In the tumultuous arena of social debates, few issues generate as much ideological confrontation and passion as that of immigration. There are those who defend it unconditionally, and there are those who fiercely defend it.
Nuances are often lost in the din of partisan speeches. But it is not a question of being for or against the principle of immigration. It’s all a question of degree.
Reality
Quebec received approximately 55,000 immigrants in 2023.
We must therefore be naive to believe that we can receive the equivalent of the city of Saint-Hyacinthe each year without exerting considerable pressure on already saturated public services and on all infrastructure.
But we must also be in bad faith to deny the economic contribution of immigration, particularly to meet certain labor needs.
According to Statistics Canada, during the first 10 years following the arrival of immigrants, their activity rate exceeds 77% compared to 64.9% for people born in Canada. They are therefore significantly more inclined to participate in the labor market than natives.
On the other hand, after a decade, their initial enthusiasm petered out and reached the national average.
Conclusion? It’s not that Quebec lacks workers, but that it struggles to keep them on the job. By offering generous aid to the unemployed and heavily taxing work, the state creates an incentive for idleness. It therefore contributes to the shortage of work.
Solution
But if the State is part of the problem, it also has the solution.
Through a real reduction in the tax burden, it can motivate the existing workforce and thus respond to the labor shortage without resorting to immigration disconnected from reception capacity.
Quebec and Ottawa hold a master key to unlocking the untapped potential within the population. Will they be able to make good use of it?