The lure of the ‘Canadian Dream’, the promise of better opportunities, higher education, and financial stability has drawn thousands of international students, particularly from India, to Canadian shores. However, a viral video recently surfaced that challenges this idealised vision, depicting a harsh reality many immigrants face upon arrival. The footage, which has garnered widespread attention on social media, shows an overwhelming line of students, reportedly from India, queuing up outside a restaurant in Brampton, Ontario, just to drop off their resumes for the positions of waiter and servers.
This scene unfolded at Tandoori Flame, a popular South Asian restaurant, where approximately 3,000 students are seen patiently waiting for the chance to secure part-time work.Shared widely on X (formerly Twitter) by Megh Updates, the video has ignited conversations about unemployment and diminishing opportunities for international students in Canada.
The video has sparked a broader debate about the realities of the Canadian labor market and the struggles immigrants endure, particularly in sectors like hospitality, where such jobs are seen as stepping stones or survival tactics during the initial stages of the migration journey.
Immigrants struggling to find stability
The data on unemployment in immigrants reveals an unsettling truth: While Canada welcomes talent from around the world, systemic barriers continue to hinder the economic success of those who call the country their new home.
According to Statistics Canada, the unemployment rate for recent immigrants, those who have become permanent residents within the past five years soared to 12.6% as of June, a sharp increase from 8.6% the year before. In stark contrast, Canadian-born workers faced an unemployment rate of just 5.5% during the same period.
Broken dreams: A stinging reality for immigrants in Canada
Immigrants, particularly from India, often arrive in Canada with high hopes and significant investments in their education, expecting their qualifications to lead to promising careers. However, many face the stark reality that their degrees are not recognized, and entry-level jobs in their fields are scarce. Instead of climbing the career ladder, they find themselves in industries unrelated to their expertise.
Earlier in September 2024, the Canadian government introduced changes in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, pushing for employers to give preference to Canadian-born candidates rather than immigrants. In line with the announced changes, the cap on low-wage temporary foreign workers across Canada stands at 10% currently.
This push is consistent with efforts to rebalance the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program, which saw a surge in low-wage jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, rising from 21,394 in 2018 to 83,654 in 2023.
Now, what once seemed like a land of opportunity for many, has turned into a land of uncertainty. The Canadian labor market, tightened by rising interest rates, has left businesses hesitant to expand their workforces. This, combined with a record surge in immigration and rising housing crisis, has overwhelmed job creation making it increasingly difficult for new arrivals to secure stable employment.
Broader impact on Canada’s workforce
The struggles faced by recent immigrants are part of a wider economic challenge that Canada is facing. Unemployment has risen across several demographic groups, not only limited to newcomers. Overall youth unemployment, for example, reached 13.6% in June, its highest level since 2016, excluding the pandemic years, while at the same time Black Canadians aged 25 to 54 saw their unemployment rate surge to 11.9%, an increase of 4.4 percentage points over the past year.
Canada’s economy, once seen as a beacon of stability and growth, is now struggling under the dual pressures of rising immigration and shrinking job opportunities. Here’s an overview of the unemployment data-
Source: The data presented is based on information from Statistics Canada and reports from various media outlets.
Bridging the gap
As the promise of the ‘Canadian Dream’ continues to elude many international students, particularly those from India, the viral video has laid bare the widening gap between expectation and reality. With rising unemployment, systemic barriers, and fierce competition for low-wage jobs, the once vibrant hope of building a prosperous future in Canada is becoming increasingly elusive. Unless structural changes are made to create more opportunities for newcomers, many students and immigrants may find themselves trapped in survival mode, grappling with the harsh realities of an economy that can no longer support its growing population.