With Justin Trudeau stepping down as Prime Minister of Canada, the country’s political future is at a crossroads. His resignation marks the end of a nearly decade-long tenure defined by ambitious immigration policies, global humanitarian commitments and sharp criticisms of his rivals. The move puts Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre as the frontrunner to take the reins of Canadian politics with a promise to overhaul the immigration system along with several other proposed policy changes.
For some Indian Canadians, Mr. Trudeau’s departure is “bitter-sweet,” saying his immigration policies contributed to the challenges that ultimately led to his resignation.
“It’s like driving without the right fuel,” Suraj Subhadarshi, business and product strategy manager at a tech firm in Toronto, told NDTV. “His resignation was bittersweet. That day came because of some of his policies, particularly on immigration, government restrictions and aid,” he said.
“The Indian Canadian community is in favor of resignations,” a senior analyst at a tech firm told NDTV on condition of anonymity. “Despite being liberal, his government’s policies fail to avoid economic shocks and their impact on individuals and families. Have been.”
Trudeau’s immigration stand
Mr. Trudeau’s immigration policies have been both praised and criticized. His government’s ambitious goals, which include a plan to welcome more than 500,000 permanent residents annually by 2025, were aimed at alleviating labor shortages and rejuvenating Canada’s aging population. However, critics argue that the rapid influx of immigrants has put pressure on housing, health care, and other public services.
“Up until the last few years, there was somewhat controlled immigration. But, the same period saw a huge influx of immigrants from all over the world. Bringing in immigrants in a controlled manner is paramount to the success of a country’s economy in the long run – government restrictions And uncontrolled immigration coupled with other unrealized benefits wreaks havoc,” Mr. Subhadarshi said.
“Immigration is important to Canada because the infrastructure is crumbling,” the tech analyst said.
“Now that I’m in Canada, I hope they stop all immigration,” said another.
india-canada relations
Mr Trudeau’s resignation also raises questions over the future of India-Canada relations, which have hit historic lows. The Indian-Canadian community is aware of the implications of strained diplomatic relations, especially for immigrants and those maintaining cross-border ties.
“To be honest, I don’t have much expectations from the interim government. I certainly have a lot of expectations from Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre,” Mr Shubhadarshi said. “Immigration has already been impacted massively. To be very transparent, any country that makes laws around immigration does so solely for the benefit of the country, and in Canada it is no different.”
He said strict policies may deter some people, but can also restore a sense of fairness and stability to the system. “When the policies were not limiting, it was a safe haven for many people, and now that the policies are leaning towards being stricter and harsher, I would see people marching in the streets and around government offices “Which is a disgrace in my opinion. If anyone wants to live the Canadian dream, they need to earn it, not buy it,” he said.
Tensions have been rising between New Delhi and Ottawa after Mr Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in September 2023. Nijjar was shot outside a Sikh temple in Canada. India rejected the allegation as “absurd”. Mr Trudeau’s claim that India sponsors criminal activities has drawn sharp criticism domestically and internationally.
“The hope is that Canada’s new reality will stabilize the situation in the coming months, starting with household cleaning first,” said Ruturaj Gaurav, senior analyst at a tech firm.
Another Indian-Canadian software engineer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “His resignation opens the possibility of a new leadership approach that can prioritize improving and strengthening bilateral relations with India. This is good for some. And it will be difficult for others.”
new conservative approach
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is a sharp critic of Mr. Trudeau’s immigration strategy. In December 2024, Poilievre said that the “radical, out-of-control NDP-Liberal government has destroyed our system,” calling for a more measured approach to immigration. He has proposed limiting immigration rates based on the availability of housing, health care, and jobs.
“I have had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Poilievre in person and attending one of his closed-door meetings, and from what I have gathered he appears very promising. I believe now is the time It’s time we give the Conservatives a chance. Together, under Mr. Poilievre’s leadership, things can work in Canada’s favor,” Mr. Subhadarshi told NDTV.
Mr. Trudeau’s approach to immigration was a defining feature of his leadership. His government’s initiatives, such as the resettlement of more than 40,000 Syrian refugees and the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program highlight Canada’s commitment to humanitarianism. The latter program allowed more than 200,000 Ukrainians to seek temporary asylum in Canada.
An Indian-Canadian technocrat explained, “There could be a shift towards prioritizing skilled immigration directly linked to labor shortages, possibly through family reunification or reducing refugee quotas. Regulation in housing development and Mr. Poilievre’s focus on reducing bureaucratic delays could accelerate the solution to the housing shortage.” NDTV.
However, these views were not shared by some people.
Mr. Gaurav said, “He is not that good but what choice do we have.”
