Newcomers Contributing to Canada’s Solutions: Addressing Healthcare and Housing Affordability Issues
In a recent study conducted by CIC News, Canadians identified healthcare and housing affordability as the two most pressing issues currently facing the nation. Interestingly, both newcomers and native-born Canadians ranked these issues similarly. However, newcomers are playing a pivotal role in addressing these challenges, working to improve both housing availability and healthcare access in Canada.
Table of Contents
- Survey Results: Canada’s Top Issues
- Housing Affordability Crisis
- The Systemic Causes
- Newcomers’ Impact on Housing Affordability
- Canada’s Healthcare Challenges
- Emergency Room Wait Times and Specialist Access
- Shortages in Primary Care Providers
- Newcomers’ Contributions to Healthcare
- Looking Forward: Collaborative Progress
1. Survey Results: Canada’s Top Issues
According to a survey conducted by Angus Reid Forum from November 1-4, 2024, 50% of Canadian respondents cited healthcare as one of their top two priorities, while 45% ranked housing affordability as a critical issue. Interestingly, newcomers (immigrants and temporary residents) were slightly more concerned about housing affordability (51%) than native-born Canadians (44%). Conversely, native-born Canadians were somewhat more focused on healthcare (50%) compared to newcomers (46%).
Here’s a breakdown of the priorities:
| Issue | Native-born Canadians | Newcomers |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | 50% | 46% |
| Housing Affordability | 44% | 51% |
2. Housing Affordability Crisis
Housing affordability in Canada has reached a critical point, with home prices rising sharply over the years, outpacing those in the U.S. despite similar economic challenges. Unlike the U.S., Canada’s housing prices have continued to escalate, primarily due to several longstanding systemic issues:
The Systemic Causes
- Restrictive Zoning Laws: Many municipalities have strict zoning regulations, making it difficult to build enough housing to meet demand.
- Bureaucratic Red Tape: The construction approval process is excessively slow. It can take over a decade for a developer to complete housing projects.
- High Construction Costs: Limited skilled labor due to trade unions restricting the intake of new workers and high construction material costs have made building affordable housing challenging.
- End of Public Housing Programs: The federal government’s decision in the 1990s to stop funding public housing has further exacerbated the supply crisis.
Newcomers’ Impact on Housing Affordability
While newcomers are often blamed for increasing demand, they are also contributing positively by making efficient use of existing housing stock and helping to alleviate labor shortages in the construction industry. Immigrants tend to have higher occupancy rates per unit, with many living with roommates to manage housing costs effectively.
In fact, a significant proportion of Canada’s construction workforce is made up of immigrants. For example:
- 23% of general contractors and builders are immigrants.
- 41% of architects and 40% of civil engineers are newcomers.
- 20% of roofers and 16% of electricians are also immigrants.
Despite facing significant challenges in obtaining professional licensure in Canada, newcomers continue to fill critical labor gaps and contribute to building new housing stock.
3. Canada’s Healthcare Challenges
Canada’s publicly funded healthcare system is widely praised for providing access to healthcare services for all citizens and permanent residents. However, long wait times and a shortage of primary care physicians have created a significant strain on the system.
Emergency Room Wait Times and Specialist Access
Many Canadians experience long waits in emergency rooms. For instance, in Ontario, patients often face extended hours before receiving care, especially high-urgency cases. In addition, wait times to see specialists, such as for benign brain tumor cases, can stretch from months to over a year in some regions.
Shortages in Primary Care Providers
A major issue in Ontario is the lack of family doctors. As of September 2023, approximately 2.5 million Ontarians were without a family doctor. Without access to primary care, Canadians struggle to manage routine health issues, get referrals for specialized treatment, and renew prescriptions.
Newcomers’ Contributions to Healthcare
Newcomers have been instrumental in addressing Canada’s healthcare challenges. Immigrants make up a substantial portion of healthcare workers in Canada:
- 25% of registered nurses
- 42% of nurse aides
- 43% of pharmacists
- 37% of physicians
- 45% of dentists
These workers are crucial in mitigating the strain on the system. Canada’s immigration policies, particularly Express Entry, have attracted skilled healthcare professionals to fill urgent vacancies, especially in underserved regions. Despite the barriers newcomers face in obtaining professional licenses, their contributions to the healthcare sector are vital.
4. Looking Forward: Collaborative Progress
As Canada faces its most pressing challenges of housing affordability and healthcare, newcomers are not just passive recipients of the system—they are active contributors. Whether through improving housing availability, working in skilled trades, or providing essential healthcare services, immigrants are helping to build a stronger and more sustainable Canada.
As the country moves forward, both native-born Canadians and newcomers will need to collaborate and share in the responsibilities of solving these issues. Many Canadians remain optimistic about the future, with 55% of survey respondents expressing confidence that Canada will continue to be a great place to live in the years to come.
In conclusion, while challenges remain, the role of newcomers in addressing Canada’s critical issues is undeniable. They not only enrich the country with their skills and labor but also help drive the solutions to the problems that matter most.
Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted by CIC News among a sample of 1503 members of the Angus Reid Forum from November 1-4, 2024. The margin of error for this survey is +/- 2.53 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The survey was conducted in both English and French.
For a free consultation about your work permit and student permit options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
