Liberals launch pro-immigration campaign to calm 'anxieties' as Conservatives turn up heat

Canada's Liberal government has launched a public awareness campaign to calm fears and stress the benefits of immigration amid backlash in some parts of the world.

Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said, "It is well planned, managed and, for the most part, selective. As long as Canadians see the benefits, they are supportive, he said.

"The anti-immigrant, anti-refugee rhetoric that is all around us – we are not immune to that," he said during a speech and question-and-answer session with the Canadian Club in Toronto.

"This is the challenge before me, and it is going to be difficult to communicate with you, but also to really, really communicate, and listen carefully to the real benefits of immigration. for certain people who have anxieties about the economy and about their future to see immigration as a positive thing. "

The new awareness campaign continues to be broken down by the Opposition Conservatives over border security and the government's handling of asylum seekers crossing into Canada. The Opposition has declared it a "crisis," though the government insists it is a challenge that is being capably managed.

Conservative critics Michelle Rempel and Pierre Paul-Hus will respond to the government's immigration plan starting at 11:30 am ET and CBCNews.ca will carry it live.

As part of the federal initiative, Hussen is launching the "Immigration Matters" website, which provides information on how the system works, and how is it necessary to offset an aging population and meet labor needs.

The Hussen Initiative has a higher rate of 350,000 for 2021. That's up to 40,000 from this year's target of 310,000.

Surge in global migration

Hussen said we are now living in a world where the word "immigrant" evokes starkly different responses as global migration reaches levels not seen since the Second World War.

He said Canada is isolated from the pressures of global migration patterns in Germany, where it is claimed.

"We have been sheltered by three oceans and our border to the south." But we have seen growing numbers of asylum seekers crossing the United States between ports of entry, which we're starting to see some of the challenges compared by others, although the numbers pale in comparison, "he said.

Hussen said Canada must be vigilant in ensuring that the integration of newcomers is successful, and to listen to the concern of Canadians. The public awareness efforts will present facts and statistics and showcase success stories to Canadians.

Asked about the immigration levels in Quebec City today, the Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said he supports the targets as long as they are based on Canada's needs in terms of filling gaps and addressing population growth.

Wrongly blamed for housing crisis

Asked about the impact of asylum seekers on Toronto's housing situation, Hussen said that they are being wrongly blamed for a long time.

"I think it's really misleading, it's very dangerous and it does not involve scrutiny," he said.

The federal government has given $ 11 million to the United States, and the largest share of the deficit is in Canada.

Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen is working to raise awareness of the benefits of immigration to Canada's economy and communities. (John Badbad / CBC)