Canada is turning away more people at its borders and approving fewer visas, according to new government data obtained by Reuters. This crackdown at the country’s borders comes amid growing dissatisfaction among Canadians with how Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s liberal government is handling immigration, especially with an election year approaching.
The data reveals that in July, Canada rejected a record 5,853 foreign travelers — including students, workers, and tourists — marking the highest number since at least January 2019. Additionally, border officers deemed 285 visa-holders inadmissible in July, another record high.
The average monthly rejections for the first seven months of 2024 reached 3,727, a 20% increase from the previous year. Immigration data also shows that in June, the ratio of refused visitor visa applications was the highest since the pandemic began. Approvals for study and work permits have declined from previous highs.
The Canadian government is facing pressure as polling suggests many believe the country is admitting too many immigrants, contributing to the housing shortage and high prices.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller stated that Canadians “want a system that is not out of control.” His spokesperson attributed the drop in study permit approvals to a new cap announced earlier this year.
A spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency said that changes in inadmissibility findings could be due to shifting migration patterns or policy updates, although no specific policy changes were mentioned. The spokesperson emphasized that the CBSA’s approach to admissibility remains unchanged.
