Reverse or Onward Migration a Growing Trend

I had the opportunity to engage in an insightful conversation with Ritesh Lakhi on RedFM Vancouver, where we delved into the pressing issue of onward migration amongst new immigrants in Canada. Our discussion shed light on the growing trend of immigrants leaving Canada due to various factors, including the challenges of housing affordability, rising inflation, and other socio-economic hurdles. We also explored the crucial aspect of not only immigrant intake but the significance of their integration and retention in Canada. The conversation highlighted the upcoming challenges and the need for strategic approaches to ensure the successful assimilation of non-immigrant residents in the Canadian societal fabric. 

What is reverse or onward migration? Simply put, growing numbers of immigrants are choosing to leave rather than stay: 

Ottawa, ON — A new report from the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC), The Leaky Bucket, finds that growing numbers of immigrants to Canada are deciding to leave rather than stay.

The report, produced for the ICC by the Conference Board of Canada, finds onward migration, immigrants leaving Canada, has been increasing slowly for decades, but suddenly surged in 2017 and 2019 — the most recent period of available data. The report also finds the risk of onward migration is particularly high between years four and seven following arrival in Canada.

“As Canada relies more and more on immigrants to fill acute shortages in key sectors like housing and healthcare, our ability to retain them is becoming a matter of vital national interest,” said Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.

“Simply put, if Canada cannot deliver for newcomers and help them become Canadian in their passports and in their hearts, we may soon be discussing our prosperity in the past tense.”

Reverse or onward migration RedFM Vancouver December 29 2023