Environmental Reasons to Migrate to Canada

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) states that environmental migrants are individuals who are forced to or choose to leave their current homes, either on a temporary or permanent basis, due to the sudden or progressive change in the environment that have a negative impact on their lives.

So, how does the environment affect migration?

Environmental circumstances such as droughts, desertification, sea-level rise, or any other description that causes people to leave the place where they reside or secure their livelihood are the causes of environmental immigration. According to the Institute for Environmental and Human Security’s studies, environmental factors account for just 18% of all immigration. However, current climate change and environmental degradation are already driving migration.

Let’s understand the climate of Canada in order to understand why people, due to environmental impacts, migrate to Canada.

People have a prevalent misperception that Canada is a land of ice and snow. It’s not true. Canada has a varied climate and four different seasons, including scorching summers and moderate winters.

For example: 

Canadian region is divided into three categories which majorly includes:

Main Canada

The climate in Canada varies significantly from one region to the next, and the weather in different parts of the nation can be quite different on any given day. Winters in some areas of Canada are quite hot, with minimal snowfall. The northern section of the climate, for example, is noted for its harsh winters and a summer that lasts fewer than two months. The southern section of the significant Canadian area, on the other hand, is warmer. The climate in places like Vancouver is wet and breezy. As a result, summers may be as hot as 22 degrees, while winters can be as cold as 7 degrees. Similarly, summer temperatures hover about 26 degrees in the Toronto region, while winter temperatures hover around 0 degrees. You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy various summer activities such as visiting Canada’s national parks, beaches, camping, hiking, and winter activities such as skiing, ice skating, snowboarding and many more.

Quebec

In the summer, the Canadian province of Quebec may be quite hot and humid. The temperature is approximately 25 degrees Celsius on average. However, it feels significantly warmer than the actual temperature due to the high humidity. During the winter, the days are chilly and snowy. Quebec is the most excellent location for snow enthusiasts because it is Canada’s snowiest province.

Atlantic Canada

The Atlantic Canadian area is the coldest part of the country, with typical summer temperatures ranging from 15 to 13 degrees Celsius. Apart from air, our essential requirement is water. And it’s virtually everywhere in Atlantic Canada. It’s chilly, fresh, and definitely contains fewer bacteria, and the region is brighter with snow and a sky full of lovely pastel colours. It is perfect for individuals who prefer cooler weather to warmer weather. Furthermore, because of its shrinking population, the Atlantic Canadian area is welcoming immigrants.

What aspect of climate change attracts people?

People move from one location to another to improve their standard of living. Some people may be financially secure in their own nations, but they are prepared to give up their riches and status due to the deterioration of environmental circumstances. For example, many climate migrant Canadians state that they chose to relocate to Canada because of the clean and pure air. As India grapples with challenges such as air pollution, poor waste management, rising water shortages, decreasing groundwater tables, water contaminants, and biodiversity loss, people are flocking to Canadian regions in quest of cleaner air and better sanitation.

Similarly, Bangladesh’s deteriorating air quality is pushing people to move since many have asthma and other diseases as a result of the poor air quality. In contrast, Canada’s average air quality stays at AQI 30, which is deemed good. Moreover, Canada has reduced its air pollution emissions, and its air quality has improved substantially over the last few decades.

Moreover, due to deforestation, soil erosion, desertification, wetland degradation, and other factors, an increasing number of people are moving from Africa to Canada. Likewise, individuals from many nations are becoming interested in Canada. As a consequence of its geographical boundaries, Canada, unlike the United Kingdom and America, is somewhat protected from environmental hazards.

Environmental Impacts of Immigration in Canada

Immigration and the environment have a directly proportional relationship. The increasing population has a significant influence on Canadian life. Many individuals are migrating to Canada, yet none of Canada’s national policies takes into account the effects of mass immigration. Currently, Canada is unaffected by mass immigration, but it is projected that Canada’s carbon emissions will skyrocket by adding 10 million people and 6 million automobiles over time. In addition, massive environmental concerns will arise as a result of this amount of immigration, which are currently not present in Canada.