Canada’s New Immigration Strategy: Building a Future of Belonging

For generations, immigration has been the engine of Canada’s growth and a cornerstone of its identity. Yet, as the world changes, so too must our approach. A groundbreaking study from the Environics Institute challenges us to look beyond the traditional narrative of immigration as a purely economic necessity. It calls for a profound shift—from a story of transaction to one of transformation. This is not about filling jobs; it’s about fulfilling a promise of mutual belonging. Canada is being invited to write a new chapter, one where newcomers and long-standing residents alike are active co-authors in a shared future.

Moving Beyond the Economic Narrative

The dominant story of immigration in Canada has long been framed in terms of labour market gaps, demographic challenges, and economic growth. While these factors remain critically important, an overemphasis on them risks reducing newcomers to units of economic production. It creates a conditional relationship: you are welcome as long as you contribute.

The new strategy proposes a more holistic vision. It asks:

• What if we valued people for their full humanity, not just their human capital?
• What if integration was seen as a two-way street, requiring adaptation from both newcomers and receiving communities?
• How do we build a society where everyone feels they truly belong?

This reframing is essential. When people feel they belong, they are more likely to invest deeply in their communities, participate fully in civic life, and contribute their unique talents and perspectives over the long term. The economic benefits become a byproduct of a healthier, more cohesive society, not the sole objective.

The Pillars of a New Immigration Story

Writing this new story requires intentional action across multiple fronts. It’s about building systems and fostering attitudes that nurture inclusion from the first point of contact and throughout a lifetime.

1. Rethinking Settlement and Integration

Settlement services are vital, but the new strategy envisions moving “from settlement to community building.” This means:

• Empowering communities: Providing long-term, flexible funding to local organizations—including those led by immigrants and racialized Canadians—to design programs that meet their unique needs.
• Fostering meaningful connections: Creating more structured opportunities for newcomers and established residents to interact as equals, moving beyond superficial welcomes to genuine relationship-building.
• Investing in long-term success: Extending support beyond the first year to address challenges that arise later, such as career advancement, family reunification struggles, or navigating systemic barriers.

2. Confronting Systemic Racism and Discrimination

A story of belonging cannot be written while ignoring the persistent realities of racism and discrimination. A truly inclusive immigration strategy must be explicitly anti-racist. This involves:

• Acknowledging and addressing the specific barriers faced by Black, Indigenous, and other racialized newcomers.
• Reforming institutions—from policing and justice to education and healthcare—to ensure equitable outcomes for all.
• Implementing robust systems to recognize foreign credentials and work experience, breaking down the “Canadian experience” catch-22 that holds so many talented professionals back.

3. Embracing a Two-Way Street of Integration

Integration is not a one-sided process where newcomers must do all the adapting. The receiving society has work to do. This means:

• Encouraging all Canadians to learn about the histories, cultures, and contributions of diverse communities that make up the country.
• Expecting public institutions, media, and community leaders to actively model inclusion and challenge xenophobic narratives.
• Viewing the changing cultural landscape not as a threat to a static identity, but as the ongoing evolution of what it means to be Canadian.

The Role of Every Canadian

Governments set policy, but a sense of belonging is built in everyday interactions. The new immigration story is a collective project.

• For Employers: Go beyond hiring for diversity; cultivate workplaces of genuine inclusion where diverse voices are heard and valued. Mentor newcomers and challenge bias in promotion practices.
• For Educators: Integrate diverse perspectives and histories into curricula. Create classrooms where every child’s background is seen as an asset to the learning community.
• For Neighbors and Community Members: Reach out. Invite. Listen. Simple acts of welcome can bridge worlds. Support local organizations that bring people together.
• For Media: Tell nuanced stories about immigration that move beyond crisis or economic metrics. Highlight the rich, human narratives of contribution, struggle, and community building.

A Future Written Together

Canada stands at a crossroads. We can continue with a transactional model that meets short-term needs but may foster division and conditional acceptance. Or, we can choose the more ambitious path outlined in this new strategy: to consciously build a future of mutual belonging.

This future recognizes that our shared prosperity is inextricably linked to our shared humanity. It understands that a nation’s strength is measured not just by its GDP, but by the well-being and cohesion of its people. It is a future where the question “Where are you from?” is followed by genuine interest, and where the answer “I am Canadian” is felt deeply and equally by all.

Writing this new story will require courage, honesty, and sustained effort from every sector of society. It is the essential work of our time. By embracing immigration as a transformative force for mutual benefit, Canada has the opportunity to redefine what a welcoming society can be in the 21st century—and in doing so, build a stronger, more resilient, and truly inclusive home for everyone.