Portugal should treat Canadian immigrants as well as Canada treats Portuguese immigrants
Portugal’s population has finally stabilized at around 10 million due to efforts to balance emigration and immigration. High immigration is needed to offset losses due to emigration of Portuguese talent to other countries. Canada has been a huge recipient of Portuguese immigration, and has managed to attract 166,000 immigrants from Portugal, putting us as the 5th most popular destination for Portuguese people. This is no easy feat, as Portuguese do not need to apply for a visa to move permanently to France or Germany, we don’t share a common language like Brazil, and Canadian salaries are lower than USA or Switzerland. Canada has worked hard to attract immigrants and it’s success is proven in these numbers:
- France: 600,000 emigrants
- Switzerland: 265,000 emigrants
- USA: 200,000 emigrants
- Brazil: 189,000 emigrants
- Canada: 166,000 emigrants
- Germany: 138,000 emigrants
Not only has Canada has accepted 166,000 immigrants from Portugal, but in our last census, 448,310 Canadian citizens identify as Portuguese, despite being second or third generation Canadians. There are entire neighbourhoods in Canadian cities where Portuguese immigrants are dominant, and where English or French is not always spoken. Canadians view immigration as a point of pride, and we are happy when immigrants choose Canada over other countries. We understand that immigrants have choices on where to move and when they choose Canada, their international perspective and different cultures contribute greatly to Canadian culture and society. To quote my member of parliament for many years in Vancouver Centre, “Canada’s diversity is its greatest competitive advantage – our weapon of mass inclusion.”
Portugal is not nearly as welcoming as Canada. Immigrants are regularly scapegoats for many of the failures of the Portugal’s problems, including the housing crisis and cost of living crisis. The current opposition party, Chega, likens immigration to an “invasion”. But let’s look at the numbers. As of 2022, there are just over 10,000 Americans living in Portugal. For Canadians, the last official number was taken in 2018 by the now disbanded SEF, but at the time, the total number of Canadians residing in the entire country was 882. How can 10,000 Americans and 882 Canadians be responsible for affecting the rents in a country of 10 million people who’s population is not growing?
Portuguese citizens moving to Canada under the Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Program are granted immediate permanent residency, whereas Portugal only allows Canadians Temporary residency. Canadian Citizenship is granted after 5 years.
The 882 Canadians should be treated with the same respect and given similar rights as the 166,000 Portuguese who have made the reverse journey, not as scapegoats for Portugal’s failures.