Cassandra Fultz with Anthony Furey – StatCan 2024 Report on Immigrants Leaving Canada

Cassandra Fultz in discussion with host Anthony Furey on why so many immigrants to Canada have been leaving to return home or immigrate to another country as outlined in the StatCan report on this issue:

More than 15% of permanent immigrants leave Canada to return to their country of origin or to another country within 20 years of becoming a permanent resident. For newcomers from certain countries such as the United States, France, and Taiwan, the percentage rises to 30%.

Included in the factors for the decision to leave Canada are economic opportunity, housing, family ties, and other issues. The trope of the doctor driving a taxi in Toronto (as discussed in the movie Dr. Cabbie), is well-known. It can take exceptional sacrifice, and sometimes many years for professionals from outside Canada to equivalate their credentials so that they can work in their field after arrival in Canada.

Some of the most common immigrants to leave Canada after becoming permanent residents are parents who have been sponsored to Canada by their children. For some, the social isolation of leaving their communities, especially when there is a language barrier, is too much to overcome at an advanced age. This can lead many sponsored parents to take a trip back home to visit, only to find themselves reluctant to leave resulting in a failure to meet the Canadian PR residency obligation. Once this happens, only an application made on Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds will allow them to return to Canada.