We need immigration to maintain our population. At current birth rates and current rates of emigration and immigration, our population will continue to increase until about the year 2025, and then begin to decline. We have too few people under 21, and too many aged 40 to 50. In a few years, there will be too few young people supporting too many old people. By consuming goods and services, and by paying taxes, refugees and immigrants create jobs for Canadians.
Unemployment still climbs when immigration declines.
Many countries don't have a choice about taking refugees because they border countries creating refugees. Unlike these countries of first asylum, Canada has a choice about whom we take. We shouldn't take advantage of our protected location. In fact, we have an obligation under international law to share in the responsibility for refugees. Many of the countries of first asylum are poor, and cannot afford to maintain a large refugee population.