PM Trudeau's Liberal government has unveiled plans to triple the Canadian population to 100 million people, albeit over the next 90 years, so you might be in your second or third body by the time we get there.
In this spirit they are opening the gates for 450,000 annual immigrants, largely from the well-educated classes abroad, (which leads to its own ethical debate over whether it's fair for us to take the best and brightest which foreign governments have already invested in but let's save that one for another time)
What effects will this have on Montreal? Let's explore some possibilities.
In this spirit they are opening the gates for 450,000 annual immigrants, largely from the well-educated classes abroad, (which leads to its own ethical debate over whether it's fair for us to take the best and brightest which foreign governments have already invested in but let's save that one for another time)
What effects will this have on Montreal? Let's explore some possibilities.
- Nationalism Quebec traditionally seeks to have about 25 percent of Canada's population but new immigrants are shunning the eastern half of this country for places further west, so that could enfeeble Quebec's power in Canada, which will lead to new dissatisfaction and passport burning episodes. Quebec has long imagined that there's an endless flood of francophone talent from places like France wishing to get over here, so those peoples could serve to replenish our aging ranks, but in fact less stable countries might end up bringing their folks instead, leading to further irritation in a place that rejects multi-culutralism.
- Population density A nine-million soul greater Montreal begs the question: where would they all live? Urban sprawl and densification would be the inevitable reply. Places like St. Henri, where anti-condo sentiment thrives, would see a far more intense battle against gentrification. Cities, of course, like new towers because they bring in solid tax revenues. Pressure could be put on park space and highways could become more crowded, which brings us to....
- Transportation infrastructure More trains, metros and roads will be needed, which dovetails with the government's newest darling, which is transportation infrastructure spending. Elements of those fantasy Montreal metro systems that sexless transit geeks draw up for fun could actually take place. Many have added a stop at Sherbrooke and St. Lawrence sprouting up from Berri, which seems like an awesome idea. I'd like to see one from Vendome to the airport. Land could be obtained cheaply by building in the corner of Oxford Park, NDG Park, then a variety of such places down to Montreal West where it just cruises through industrial land thereafter.