During the peak COVID years, Canada saw immigration rates plummet by more than 45%. As the pandemic winds down, how can this vital source of essential talent be restarted? -- DONNA CHAN

In 2021, Canada clocked its lowest rate of economic and population growth since 1916. Immigration rates plummeted by some 45 percent, while domestic birthrates stagnated. As a result, there’s a noticeable pinch in the labor market, with shortages of skilled and essential workers across the country.

This pinch is a problem. For many decades, Canada has relied on a steady flow of incoming workers to keep the economic engines running. Millions come as students, temporary wor....