Close Reading

Canada has changed significantly in recent years, and I believe our post-COVID immigration policies have played a major role in the challenges we’re facing today. Here’s how things went off track: Many individuals who couldn’t pass the IELTS (English proficiency test) entered the country on visitor visas or through spousal sponsorships—some of which were questionable or fraudulent. During that time, the government was converting visitor visas into work permits with little to no scrutiny. Background checks and rejections were rare. Meanwhile, colleges rapidly expanded their intake capacity—understandably so, since international students pay three to four times more in tuition. At the same time, due to inflationary pressures, the government allowed international students to work 40 hours per week instead of the previous 20-hour limit. This created a new, ready-to-work labor force in just a year or two, heavily impacting the retail sector. As a result, a large portion of retail jobs shifted toward a single ethnic group, while many Canadian citizens found themselves sidelined. One key factor was flexibility. Many immigrant communities—particularly Indian—were more willing to accept irregular hours and last-minute shifts, often adopting a more compliant, “yes sir” attitude that employers found appealing. However, I’m already beginning to notice changes in the retail landscape, likely due to the government finally tightening immigration rules. Going forward, we don’t need to close our doors—but we do need smarter immigration policies, with proper checks and balances, to ensure fairness and sustainability for everyone.

I’m a recent Indian immigrant and I’ve lived in Singapore, Malaysia, the USA, and now Canada. I’ll admit that a lot of what’s said here is true: there are far too many cases where Indians abroad show a lack of civic sense, break rules, or behave in ways that don’t respect the host country.  Personally, my family and I have always assimilated wherever we’ve lived, respecting local customs, following rules, and contributing positively to the community and I hate it when immigrants don't assimilate into the local culture and reside in their own enclaves, I mean what was the point of emigrating then?? I truly value the peace and order these countries offer, and I want to give that back. Every community has good and bad examples. The responsibility is on us as immigrants to lead by example, integrate genuinely, and show that we can be respectful, responsible citizens. That’s how perceptions change for the better. It sucks that a whole racial group can be disliked because of some bad apples — and in our case, unfortunately, there are quite a few.

@AbhiandNiyu : I’m a Canadian citizen of Indian descent. I agree with the issues you have highlighted but I disagree with the narrative you have presented. Here are my reasons why - \n\n1. Canada has always been a peaceful, prosperous, progressive and a good governance oriented nation. In the recent decade, too much of woke, radical left wing ideology has penetrated into policy and public institutions that have led to Canada’s current day crisis. \n\n2. This country has always welcomed talented immigrants who are willing to integrate with the Canadian society, embrace its values, traditions and culture. However, in the last 10 years, too many refugees and reckless mass immigration has put an incredible pressure on the economy, infrastructure and social cohesion. \n\n3. The political leadership has allowed reckless mass immigration without caring to boost the economy/infrastructure to handle the volume and hence the sorry state of affairs. \n\n4. Too many immigration consultants of Indian origin engage in outright VISA frauds (yes, this is unfortunately true) leading to ppl coming in as a tourist and then seeking asylum or converting their visa into a student visa (55 year olds from Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat coming here as students).\n\n5. A significant chunk of people coming from India (esp. Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat) seeking a permanent residency in Canada are using student visas as a back door to claim eligibility for PR/citizenship. This is downright abusive and was never intended to be used like this. This has fueled a fake college diploma industry into Canada where “2-room” colleges have sprung up along the highways giving out fake diplomas and certifications for easy cash. Thus, the students, the immigration consultants and the fake diploma issuing colleges are all getting benefited from this scam. The internet is filled with such sting operations by Canadian officials exposing Indian students/immigration consultants. Do check them out. \n\n6. Unlike the past, the recent batch of immigrants in the last 3 years or so, make no effort at all to integrate into Canadian society and abuse the system, create law and order problem, drive recklessly, talk loudly in public spaces, litter everywhere, cross railway tracks like they do in India, steal liquor from stores, shamelessly collect food from food banks (as a way to save on groceries) that are meant for the elderly, disabled or those that are in utter poverty. It wasn’t like this ever before. In cities like Mississauga, Brampton and Surrey, the Khalistan movement + gangs involved in theft, drugs and human trafficking are from Punjab/Haryana and they have mushroomed here like crazy. A good 30-40% criminals in prison or on bail in these cities are of India ethnicity. \n\nIt is behaviours like these by Indians in the recent few years that has thoroughly infuriated native Canadians and now they hate the rest of us that have lived here peacefully and have been good citizens. There is a very serious, very real anti-immigrant (anti-Indian too) sentiment building up here. \n\n7. Lastly, the student protests that you have highlighted here is absolutely ridiculous! These students from India came to Canada under a student visa knowing fully well that they are supposed to go back after the completion of their studies, and now they are DEMANDING that they be issued extensions in work permits and be considered for PR. This is insane! This is because they never intended to return to India in the first place and were abusing the system as a back door entry. They are threatening to go on hunger strikes and what not. Legally, on a student visa, they are NOT allowed to participate in any sort of activism. \n\nNOBODY that comes to our country on a temporary visa (student, tourist etc.) has the right to dictate terms to us and demand that we change our immigration policies based on their preferences. No, that will not happen. \n\nCanada, like every country, has the sole right and privilege to decide who gets to become a permanent resident or a citizen based on our national priorities and strategic interests. I see nothing wrong in this principle.\n\nThanks for the video and I hope you will consider the other side of this argument as well. Canada alone is NOT at fault here. Immigrants and temporary visitors from India have some soul searching to do as well.