According to government data obtained by Reuters, Canada is increasingly closing its doors to more tourists and temporary residents, reducing the number of approved visas and rejecting more people arriving at the border with official documents.
Canada has escalated its efforts to turn away foreign travelers, with Prime Minister Trudeau’s government falling behind in polls ahead of next year’s election, trying to decrease the numbers of temporary residents and permanent immigrants. The increase in immigration has long been seen as a contributing factor to Canada’s housing shortage and high property prices.
While Canadians have prided themselves on embracing new immigrants, polls show that more and more people are feeling that Canada has accepted too many immigrants. Observers note that this growing sentiment is impacting border and immigration officials.
Previously unreported border agency data reveals that in July, Canada turned away 5,853 foreign travelers from entering, with these individuals being “allowed to leave” according to Canadian authorities, including students, workers, and tourists. This marks the highest number of entry refusals since at least January 2019.
In the first seven months of 2024, border officials have been denying an average of 3,727 foreign travelers per month, an increase of 633 compared to the same period last year, representing a 20% surge.
Additionally, border agency data shows that in July, 285 visa holders were deemed inadmissible, marking the highest monthly figure since at least January 2019. A spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) indicated that this change could be attributed to shifts in immigration patterns or policies, with decisions being made on a case-by-case basis. The CBSA did not specify any specific policy changes.
“The role, policies, and practices of the CBSA have always involved assessing the admissibility of individuals seeking to enter Canada. That has not changed,” the spokesperson stated.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Immigration Department is reducing the number of approved visas.
In June, the ratio of travel visa applications denied to those approved was higher than at any point since the peak of the pandemic. Data from the immigration office shows that in January, February, May, and June of 2024, there were more visa rejections than approvals.
The number of approved study and work permits to come to Canada has also decreased from the peaks seen in 2023 and 2022.
Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller stated in August that “Canadians want a system that is not out of control.”
Miller’s spokesperson mentioned that the Immigration Department is “committed to fair, non-discriminatory enforcement of immigration policies and procedures,” attributing the decline in study permit approvals to the limits announced in January. However, this decline had already begun last year.
Eight lawyers informed Reuters that they had heard from clients that there has been increased scrutiny on visa holders at airports and land border crossings.
Lawyer Will Tao from British Columbia reported having six clients who entered with visas, but border officials doubted their plans to stay in Canada, suggesting they voluntarily leave or face possible deportation. Some did leave, but they were unsure of the implications on their visas or travel permits.
Tao believes that the increased skepticism from border officials is a result of a “180-degree” shift in the government’s stance on immigration issues.
He added that the notion that foreigners entering Canada without meeting the requirements could pose a threat to the country is being communicated from Canadian officials at the top down to frontline officers.