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.  

Tim driver was moving on people I found that interesting

It does look like some Native issues here

Nick is the dumBest in the CPC bots paid for by CPC

An water bomber is all that is needed and we can't afford it because Carney spends it on lunches

Notice not a word about Doug Fords 15 Conservative MPs charging 10's of thousand for hotel says in toronto

Where is DARCY MEDIA on this Where is ONTARIO PROUD on this?

Of course Andrew and Pierre are spreading lies after lies and his sheep love it

Remeber when this was everyday against TRUDEAU from CPC sheep?

Although she is a traitor separatist she shouldn't be hassled at this event - none of them

But CPC only upset when it is them and cheer when it is Trudeau or Carney

AC what do you think about THE FILES?

TRUMP had a mouth full last night

not one bit of truth but hey he is the president

2020 election rigged

2024 not rigged

2026 interm rigged

Yup voting will now be illegal and only TRUMP can vote

PP and the LIE MACHINE don't stop

We know that is a lie yet PP keeps repeating it

1 minute ago, 1trailmaker said:

PP and the LIE MACHINE don't stop

We know that is a lie yet PP keeps repeating it

What’s he lying about?

NBC and ABC seem to not cover the SPEECH OF LIES from TRUMP

So like any free democracy these NEWS STATION WILL LOSE THEIR LICENSE

Why does TRUMP want to be on FAKE NEWS? seems odd if you ask me

Greatest President of all time still talking about an election he lost 6 years ago

37 minutes ago, toslow said:

What’s he lying about?

Already posted the real deal - the entire post from PP is a lie

YUP you ignored my post and then act like it wasn't even there

You seem to struggle with what PROFIT is over INCOME

Keep going little fella

Edited July 17Jul 17 by 1trailmaker

Toslow struggles with anything requiring thinking.

Now the CPC lies is China cheated in our Elections Donny said so

Too funny

More lies

I thought it was FOOD prices

Taxes have been lowered 3 times since 2015 and never increased only time in history

Backwalking already CPC trying to make their LIES TRUE

Pretty sad to see this considering our Prime Minister has never been so respect worldwide.

The guy has Literally worked for half the G7 FFS yet here we bash him as JUST A BANKER

But PP is greatest ever go figure

Barber keeps the LIES going holy fuck this is unbelievable

Don't LIE he states Then proceeds to LIE

Only a fool like fail would think the lieberals are telling him the truth

@Deephaven you now over in this thread showing your jealousy

Priceless i tell ya priceless 🤡🤡

Jealousy? ROFL. I am over here laughing at your stupidity. Trail makes you and the magaloons look like idiots daily. It's funny as shit.

What an asshole We send our Fire fighters to USA fires they send hate

Trump and rake the forest holy fuck is he stupid

3 hours ago, Deephaven said:

Jealousy? ROFL. I am over here laughing at your stupidity. Trail makes you and the magaloons look like idiots daily. It's funny as shit.

lol fail over here posting min ten stupid post in a row and you say he is smart 😂show how stupid You both are

now that FIFE has had enough of PP the sheep turn on FIFE bashing him to no end

This is a CPC voter turn on anyone that talks about OUR GUY

Shouldn't they be looking for a new leader

USA to be permanent host for FIFA

RAKE THE FOREST IT IS THAT EASY

Anyvbody with a brain knows you can clean any forest millions of sq kilometers big

Trump is so smart

CPC bots are on it WE LOVE TRUMP DO WHAT HE SAYS

Carney should have raked the entire countries forest it is that easy

LIBERAL IDIOTS I love the CPC American BOTS what Canadian doesn't

Ac you following all this great stuff from TRUMP?