Maple News reports that newcomers to Canada are increasingly contributing to solving two of the country’s most pressing issues: healthcare and housing affordability.
According to a recent survey by the Angus Reid Forum, healthcare and housing affordability emerged as the top two concerns for Canadians nationwide. Interestingly, the data revealed little difference in perspective between native-born Canadians and immigrants. However, a closer look shows that while native-born citizens place slightly more emphasis on healthcare, newcomers view housing affordability as a more urgent issue.
Among respondents, 50% of native-born Canadians identified healthcare as a top concern, compared to 46% of newcomers. Conversely, 51% of newcomers selected housing affordability as a key issue, slightly more than the 44% of native-born Canadians who did the same.
These views reflect the reality on the ground. Canada’s housing crisis has been decades in the making, driven by limited supply, rising demand, and high construction costs. While often portrayed as contributors to the housing strain, many newcomers are also actively working to alleviate it. From immigrants launching construction startups to newcomers entering healthcare roles in underserved communities, their contributions are offering real-world solutions.
Recent government initiatives, including faster pathways for skilled immigrant workers in healthcare and the construction industry, aim to leverage newcomers’ talents more effectively. Maple News previously reported on Canada’s push to recruit internationally educated nurses and accelerate credential recognition for foreign-trained professionals.
These efforts come at a critical time. The healthcare system continues to be under strain due to an aging population and pandemic aftershocks. At the same time, housing affordability remains out of reach for many, underscoring a need for innovative policy, new housing developments, and skilled labour.
As the country faces major demographic and economic shifts, immigrants are not only sharing the same concerns as native-born citizens but also helping to solve them. As Maple News continues to track the evolving landscape of Canadian immigration, one message is clear: newcomers are not just part of the conversation — they are part of the solution.