http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/immigration-system-increase-mccallum-1.3812749

Quote

A high-powered group of external advisers is calling for a dramatic increase in Canada's immigration levels, but Immigration Minister John McCallum says that might be too ambitious.

McCallum said Wednesday he's read the report by the Advisory Council on Economic Growth that calls for a 50-per-cent increase in targets to 450,000 people a year.

The measure would target skilled, entrepreneurial newcomers in an attempt to stimulate economic growth.

• McCallum acknowledges internal Liberal debate on immigration file
• Canada wants more Chinese workers, students & tourists, says McCallum
• McCallum wants to 'substantially increase' immigration to fill labour needs

The 14-member panel, chaired by Dominic Barton of the firm McKinsey and Co., is to deliver a set of recommendations to Finance Minister Bill Morneau on Thursday.

McCallum said meeting the target suggested by Barton's group would be costly and might not find broad national support.

"The figure he gives is a huge figure," McCallum said. "But this is not a universal view across the country."

Discussions are continuing and the government will announce immigration targets for 2017 next month, McCallum added.

McCallum's cabinet colleague, Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains, told The Canadian Press on Wednesday that he's "worked very closely" with Barton's panel, and favours increased immigration levels. But he stopped short of endorsing the target in Barton's report.

"Clearly he's demonstrating an opportunity for Canada," Bains said. "We value our diversity, we value our multicultural society and we recognize immigration is an opportunity to create jobs."

The need for skilled labour

Bains said the government would need to sell the idea of higher immigration levels to the public.

"We, as a government, need to focus on communicating the benefits of growing the economy and part of that growth is investing in people and part of that equation is immigration."

Bains said bringing in more skilled workers is part of the government's broader agenda that includes investing in research and development, creating jobs and helping companies grow.

A survey released by Canadian Manufactures and Exporters said the most pressing challenge facing its member companies is "attracting or retaining skilled labour."

The response came from a survey and roundtable discussions with 1,300 member companies.

Matthew Wilson, the organization's senior vice president, said manufacturers have traditionally looked beyond Canada's border to find skilled workers.

"If we can expand that, that's good," he said in an interview.

Slower growth ahead

But the government needs to do more to make sure the immigrants they allow into Canada actually have skills that are needed, Wilson added.

"Just bringing in more immigrants isn't going to solve the skills-gap problem if they don't have the skills Canadian companies need."

The continuing need to address the country's sluggish economy was underscored Wednesday as the Bank of Canada downgraded its growth prediction.

The bank's latest outlook projected a real GDP expansion of 1.1 per cent this year, down from its earlier 1.3 per cent forecast.

Governor Stephen Poloz listed immigration as "one of the ingredients" for helping to reverse declining growth.

© The Canadian Press, 2016 

I can't believe McCallum had those thoughts. He must be drying out. Has anyone ever explained how "diversity" has helped Canada? I don't ever remember it being mentioned during Oshawa's Fiesta Week during its heydey.

Some talk on the CBC this morning & the reporter said most immigrants settle in the big cities, which doesn't help declining populations in rural & small town Canada. The reason those populations are declining is that there are no jobs there. Why would it make sense to plunk immigrants down in areas of unemployment? In Apsley, Asians already own the motel/restaurant and the "general store". I can't think of any other businesses they'd be interested in.  

so the news reporting on other news, FFS now i've seen it all coming from you. hook line and sinker

Highest deficit ever so why isn't inflation at the highest rate ever instead of completely under control at 2%

ToSlow do you know why? maybe PP is lying and you fall for it

Ac do you know why? not a chance

ToSlow ask me a question to deflect from his stupid post

I don't have time for you're brainwashed BS today,

Have a great day, you should have enough snow in your hood to be sledding

On 12/11/2025 at 2:37 PM, 1trailmaker said:

Record pumping started by Trudeau you know the anti OIL GUY

Just imagine what would be happening if the Liberals enjoy world prices of $140 a barrel instead of the world price of $80, we still make more money than any time during the Harper years ... FACTS are not your strong point maybe becauae you ignore them

The only thing that Trudeau's pumping is fags, like you, fag.

PP spreading the lies

None of this cause is true --- Why is USA food increasing too at same rate? no ideas? none?

4 hours ago, awful knawful said:

The only thing that Trudeau's pumping is fags, like you, fag.

Such a grownup thing to say so powerful

21 hours ago, toslow said:

I don't have time for you're brainwashed BS today,

Have a great day, you should have enough snow in your hood to be sledding

Tell me again why inflation isn't at the highest rate ever? Deficits caused this right

No sledding today?

Never an issue until they cross to become Liberals

Lying LILLEY wants to create RAGE among CPC SHEEP

Question should be "can you run in another riding once you lose your seat in another" Should that person stepdown as Leader? YES

PP should stepdown HE LOST

Should not be allowed - CPC SHEEP have no issue at all

They only care about corrupt CPC members that cross floor

No snow in your hood?

CPC definition of TRAITOR "anyone that goes against CPC Party" nothing to do with anything agasint Canada

What a joke these people are, nothing but hate lies and UNFAIR to CPC

Poor Fail.

(and my shadow wherever she's lurking)

I’m waiting for fail to start posting carnage success

Fucking truth hurts.

4 hours ago, ArcticCrusher said:

Poor Fail.

(and my shadow wherever she's lurking)

Their phones (PP BOTS) tells me daily their life is shit and will amount to nothing no matter how hard you try

Pretty sure reading hate filled posts daily must give you a hate filled mind really this is fact

21 minutes ago, ArcticCrusher said:

Fucking truth hurts.

You know when Trump attacks it is due to someone or thing better than he his or ever could be, this is what a weak minds does

CPC MEDIA BOtS are going crazy over Ma Lying LILLEY is creating a huge Protest that doesn't exist

Now all of a sudden the CONSERVATIVE has massive connections to CHINA

AC and ToSlow are posting the memes for PP

Canada Proudless has the answer SENIORS don't vote for the RIGHT PARTY

Why have MP's left your Party Mr. PP both point to you as the problem? It is Carney's problem he is using Manipulation backroom deals

Clearly my style is appealing to the uneducated

https://www.facebook.com/reel/838148928850439

Gotta love the elbows up boycott.

Poor Fail, stay clueless.

Cry more Fail.