The number of foreign travelers turned away at Canadian ports of entry increased by 20% in 2024 compared to 2023, according to CBSA data.

This has led to criticism of the federal government's immigration policies, particularly regarding the impact on housing supply. The data also revealed that July 2024 marked the highest number of rejected entrants in five years, with a significant increase in the number of non-refugee visa holders being turned away. The increase in the number of foreigners being turned away comes after a major dip in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CBSA's role is to assess the admissibility of persons coming to Canada on a case-by-case basis. The change in the number of rejections has sparked debate in Parliament over immigration numbers and their impact on the housing market. The federal government has faced criticism over its immigration targets, which were warned to jeopardize housing affordability two years ago. In response to these concerns, the federal government has made announcements to tighten immigration policies, including ending the pandemic-era practice of allowing visitors to apply for work visas from within the country. The government has also signaled more changes to immigration policy in the fall, with the Immigration Minister stating that upcoming changes to permanent resident levels will be "significant" rather than "cosmetic." Additionally, the government has implemented stricter rules to reduce the low-wage stream of temporary foreign workers.

The CBSA spokesperson highlighted several factors that could impact whether or not a non-refugee visa holder is allowed to enter Canada, including increases in annual travel volumes, changes in entry requirements, and socio-economic factors. Admissibility of travelers is decided on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed, even for those who have obtained temporary resident visas or have been previously authorized to enter Canada.

Source: Canada.ca