SELLEST OSAST
Stephen LeDrew says Canada needs to have a serious conversation about immigration — without immediately dismissing legitimate questions about numbers, screening, integration and who should have a say in setting immigration policy.
In this rant, LeDrew points to Quebec, which has exercised extensive immigration-selection powers under the Canada–Quebec Accord since 1991, and asks whether other provinces should demand a greater role as well.
He argues that immigration has helped build Canada and says newcomers who come here, contribute and become part of Canadian society have strengthened the country.
But LeDrew questions whether the current system is putting enough emphasis on skills, integration, security and Canada’s economic needs.
The discussion also turns to Europe, where immigration and integration have become major political issues, and to comments from British Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch arguing that not every cultural practice is compatible with the values of a liberal democracy.
LeDrew also raises Dominic Barton’s continuing influence in Ottawa.
Barton chaired the Trudeau government’s Advisory Council on Economic Growth, which recommended substantially higher immigration levels, and in 2026 Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed him Chair of Invest in Canada.
The question is not whether Canada should have immigration.
It is what kind of immigration Canada needs, how many newcomers the country can successfully absorb and who should make those decisions.
Become a member to support independent discussion and help keep the show on the air.
TOPICS COVERED
- Canada’s immigration debate
- Immigration levels and population growth
- Integration and Canadian identity
- Quebec’s immigration powers
- Whether provinces should have a larger role
- Immigration screening and security
- Skilled immigration and labour shortages
- Dominic Barton and Canadian economic policy
- McKinsey and the federal government
- Immigration debates in Britain and France
- Kemi Badenoch’s comments on cultural integration
- Whether Canada needs a new immigration strategy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
