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Yet a further justification used for mass immigration is that it enriches society by the ever-increasing diversity that accompanies it. While many Canadians would agree that we have benefited by becoming more diverse in recent decades, studies show that this is an area where there can be too much of a good thing and that endless increases in diversity weaken the cohesiveness of society and shared common values. In many parts of the country we will have our hands full ensuring the integration of those who have already arrived from societies with very different traditions and values from those on which Canada has been built without adding to the problem by bringing in additional large numbers.

As for housing costs in Vancouver, a study released earlier this month by the University of British Columbia shows that immigration does, indeed, have a major impact on the market, with high levels of purchases by members of the largest immigrant communities settling in the region, many of whom, the author of the study believes are able to transfer large financial resources into Canada. While this may be fine for the construction and real estate industries, it is certainly not fine for young people and their families trying to get a foothold in the market.

In the circumstances, it is high time that an informed national debate take place on how much and what kind of immigration Canada needs and who is really benefiting from current policies. While most surveys indicate that Canadians generally remain positive about immigration, further research needs to be done on just how deep this support goes since many are less enthusiastic when it comes to having it in their own neighbourhood. One survey revealed that more than 90 per cent of the residents of Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary either think their cities are large enough already or too large — which means they hardly look forward to a major influx of newcomers.