In a resolute stance against mounting opposition, Canada, under the leadership of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has chosen to maintain its existing elevated levels of immigration. The decision entails the welcoming of approximately 500,000 new permanent residents on an annual basis.
Trudeau’s administration had come under substantial pressure to curtail these immigration targets, as public opinion surveys indicated a growing sentiment among Canadians that the current immigration intake is overly excessive. Nonetheless, the Minister of Immigration, Marc Miller, recently declared in a press briefing that the government remains unwavering in its course of action. He underscored that sustaining immigration at its current rate is imperative for seamless integration and the preservation of a sustainable demographic growth.
A survey conducted by the Environics Institute unveiled a stark shift in public opinion, with 44% of Canadians deeming immigration to be “excessive” in comparison to 51% who disagreed. This marks a significant transformation from the previous year when only 27% held such views, contrasting with a peak of 69% in favor. Minister Miller emphasized that the stability of immigration at present levels will enable the government to address pressing labor shortages, particularly in the construction sector, and cater to the housing and healthcare requirements of incoming migrants.
In parallel news, Dr. Jagdeep Singh Bachher, a prominent finance expert of Punjabi origin, has been appointed as the chancellor of the esteemed University of Waterloo. The University of Waterloo, often likened to the “Stanford of Canada,” is renowned for its academic distinction and inventive prowess. Dr. Bachher’s selection mirrors his remarkable academic journey and contributions to the realm of investments.
Dr. Bachher, currently serving as the Chief Investment Officer and Vice President of Investments at the University of California, presides over a substantial investment portfolio totaling $164 billion across ten campuses.
Dr. Bachher’s personal connection to the University of Waterloo, his alma mater, where he pursued degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Management Sciences, is a testament to his passion for education, inspired by his parents who devoted over six decades to teaching in India, Nigeria, and Canada.
