By managing one of the most significant immigration increases in recent history, Canada has severely impacted housing affordability, hindered productivity, and obscured the actual condition of its economic growth, as stated in a recent profile by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The OECD is an organization of 38 nations that essentially represent the developed world. Every two years, each member country receives a detailed "economic survey" compiled by OECD economists.
The latest survey from Canada — released just last week — specifically examines the challenges of housing affordability and worker productivity, two areas where Canada currently ranks among the lowest in the developed world.
Moreover, in both cases, the OECD identifies record-high immigration as a factor that has exacerbated these issues.
"Rapid population growth has intensified existing housing affordability problems," the report states, further recommending that "housing supply should align with immigration targets."
In a similar vein, the OECD cautions that Canada has been integrating millions of new workers into its labor market without a corresponding rise in "productivity-enhancing investment." Consequently, with the economy remaining relatively stagnant, Canadian workers are receiving an increasingly smaller portion of the overall economic benefits.
Additionally, the report highlights that while Canada previously focused on attracting high-skilled immigrants such as doctors and engineers, its current migration patterns are predominantly composed of low-skilled workers.
High immigration is worsening Canada's economic problems, says the OECD
6/10/2025
