Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will step down soon. How much has he changed Canada?

Canada’s population continues to grow, we need to ensure that we have the infrastructure and resources to support newcomers.

Sharry Aiken, an immigration and refugee law expert at Queen’s University, said Trudeau’s government has been \”ambitious\” on immigration and has taken steps to improve the refugee determination system.

\”There’s been a tremendous amount of change in the system that has made it, I think, more efficient and fairer,\” Aiken said.

But Aiken also noted that the Trudeau government has faced criticism for its handling of asylum seekers at the Canada-U.S. border, particularly during the influx of Haitian and Nigerian migrants in 2017.

\”I think it was really incumbent on the government to respond more effectively to that situation, to send a message that Canada is a country that welcomes immigrants, but there’s a process to follow,\” Aiken said.

Aiken also pointed to the controversial Safe Third Country Agreement with the U.S., which restricts refugee claimants from seeking asylum in Canada if they arrive at an official border crossing from the U.S. Critics argue the agreement is outdated and puts asylum seekers at risk.

Looking ahead, Aiken said she believes Canada’s immigration system will continue to evolve, regardless of which party is in power.

\”I think that the momentum for the change that we’ve seen in the last several years is something that’s difficult to roll back,\” Aiken said. \”I think that there’s a broad consensus in Canada that we need to have an immigration system that functions effectively, that is fair, that is efficient.\”

Legacy and lasting impact

As Trudeau prepares to step down as prime minister, experts and analysts agree that his government has made significant strides in fighting climate change, advancing Indigenous reconciliation, and lifting Canadians out of poverty.

But the legacy Trudeau leaves behind is also marked by criticism and challenges, particularly in areas such as the economy, Canada’s international reputation, and immigration policy.

Despite the criticisms, many experts believe that Trudeau’s transformation of Canada will outlast his government. The social programs, investments in Indigenous communities, and climate action policies put in place by the Trudeau government are seen as difficult to roll back.

As Canadians reflect on Trudeau’s near-decade at the helm of government, it is clear that his legacy will be a complex one, with both accomplishments and shortcomings. Whether his vision of a more inclusive, progressive Canada will endure remains to be seen as the country prepares for a new era of leadership.