Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who recently urged 'middle powers' at the World Economic Forum to break with the US-led order, is simultaneously overseeing a sharp tightening of immigration policies at home.

Diana Gallego of the FCJ Refugee Centre in Toronto says there is a disconnect between Carney's Davos rhetoric and domestic actions: 'Canada is closing the doors now.'

Public sentiment has shifted dramatically, with a 2024 poll showing a majority of Canadians believing immigration levels are too high for the first time in decades.

Under former PM Justin Trudeau, temporary residents surged to 3.15 million by October 2024, exacerbating housing shortages and straining social services.

The new Bill C-12 grants Ottawa the power to cancel visas and permanent residency en masse in the 'public interest' and restricts access to asylum procedures.

Rights advocates say the law is unconstitutional and fuels xenophobia, while the government claims it is needed to combat fraud and reduce backlogs.

Former Justice Minister Allan Rock called the policies 'a betrayal of values,' accusing the government of scapegoating migrants for systemic failures in housing and healthcare.

The Carney regime has also cut refugee healthcare, frozen resettlement applications, and slashed funding to the immigration department and refugee board.

Activists vow to resist. 'The government is pitting people against each other,' said Luisa Ortiz-Garza of Parkdale Community Legal Services, urging unity among citizens and migrants.

Source: www.aljazeera.com