The Dark Side of Canada: Exploitation, Hardship, and Displacement

Thinking About Moving to Canada? Think Twice.

Canada is often painted as a land of opportunity, a welcoming country with endless possibilities for newcomers. But the reality is far more complicated. For many immigrants, life here is not only difficult—it’s exploitative. And the ripple effects extend far beyond personal struggle.

Exploitation in the Workplace

Programs like the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) are frequently advertised as a path to employment. In practice, they often trap workers in low-wage, unsafe jobs with few rights. Wage theft, unsafe conditions, and employer-tied visas make it almost impossible for workers to speak up. As Amnesty International notes, the program is “designed in a way that facilitates shocking abuse and discrimination.”

The UN has even called Canada’s reliance on temporary foreign workers a “breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery.”

Economic Hardship and Discrimination

Life in Canada is expensive. Many newcomers struggle to meet basic needs—43% reported difficulty in April 2024, compared to 29% of non-immigrants. Racialized communities, including South Asian and Black Canadians, face even higher barriers.

Meanwhile, anti-immigrant sentiment is rising, fueled by scapegoating and xenophobia, creating additional stress and risk of discrimination.

Gentrification: Who Gets Displaced?

Moving to Canada doesn’t just affect you—it affects the people already living here. Cities like Vancouver are experiencing severe gentrification. Newcomers, often seeking better lives, inadvertently contribute to skyrocketing rents and the displacement of long-standing communities, including Indigenous populations and low-income residents. The same pressures that make life tough for newcomers are the same forces that push others out of their homes.

Before coming here, consider: who is being displaced when you settle in a gentrifying neighborhood? How do your choices intersect with the struggles of those who have lived here for generations?

Parents, Think Twice About Your Children

Many families move to Canada hoping their children will have a better future, or with the expectation that kids will eventually send money home. But this often puts children in vulnerable situations. Schools and communities may not protect them from exploitation, bullying, or economic pressures.

Ask yourself: do you really want your children exposed to these risks? Are you willing to put their safety, education, and mental health at stake? Moving for money or status is not worth sacrificing your children’s well-being.

Harsh Immigration Policies

Canada’s immigration policies are tightening. Laws like the Strong Borders Act restrict access to asylum and give expanded powers to law enforcement. While they’re framed as maintaining safety and order, the burden is borne mostly by vulnerable newcomers.

The Bottom Line

Canada isn’t the promised land—it’s a place where survival is hard, exploitation is real, and your presence can unintentionally displace others. Parents, think carefully: moving here may put your children in danger, not just your family. Before making the move, research thoroughly. Understand the challenges you will face—and the impact you may have on your children and communities already struggling to survive.

Canada may look appealing—but think about who gets left behind, and who might be hurt, when the shiny façade fades.