United States being able to paint a much Rosier picture then does really exist. And there are more con artists and thieves , Crooks, con-artists, bamboozlers, cheats and scammers then anywhere that I've ever been. And I will say this is it it ain't getting any better and I don't see it ever getting better. I find it is everybody out for themselves no matter who they cheat. I live in Southern California and I can tell you that night life where I live is non-existent. Understand that LA and Hollywood they always have to glamorize everything to sell it to tourists. Just remember that things today are not what they were 40 years ago. Middle-class people in Canada would also be just middle-class people in the US. But if your life means anything to you as far as safety and raising a family then Canada wins hands down end of discussion. People that say Canada is boring is because they are boring. That's what I found to be pretty standard across the board. Life is what you make of it. But I will say that you gals definitely need to move away if you don't like Canada. Do not let the door hit your ass on the way out. And just for your information Canada ranks annually as one of the top countries in the world to immigrate to. Canada is the second largest country in the world by land area and next to Saudi Arabia has the third largest oil Reserves in the world. Canada has huge amount of freshwater which most of the rest of the world seems to be lacking and having spent my Summers on the Saint Lawrence River one of the Great Rivers in this world. I wouldn't change my twenty years in Canada for anyplace else in this world and I will be moving back shortly.

Wow that was sleazy of Trudeau to do! He first tweets a welcome to everyone, then back-peddles. It's almost as if he planned it that way with Trump. Scare a bunch of people to go to Canada who may not have otherwise checked in in the US, only to deport them. Makes no sense if that court program in the US had a success rate of over 95% of people showing up to immigration court. I feel lucky to have been born where I've been born. If it weren't for WWII, I wouldn't even exist here, as me.