Canadian politics thread

[CivicBlues]

We gotta speedrun AI robots so they'll be ready to wipe my ass when I turn senile.

[GLOW]

Originally Posted by Harvey Specter

Clamping down on immigration is largely optics. Canada’s birth rate has been below the replacement level of around 2 for decades and is now around 1.3 which means without immigration the population would eventually shrink to dangerous levels.

We might slow intake temporarily because of political pressure, housing and infrastructure constraints but long term the country will still heavily on immigration.

would clamping down now change much in terms of employment/economy/housing/affordability - or is the damage done and too far gone? i'm curious what would be the impact of limiting immigration now...

Originally Posted by CivicBlues

We gotta speedrun AI robots so they'll be ready to wipe my ass when I turn senile.

i'll be awaiting my fembot like in austin powers

[Harvey Specter]

Originally Posted by GLOW

would clamping down now change much in terms of employment/economy/housing/affordability - or is the damage done and too far gone? i'm curious what would be the impact of limiting immigration now...



i'll be awaiting my fembot like in austin powers

Imo, it’s too far gone. Limiting immigration now won’t suddenly fix affordability, a $1m livable single family house in Vancouver isn’t coming back, and jobs aren’t going to magically appear. Some might disagree but I believe immigration and immigrants are being unfairly used as scapegoats. The real issues in our housing market are the unchecked flow of foreign money and speculators, while the lack of jobs stems from the government not investing enough in real industries, infrastructure, and skills training.

That being said, I have no idea how, as a country, we’re going to address all these issues and combat population decline. We need more people, but we’re tapped out.

[supafamous]

Originally Posted by GLOW

would clamping down now change much in terms of employment/economy/housing/affordability - or is the damage done and too far gone? i'm curious what would be the impact of limiting immigration now...

You can read about what the gap in housing looks like in this CMHC report: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/professi...-new-framework

tl;dr - we have around 17m homes right now in Canada and in order to restore affordability we need to build around 4.5m more homes by 2035 which is about double our current business as usual rate of construction (this is a REALLY difficult task).

They don't specifically address the question of immigration but do say that they expect the population to grow from 41m to 45m by 2035. Since our birth rate is below replacement you could theoretically limit immigration enough to cap population growth and you might only need 4m more homes instead of 4.5m homes (IOW, immigration makes barely a dent in the problem).

I would STRONGLY recommend that we do not restrict immigration to just replacement level - we need have some population growth to deal with our aging demographic AND we need to keep bringing educated workers. Restricting immigration too much would cause a lot of problems to the economy.

Originally Posted by Harvey Specter

Imo, it’s too far gone. Limiting immigration now won’t suddenly fix affordability, a $1m livable single family house in Vancouver isn’t coming back, and jobs aren’t going to magically appear. Some might disagree but I believe immigration and immigrants are being unfairly used as scapegoats. The real issues in our housing market are the unchecked flow of foreign money and speculators, while the lack of jobs stems from the government not investing enough in real industries, infrastructure, and skills training.

Strongly agree that immigrants have been made to be scapegoats in the housing crisis - the bulk of the blame lies with local govt who control what can be done with land. They have all behaved incredibly selfishly over the past 60-100 years and put such tight controls on zoning that we kept underbuilding year after year so that we now have a 4.5m house deficit.

I disagree that foreign money and speculator is the real issue - I haven't seen any data that concludes that this is a significant problem. Instead it's been made a scapegoat like immigration.

Originally Posted by Harvey Specter

That being said, I have no idea how, as a country, we’re going to address all these issues and combat population decline. We need more people, but we’re tapped out.

Yeah, the task ahead (solving the housing crisis) is a harder problem than even the forming of the nation in the first place. The power to solve the problem lies largely with local gov't who are extremely self interested - they treat housing as a piggy bank to fund operations so they charge huge fees to build new housing and want high housing prices. Most local gov'ts are also not run by particularly capable people who can understand a problem this complex nor have the intellect or skill to speak to the populace about the way to solve it.

The provinces (like BC has partially done) have the power to take a lot of zoning powers back but they make for an easy villain (witness most of the mayors sending a letter to Eby demanding that BC rescind the zoning changes).

The feds and the province can do a lot to increase the availability of the trades, pursue different approaches to home building (like the tax credit for building apartments which was a huge success in the 70/80s), and they can also get back into building housing like they used to but that's really expensive.

I think Carney's on the general right track though with his "nation building" message but it's not really focused on housing enough and my initial optimism that Robertson would be up to the task has really faded - he just doesn't seem to be assertive enough on the topic.

[Manic!]

Twitters gork ai let's you remove the clothes of people including children. Now the UK is working with Canada to ban it. Thump is threatened to put tariffs on the UK.

https://x.com/PolitlcsUK/status/2010...7Ctwgr%5Etweet

[spoon.ek9]

Yeah, I heard about that one. You'd think something so unethical and disgusting would lead to the immediate shut down of Grok but nope lol...

[GLOW]

Originally Posted by supafamous

I would STRONGLY recommend that we do not restrict immigration to just replacement level - we need have some population growth to deal with our aging demographic AND we need to keep bringing educated workers. Restricting immigration too much would cause a lot of problems to the economy.

aside from educated/talented workers, do you think we also need to continue to have 'cheap labour' for service industry & the like, or would that take jobs away from citizens that need it (service industry, youth seasonal/part time work, etc) canadians that need/would benefit from those jobs?

[supafamous]

Originally Posted by GLOW

aside from educated/talented workers, do you think we also need to continue to have 'cheap labour' for service industry & the like, or would that take jobs away from citizens that need it (service industry, youth seasonal/part time work, etc) canadians that need/would benefit from those jobs?

I don't know enough to form an opinion on this though it does seem like there's a decent amount of abuse in the TFW program. OTOH, by being generous with immigration policies around bringing families back together again I would imagine that we'd naturally get some supply of service worker quality people.

For some of the shittiest jobs out there (like seasonal farming) I have a hard time imagining enough native born Canadians being willing to do the work - we're just too spoiled for that stuff (just look at what happens in the states when ICE raids farms - nobody replaces those workers and fields don't get worked).

FWIW, 40% of Canadians are either immigrants or children of an immigrant according to the 2021 census (56% are 1st, 2nd, or 3rd generation) - this doesn't include the temps. A part of me finds it galling that we scapegoat immigrants or become anti-immigrant when so many of us are immigrants.

[EvoFire]

The pendulum always swings too far the other way.

Watch this bite us in the ass in a few years. The student visa has truly been abused by Indians and just a few simple rules and steps of having recognized and registered institutions and confirmed entrance would weed out most of these riff raff. And also if you drop out or get kicked out, you have 90 days to GTFO.

[bcrdukes]

Originally Posted by EvoFire

The pendulum always swings too far the other way.

Watch this bite us in the ass in a few years. The student visa has truly been abused by Indians and just a few simple rules and steps of having recognized and registered institutions and confirmed entrance would weed out most of these riff raff. And also if you drop out or get kicked out, you have 90 days to GTFO.

This may not impact us directly unless any of you guys are dumb enough to go back to school at this stage in your lives. But zoom out a bit and think of how the BC provincial gov't is looking at how they will address the challenges they are facing with publicly funded post secondary schools as I know some of you have kids, and any policy changes may last well into the time your kids pursue any type of post secondary education:

1. Province reviews public post-secondary system to ensure long-term sustainability
2. Modernizing the Public Post-Secondary Education Sector in British Columbia: A Review of Sector Sustainability (TERMS OF REFERENCE) (Opens to a PDF)

TL;DR and where this may matter to you:
1. Higher tuition (beyond 2 %) - Increased financial burden, greater reliance on loans or scholarships, possibly limiting access for lower‑income learners.

(I know you guys are super rich so perhaps this really isn't a problem for any of you [looking at EvoFire and dark0821])

2. Institutional consolidations - Campus closures or mergers could reduce local study options, alter campus culture, and increase travel distances for some students.

As long as your kid decides to stay in school in the GVRD, then you're okay. I think this impacts people who are in isolated regions and don't have access to post secondary options.

If your kid doesn't go to UBC or SFU, you fucked up as parents (shame on you.)

3. Program cuts - Fewer degree or certificate choices, especially in fields not directly tied to provincial economic priorities (e.g., some humanities or niche specialties).

I think this is okay because we need fewer psychology majors. Perhaps a shift in trades (as evidenced in recent years) may play a more viable role in the education system, economic benefit, and as society shifts their perspective of blue vs. white collar jobs

4. Long‑term sustainability focus - If successful, the education sector may achieve more stable funding, which could eventually translate into better facilities and resources but the transition period may be disruptive.

Overall, the review signals a period of uncertainty. While the goal is to secure the financial health of BC’s higher‑education system, the immediate consequences such as higher fees, possible campus mergers, and selective program reductions could shape the educational landscape for upcoming cohorts. Students should stay informed about the outcomes of the March conclusion and be prepared to adapt to any policy shifts that arise.

Caveat: Take my post with a grain of salt as most of the material is in jest and for entertainment value. I think you guys can discern where the jokes are.

[EvoFire]

I don't have numbers but I'm willing to bet most of the denied applications are for foreign students applying for the wild chicken college like Canada West. The true universities like SFU and UBC won't get affected much, and also the 2nd tier options like Douglas, Langara, Kwantlen are still fine. I've also never heard of BCIT having financial issues.

I don't need Canada West to consolidate, I need them to go away. The anecdotes of them not even hiring their own graduates is pretty sad and hilarious at the same time. Most people I know who are doing hiring, anything that's not recognized locally automatically goes in the trash heap.

[bcrdukes]

The Tier 2 schools are actually NOT doing fine. They are running deep deficits. SFU and UBC are impacted, but in different ways.

Ditto on the garbage schools. Those need to die in a fire ASAP. Note that private for profit schools like Canada West are not impacted by this provincial study.

[GLOW]

never heard of canada west, went to their website. they offer MBA's? is it a real MBA or is it a degree in "keeping it real"?
actually i don't even know what's a "real" mba so maybe it's a redundant question

[bcrdukes]

I didn't know about that school either.

From a quick Google search, their MBA is certified by Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) so there is some business education standardization. However, certification does not mean it is necessarily, "better" or more prestigious. Prestigious school often have certification from AACSB, EQUIS, or AMBA. Some MBA programs have what is known as the Triple Crown (all three certifications.)

Schools that perform a level of research and have faculty specializing in their respective fields often stand out more. I don't think Canada West conducts research but I could be wrong.

[Harvey Specter]

They’re fly-by colleges, basically diploma mills that have pump out worthless diploma's and have deals with immigration consultants.

[Manic!]

VIU is facing a lot of financial difficulties. They have cut a bunch of programs.

With reduced immigration business are fckd. People want tims to be open 24/7 but no one want's to work there. tims needs 2 employees at night but if one calls in sick they have to close. People talk about high schools kids working at these places but they can only work like 20 hours a week and many quit after a few months. These places need people who will work 40 plus hours a week and stay for 2/3 years.

A new chicken place that's not a franchise opened up in Nanaimo. Owned by an Indian couple that use to rent an apartment from us. These are there hours. It's rare to have something open that late.


Hours:
Sunday 11 a.m.–12 a.m.
Monday 10 a.m.–12 a.m.
Tuesday 10 a.m.–12 a.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m.–3 a.m.
Friday 10 a.m.–3 a.m.
Saturday 11 a.m.–3 a.m.

They have been open less than a year and are already talking about franchising.
https://flamez.ca/franchise/

Foods really good.

[bcrdukes]

Yes, VIU is in a tough situation. They might be seriously dun goofed.

Are you looking to open a franchise? Will there be an Indian guy (you?) to fight Badhobz in a parking lot?

[Traum]

Yeah, the 2nd tier public institutions are getting hit pretty hard too. Back in March last year, local news was reporting that Langara had cut 200 instructors:

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2025/0...0-instructors/

The news piece makes it sounds like most of those are contract faculty members, so technically they are temporary staff. But generally speaking, full time faculty starts off working as contract faculty members at first, and when permanent positions open up, it is almost always someone in the existing pool of contract faculty member that applies for it, and gets the job.

And then in August (2025), Langara announced another round of layoffs, although some positions are only ending in April (2026):

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2025/0...students-drop/

But overall, it sounded like the total reduction in faculty size is ~25%, so that's pretty crazy.

Kwantlen seems to have laid off 70 faculty last March, with another 45 taking place early this year (probably in April at the end of the winter semester).

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...offs-1.7482336
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/kwan...ional-students


Capilano U seems to be handling it with a different approach, with a hiring freeze + reduced workload for existing faculty members to minimize job losses. Generally speaking, having a reduced workload (ie. teaching fewer classes, or engaging in less department work-equivalent of teaching) results in reduced pay. CapU is a university now, so I dunno if this still applies, but a long time ago for local colleges, teaching 1 less course in a given academic year results in a 10 - 15% reduction in salary for the faculty. Still, they are going to close down their Sechelt campus in April this year.

https://www.capilanou.ca/about-capu/...9271442-en.php

Even VCC seems to have cut 30 staff.

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2025/0...llege-layoffs/


None of the "publically funded" post secondary institutions (regardless of tiers) actually receive sufficient funding from the federal and provincial governments to fully support their operations -- Google seems to think it only accounts for around 40%+ of their total operating costs for UBC & SFU. So they all had to come up with creative ways to make up for that funding shortfall. This is why you see UBC and SFU leaning heavily into RE developments. International students was another important revenue stream. But with reductions in international student populations of as high at 60% for some of these public post secondary institutions, they are all getting hit hard.

[bcrdukes]

Traum, I hope you kids go into a trade so they can laugh at all us high school drop-out, degree-holding bum types!

[EvoFire]

Originally Posted by Traum

Yeah, the 2nd tier public institutions are getting hit pretty hard too. Back in March last year, local news was reporting that Langara had cut 200 instructors:

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2025/0...0-instructors/

The news piece makes it sounds like most of those are contract faculty members, so technically they are temporary staff. But generally speaking, full time faculty starts off working as contract faculty members at first, and when permanent positions open up, it is almost always someone in the existing pool of contract faculty member that applies for it, and gets the job.

And then in August (2025), Langara announced another round of layoffs, although some positions are only ending in April (2026):

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2025/0...students-drop/

But overall, it sounded like the total reduction in faculty size is ~25%, so that's pretty crazy.

Kwantlen seems to have laid off 70 faculty last March, with another 45 taking place early this year (probably in April at the end of the winter semester).

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...offs-1.7482336
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/kwan...ional-students


Capilano U seems to be handling it with a different approach, with a hiring freeze + reduced workload for existing faculty members to minimize job losses. Generally speaking, having a reduced workload (ie. teaching fewer classes, or engaging in less department work-equivalent of teaching) results in reduced pay. CapU is a university now, so I dunno if this still applies, but a long time ago for local colleges, teaching 1 less course in a given academic year results in a 10 - 15% reduction in salary for the faculty. Still, they are going to close down their Sechelt campus in April this year.

https://www.capilanou.ca/about-capu/...9271442-en.php

Even VCC seems to have cut 30 staff.

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2025/0...llege-layoffs/


None of the "publically funded" post secondary institutions (regardless of tiers) actually receive sufficient funding from the federal and provincial governments to fully support their operations -- Google seems to think it only accounts for around 40%+ of their total operating costs for UBC & SFU. So they all had to come up with creative ways to make up for that funding shortfall. This is why you see UBC and SFU leaning heavily into RE developments. International students was another important revenue stream. But with reductions in international student populations of as high at 60% for some of these public post secondary institutions, they are all getting hit hard.

I was under the impression that the foreign student program has become harder and no terminated. I'd have expected the named schools to maintain similar level of foreign students and be able to maintain their revenue.

Or is this just inflation means even maintaining the current local/foreign mix isn't enough?

[GLOW]

Originally Posted by bcrdukes

I didn't know about that school either.

From a quick Google search, their MBA is certified by Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) so there is some business education standardization. However, certification does not mean it is necessarily, "better" or more prestigious. Prestigious school often have certification from AACSB, EQUIS, or AMBA. Some MBA programs have what is known as the Triple Crown (all three certifications.)

Schools that perform a level of research and have faculty specializing in their respective fields often stand out more. I don't think Canada West conducts research but I could be wrong.

Originally Posted by Harvey Specter

They’re fly-by colleges, basically diploma mills that have pump out worthless diploma's and have deals with immigration consultants.

ya it's weird it has some certifications like dukes said, didn't know there's generally 3 to be legit. if they're diploma mills, i wonder how many locals get suckered in to attending them vs the known uni's/colleges.

[bcrdukes]

Originally Posted by GLOW

ya it's weird it has some certifications like dukes said, didn't know there's generally 3 to be legit. if they're diploma mills, i wonder how many locals get suckered in to attending them vs the known uni's/colleges.

Based on what's publicly available, we can assume their recruitment primarily targets international students or candidates with intention of securing immigration and work opportunities.

As a domestic student myself, this school did not come up in any of my searches for an MBA program unless I completely missed their listing. Looking at their website, they do offer their programs to domestic students and is very much an afterthought. It is very evident they are not the primary target demographic. Admittedly, their tuition fees for an MBA program are quite competitive.

[GLOW]

ya i can see someone doing MBA research can get sucked in (not sure if tricked is a fair word). but then again if something is too good to be true it most likely is. it's like a fraction of an MBA from say SFU.

on top of that it can be done all online. i don't think i've seen an mba program offered as can be taken 100% online. i think the point is to meet folks and network like minded industry folks.

tbh i've found it difficult to find 100% online post bachelor programs in general. unless it's a micro-credential perhaps.

[whitev70r]

These diploma mill ones are for individuals who cannot get into or accepted into the Tier A ones and still want a Canadian 'University' degree.

[Badhobz]

Originally Posted by GLOW

ya i can see someone doing MBA research can get sucked in (not sure if tricked is a fair word). but then again if something is too good to be true it most likely is. it's like a fraction of an MBA from say SFU.

i got a feeling my SFU degree is about as worthless on the international stage as the DerpADerpCollege.