Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who is rememberedfor tripling immigration during his term, has urged Canadian people to growCanada’s population to 100 million to support country’s economy. Supporting hisstatement, the former Prime Minister gave a message to Canadians, “we need morepeople…a lot more.”
Mulroney spoke at a forum hosted by the Globe and Mailand Century Initiative which is a think tank planning for Canada’s futureprosperity. There, the prime minister floated ideas to accelerate Canada’sgrowth that was already on Century Initiative’s agenda.
WhyCanada needs more people?
With a decline in the birth rate, Canada can't replenishthe population on its own. A low birth rate along with an aging workforce willnot do without immigration. Such factors would put financial pressure on theworking-age population, and effects of the same would be felt this decade as 9million baby boomers will reach the retirement age. Thus, to counter thesedemographic challenges, Canada has to consider the high level of immigration.
In the year 2019, 80 percent of Canada’s populationgrowth was due to immigration, and this year Canada is willing to welcome 1.2million immigrants between 2021 and 2023. The Century Initiative reports saysmore needs to be done, “this business-as-usual approach to population growthwill not create the economically vibrant, socially generous future Canadianswant and expect,”
Why100 million?
Century Initiative paints a picture of the world in 2100where the global population has grown to 11.2 billion. The U.S. is among thetop fastest-growing countries with a population of around 450 million. Whereas,Canada’s population is 49.7 million and the fertility rate is still low and theimmigration level has not changed. This Canadian population is old and economicgrowth falls to half of what it has been over the past 50 years.
But with an increased rate of immigration, an alternatepicture of Canada can be anticipated. Canada would have 100 million people,which is the 27th largest population in the world. The economy is growingfaster and Canada would have a younger population which means a larger laborpool and taxpayer base. More the taxpayer base more will be the money that canbe used in social programs and infrastructure.
500,000new immigrants:
Brian Mulroney wants the Canadian population to grow 100million, as Century Initiative suggests the target with the same figures.According to Century Initiative, the target of 100 million Canadians by 2021 is“neither radical nor unachievable.” The targets for immigration are nearlywhere they need to be, which is at 1% of the population.
Century Initiative suggests Canada should pin the annualimmigration target to 1.25 % of its population per year, by 2026 which couldadd up to 500,000 new immigrants in 2026.
Presently, Canada is ready to welcome 401,000 newimmigrants in 2021 and up to 421,000 in 2023. By 2024, Century Initiative callsfor 450,000 new immigrants and 475,000 in 2025.