TORONTO: Canada is closing its doors to more visitors and temporary residents by approving fewer visas and turning away more people arriving at its borders with official documents, according to government data obtained by Reuters.
The rise in turnaways for foreign travellers comes as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government, which is trailing in the polls ahead of an election due next year, is trying to reduce the number of temporary residents (and possibly permanent immigrants). Immigrants have been blamed for housing shortages and high prices.
Canadians pride themselves on welcoming newcomers, but polls show a growing number of them believe Canada is admitting “too many immigrants.” Observers say that stance is filtering through to border and immigration officials.
In July, Canada denied entry to 5,853 foreign travellers — who were “allowed to leave,” as Canada says, and who include students, workers and tourists — the most since at least January 2019, according to previously unreported border agency data.
Border agents turned away an average of 3,727 foreign travelers per month during the first seven months of 2024, an increase of 633 people or 20% from the previous year.
Separately, officials deemed 285 visa holders inadmissible in July, also the most in any month since at least January 2019, the data showed.
At the same time, Canada's Immigration Department is approving fewer visas.
In June, the proportion of visitor visa applications rejected compared to those approved was higher than at any time since the height of the pandemic. In January, February, May and June 2024, more applications were rejected than approved, according to data from the Department of Immigration.
Miller's spokesman said the immigration department was “committed to fair and non-discriminatory enforcement of immigration policy and procedures” and attributed the drop in study permit approvals to a cap announced in January. However, the decline appears to have started last year.
Eight lawyers said Reuters They have heard from their clients about increased scrutiny of visa holders at airports and land border crossings.
