To me, safety and prosperity are this country’s core value propositions. A kid can arrive in Canada from anywhere in the world, enter public school and attend a relatively affordable university. That kid can graduate as a pharmacist or computer programmer or some other desirable professional, equipped to take advantage of the many opportunities Canada has to offer.
At least, that’s how it’s been for decades. As we approach Canada Day this year, I find myself asking: is that version of the Canadian dream still possible? The crushingly high cost of living makes everything harder. Finding an affordable place to live is nearly impossible, especially in major urban areas, especially for new arrivals. And what’s the payoff? Even good incomes now barely cover living expenses.
Canada’s population recently reached 41 million people. Over the last few years, we opened our doors to temporary workers, international students and many other newcomers to address nationwide labour shortages. The sudden population surge surpassed projections and created a host of unforeseen problems.
At Maclean’s, we wanted to take a look at the implications of Canada’s massive influx in a special immigration-themed issue. On newsstands today, the issue features a sweeping essay by Stephen Maher in which he examines the policies that brought us to 41 million. The other stories in the issue all show, in different ways, how the population influx is testing Canada’s limits.
The best way to stay on top of everything we’re publishing in Maclean’s is to become a regular print subscriber. A yearlong subscription is only $39.99—tremendous savings off the newsstand price. Subscribe now. You can also buy the July issue on newsstands today, or by visiting our e-store. I hope you enjoy this issue.
–Sarah Fulford, editor-in-chief
