Nearly half of skilled immigrants leave Canada within years of arrival

A concerning trend is emerging in Canada’s immigration landscape, as revealed in the Conference Board of Canada’s “The Leaky Bucket 2024” report. Economic immigrants, particularly skilled workers and professionals, are leading a departure from the country, with one-third departing within their first five years. This pattern poses significant challenges to Canada’s economic and social objectives, especially impacting sectors like healthcare and construction. The report highlights that these departing immigrants aren’t fleeing hardship but rather represent a globally mobile talent pool choosing to contribute their skills elsewhere despite Canada’s initial investment in their settlement and integration.