As Costs Rise, Experts Lead Push to Curb Canadian Immigration
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Amid housing shortages and high costs of living, Canadians are turning against high immigration rates, led by experts and commentators making practical arguments rather than populist rabblerousing.
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Polling shows a majority of Canadians support reducing immigration targets to ease economic pressures. The government has started to respond with modest cuts to student visas.
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Powerful interests like universities and businesses still argue for maintaining high immigration, complicating further reforms. Debates happen behind closed doors among elites.
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Populist politicians like Poilievre avoid criticizing immigration targets, failing to capitalize on public opinion. Restrictionist parties have faded.
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Canada's "polite backlash" driven by experts may prove more effective than the theatrical but often hollow populism seen elsewhere.