Toxicity Scores & Embeddings

As a Canada who speaks both French and English and who follows politics quite closely, I have to say that the headline and some of the reporting here is quite misleading. A reduction in immigration has broad support across Canada. I wouldn't say that notion is dividing the country in any significant way. You do have certain industry groups that disagree, but among the population these reductions have broad support. This is a historic change in public opinion in Canada, but it has been driven by the unprecedented increase in immigration under the last term of the Trudeau government. To put this in context, non-permanent residents in Canada numbered around 1.5 million on Q3 2023, but by Q3 2025, that number sat a just over 3 million. The previous government increased immigration targets by 3 or 4 times over what they had been for years, which caused a number of economic issues. Essentially, the volume was simply too high for the economy and society to support. This was unfair to both Canadians and new comers, many of which could not find employment or afford a decent place to live. The changes being suggested are largely bringing Canada back to what the targets were for over a decade before, though a bit lower to account for the sudden surge. Canada remains one of the most pro-immigration countries in the world. However, and this is where I think DW's reporting is misleading, there is a distinction to be made between policies at the federal level and policies at the provincial level. Immigration, per our constitution, is a federal matter, however, Quebec in particular is distinct from other provinces. I don't mean only culturally and linguistically, but also in the powers that have been devolved to it by the federal government. On the question of immigration, Quebec has more powers and more ability to set its immigration targets and programs than any of the other 9 provinces. The particular program discussed here, the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), is a particular immigration stream that only existed in Quebec. So what is happening with that program cannot be labeled as a whole-of-Canada thing. Where the changes to the PEQ are controversial, unlike the general changes at the federal level, is that people who immigrated under that specific program were promised certain things. There was a multi-year time line to Permanent Residency and then Citizenship. Many of those people have been in Quebec for 5-8 years already. However, the changes made to the program were done in such a way where people who many years into the program, had gotten an education, started a career, had children, ect. are now being told they can't continue and must leave Canada. There are even stories of people who married Canadians, now have children, and the one parent who was under this program now faces the possibility of having to leave Canada and be separated from their family. All through no fault of their own. That is what many people see as unfair, and I agree, however limiting future applications under the program, to bring in less people, that is not controversial. Canada has no responsibility to bring in people who are not already in Canada, but Canada does have some responsibility towards people who uprooted their lives to move to Canada and built new lives here based on promises and representations made to them by the Canadian and Quebecois governments. We should no simply kick those people out of the country.

Why the goverment think is illegal immigrant is doing crime in Canada theirs Also citizen doing crime too a lots of illegal immigrant they goes to school Worked o help their family in their country They have no time to commit crime they brought in so much refugees in Canada some of them lied just to come Canadian goverment. Dosen looks after their citizen they take from the citizens and give to the refugees that worked here for many years the citizen suffer that’s wrong

Why the goverment think is illegal immigrant is doing crime in Canada theirs Also citizen doing crime too a lots of illegal immigrant they goes to school Worked o help their family in their country They have no time to commit crime they brought in so much refugees in Canada some of them lied just to come Canadian goverment. Dosen looks after their citizen they take from the citizens and give to the refugees that worked here for many years the citizen suffer that’s wrong

Before Trudeau's liberal government, Canada's permanent resident program was based on factors such as being fluent in English or French (in Quebec), passing standard exams in one's own country, being educated (Bachelor's or higher), work experience, family, age, and knowledge of Canada's general culture. If you had all the points, you would be selected. It took about three years, and while waiting, you could not apply for any visa to enter Canada. The security check was part of the process, and the Canadian government asked applicants to enter the country by bringing money (Like one year's salary). This system was a perfect plan, and many Western countries wanted to copy that (As I heard on many French and American radios before), but the liberals broke the system! And I still don't know why!

We need government/leaders that are proud to be Canadian, whom will do anything to keep our culture alive, that will work on improving the country and persevere into making this once great country great again! Instead of selling out!

We were one election away from from total collapse in the US. I'm glad to see the Canadian people wake up and take their beautiful country back

Canadian here. No, no it doesn't "divide" our great country. Where was France 24 in 2024 when our transit and hospital systems where overwhelmed by foreign students, the vast majority with very rich parents?

We are born canadian and are thinking of Leaving the country. What happened to my beautiful country

INTERNATIONAL.STUDENTS IF ITS TRUE IF ITS TRUE, ACCORDING TO.INSTITUTION OR COLLEGE PAID DOUBLE TUTION FEE MORE THAN THE LOCAL CANADIAN OR PERMANENT RESIDENT, IF THIS IS TRUE, FROM THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN WHERE THEY CAME FROM, DOES THE SCHOOL OR ANY INSTITUTIONIM CANADA DO THE SAME REQUIREMENTS THAT NEEDED BEFORE YOU ELIGIBLE TO ACCEPT IN CANADIAN COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY?? SUCH AS, HIGH SCHOOL GPA? ENGLISH PROFICIENCY IN PROGRAM OR COURSE NEEDED??AND MORE MANDATED REQUIRED BY COLLEGES OR UNIVERSITY??

I am Canadian n can’t believe the amount this country has changed the past 10 years. Absolutely bizarre. I live on my own but worn with foreign workers n might listen to foreign language in my life more than English.

Canada benefits a lot from immigration, and it’s one of the main reasons the country actively encourages newcomers. Here’s a breakdown in simple terms: ✅ Benefits of Immigration for Canada Population Growth Canada has a low birth rate, so without immigrants, the population would shrink. Immigration helps keep the workforce young and growing. Economic Growth Newcomers fill jobs, start businesses, and pay taxes. Skilled immigrants help in industries facing shortages (healthcare, tech, trucking, etc.). Diversity & Innovation Different backgrounds bring new ideas, cultural exchange, and global connections. Many successful Canadian companies were started by immigrants. Support for Aging Population Canada has many retirees. Immigrants contribute to pension plans and healthcare systems, supporting older generations. Global Reputation Canada is seen as a welcoming, multicultural country, which boosts tourism, trade, and international partnerships. ⚠️ Challenges (but still manageable) Housing demand increases

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.

🇨🇦 Canada and Canadians firts 🇨🇦 This country is beautiful, please don't spoil it! 🙏🏻

Another important concern is that visa officers in certain countries who facilitated fake applications through bribery should be thoroughly investigated, while many genuine and legitimate visitor‑visa applicants — who simply wished to visit Canada and enjoy places like Niagara Falls — were unfairly rejected. The full staff in these offices should be reassigned, and the approval systems and procedures should be completely overhauled to ensure transparency, accountability, and proper decision‑making going forward. Immigrants who have legitimately obtained Permanent Residence or Canadian citizenship are also facing unfair barriers, especially in the job market. Despite having full legal status, many are not even given interview opportunities, while corrupted or poorly monitored ATS systems are being exploited by bad actors. Employers — including major banks and other leading organizations — have hired temporary workers without properly verifying their status or detecting fake documentation. Canada needs a clear hiring principle: priority should be given to Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents first, and only when no qualified applicants exist should other categories be considered. LMIA approvals should be paused to prevent misuse and ensure fairness for those who have followed the legal pathway. Strengthening verification processes and enforcing employer accountability would help restore integrity and fairness in both the immigration and employment systems. Many of these immigrants have sacrificed their assets and life savings in their home countries, embraced Canada as their new motherland, and now find themselves suffering with no realistic path to return — making fairness and accountability in the system even more essential.

I was born in Canada, But Our Family migrated to the USA when I was 2 years old in 1976 we adapted to the USA culture. I grew up on US values. US laws, US living. Our Family moved back in Canada in 1997 to Nova Scotia. We then adapted back to the Canadian culture. Mother and Father taught us to always support the country you live in. Adapt to it's culture and rules. I live in Quebec now in Montreal been here since 2018. I'm always learning french here and there but speak mostly english. But I support the french language. Some days on the weekend though downtown when I see all the immigrants praying in the streets I am starting to miss the USA though. But I do not process an Green Card anymore.

Maybe Canadians should spend their hard earned money in their own country instead of Trumps, also start to restrict Americans coming North

Im also an immigrant but I came here because I liked Canadian culture, I didn't want to bring my Country's culture here. I simply wanted to live a North American lifestyle. This is entirely different. Its just changing your location, and continuing to live in a mini India inside a different geography. If I want to experience my country's culture again and if I miss it I simply do a visit to my family back home.

Good the more immigrants that leave the better it will be for Canada they come here for a better life for safety for this for that they're all set up by the government giving houses cars don't have to worry about nothing it's all provided for them through the taxpayers money well the real Canadians are living out on the streets and eating out of garbage bins I don't have a bed or a roof over their heads due to the immigrants coming into our country then they come into our country in protest terrorist actions destroy our buildings are statues our churches block our streets hospitals shopping malls an etcetera they disrespect our rules and regulations and think they can voice their opinion on everything and get away with it they come here most of them with a green card as a visitor from another land overseas and yes they think they're a real Canadian but never contribute never done nothing for the country but just take from the real Canadians that made the country to what it is today and it's all government doing before they give a house or car or anything that they get the immigrants get if you're standing alongside of one peppermint will give it to the immigrant faster than what they'll give to a real Canadian they're more or less told to sleep on the streets and eat out of garbage bins because he's immigrants deserve nothing but the best in our country we have to show them that they are welcomed no they're not welcome anymore Canadian should come first not somebody that came in on a boat or an airplane from another country and overseas it's a government can't look after their own then they shouldn't be in the government because our prime minister is supposed to be protecting the real Canadians not the ones that are coming in over our borders I wonder if that's ever going to change probably not because they still need these foreigners votes just stay in the position where they're at Canada has become a very undeveloped country now in Canada has been put into a lot of danger due to the terrorism that's in our country from the people that they bought in our country from overseas I mean just look at all the protesting from the palestines and Hamas people what they've done so far to Canada we see it on the news just about every day ask for their rights anyways I can keep going on but it's not worth my time tomorrow is never promised it's just that I know Canada is sinking and sinking fast due to our government and their policies but when it sinks do you think the government's going to stand on board and go down with the ship nope I'll be in another country safe and sound

Two words: Country Caps. Preserve Canadian culture, my family assimilated to Canada when they came generations ago. Now the government is wholesale importing another country's culture and wondering why there are problems.

Yep, Canadian here too. This country is united on tightening immigration.

Hi, as I mentioned before I prepare myself for citizenship test and I don't have my country password, when I was coming to Canada my country situation was very bad, so Canadian people who were in my country decided to bring me without passport, that's why I don't have my country passport with me. Would it be possible to do the test without preparing some documents like passport?

Country needs serious help, Canadians will never own homes w these house prices!

Just wanna say, cause I don't think its said enough, I commend the journalistic integrity that you started out with and maintain throughout your work. Thank you for your commitment to hearing many sides of the story. My brother is a journalist in NYC and he also amplifies voices that are so often drowned out by louder, flashier ones. As a Canadian, who was born in South Africa, but have grown up in BC since elementary school, I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity this country has given my family. We all work hard to build on the values shared in this nation. I love learning about aspects of Canada that I am unfamiliar with, but ultimately help shape its identity. 🙏

Unfortunately, collateral damage is expected. The country is not divided. Some may not admit it but this is the direction most of the Canadians want the government to take. I stand with my prime minister.

They can’t provide the information, what’s a waste to money? Canadians pay a lot of taxes to manage efficiently our country.