Economic and Social Impacts of Immigration

Joseph Garcea is an assistant professor of political studies at the
University of Saskatchewan.

This is one of the last and most interesting publications produced by
the now defunct Economic Council of Canada. It examines in greater depth
the issues and recommendations discussed in the Council’s 1991
document New Faces in the Crowd released by the Council in February
1991. The overarching objective of the report is to consider whether
immigration levels should be increased. The report concludes that
“cautious expansion should be our watchword.”

This work will appeal to those interested in such questions as “Is it
true or not . . . that immigrants cause unemployment? Are there
significant economic gains from the enlargement of the domestic market
that immigration permits? Are we witnessing a rise in welfare and other
costs associated with immigrants? Does the growing diversity associated
with immigration imply a significant erosion of traditional Canadian
values? Or does it, instead, offer a golden opportunity to build a more
exciting society? Does that growing diversity really pose a
significantly heightened risk of social frictions?”

The report consists of 11 chapters. Chapter 1 provides an introduction
to the study’s objectives and general methodology. Chapter 2 provides
a historical overview of immigration and Canada’s economic
development. Chapters 3 to 6 examine the potential implications of a
higher level of immigration for, among other things, economic benefits
for individuals, the levels of taxation to meet the needs of the
immigration-generated population, the level of unemployment, the
economic power of the nation in the international community, and the
distribution of that power among the provinces and municipalities.
Chapter 7 to 10 assess the economic performance of immigrants, the
relationship between refugee and immigration flows, the impact of higher
levels of immigration on tolerance and prejudice in communities, and the
economic merits of maintaining the present levels of immigration or
increasing them. Chapter 11 summarizes the major findings regarding the
economic, political, and social effects of immigration, and makes some
recommendations on, among other things, future levels of immigration,
qualifications of immigrants and the distribution of new immigrants
across Canada.

Those without the time or inclination to read the entire report should
at least read the introduction and conclusion. This is one of the most
objective and thoughtful works on important immigration issues ever
produced in Canada.