The Math Is Clear: London's Economy Depends on Welcoming Newcomers
As 10,000 baby boomers retire this year, newcomers keep our hospitals, factories, and main streets alive.
London faces a critical choice. Thousands of baby boomers retire annually, with too few young people entering our workforce. We must either welcome more newcomers or risk essential services collapsing.
If immigration were to stop tomorrow, hospitals would struggle due to staff shortages. Our healthcare system couldn't function.
This isn't politics or charity; It's math.
The Hidden Crisis Behind London's Growth
London is changing. Our population grew by 10% between 2016 and 2021, with newcomers making up the bulk of residents. Behind these numbers lie workforce gaps threatening daily life.
Manufacturing faces up to potential job losses if positions remain unfilled. Construction companies can't find enough workers to build needed homes.
Many Londoners underestimate our reliance on newcomers to fill these gaps.
Where Newcomers Work and Why It Matters
6,400 immigrants currently work in London's healthcare sector—18% of the working-age immigrant population. Immigrants comprise a quarter of registered nurses across Canada, 42% of healthcare aides, and 37% of physicians.
Manufacturing is London's second-largest employer of immigrants at 14% (roughly 5,100 workers). Construction reports explicitly state the domestic labour supply is insufficient and immigrants are "a key recruitment source in most occupations."
Immigrants keep our healthcare system running, build our homes, and manufacture daily-use products.
Beyond Jobs: How Newcomers Create Opportunity
Immigrants are major leaders in entrepreneurship. In 2021, 19.5% of working immigrants in London were self-employed compared to 12.7% for non-immigrants, surpassing even Toronto.
These entrepreneurs create jobs for themselves and others. National data shows immigrant-owned businesses generate 25% of all net jobs despite representing only 17% of companies.
North London's immigrant population increased by 13% between 2011 and 2016, coinciding with neighbourhood revitalization. Old East Village is transforming through projects like "Welcome Home," a 247-unit housing development by the London Cross Cultural Learner Centre bringing new life to local businesses.
"Immigrants who come here are naturally bold," says Ozgun Papan Kasik, who founded Acumen Business Consulting with her husband after immigrating. "Bold enough to leave their country and move somewhere unknown. They're courageous and not afraid of risk."
That courage translates into economic activity. Immigrant-owned firms pay 16% higher net taxes per employee than those owned by Canadian-born individuals, contributing more to public services while using fewer tax credits.
Challenges That Limit Potential
Despite these contributions, London isn't fully capitalizing on newcomer talent. Many highly educated immigrants work below their qualifications due to credential recognition barriers.
Public transit, critical for newcomers who use it at twice the rate of Canadian-born residents (15.1% compared to 6.8%), requires continued investment to connect people to jobs.
These barriers hurt both newcomers and London's economy.
A Future That Works for Everyone
Without continued immigration, London faces a stark future. An ageing population would mean fewer healthcare workers, struggling businesses, and a shrinking tax base as service demands increase.
With strategic integration support, London can maximize immigration's economic benefits. This means:
Streamlining credential recognition so healthcare professionals can practice at their skill level
Expanding the affordable housing supply, like the "Welcome Home" project
Investing in transit connecting newcomer neighbourhoods to employment hubs
Supporting immigrant entrepreneurs through targeted business development programs
London's future prosperity depends on how effectively we integrate global talent. Supporting newcomer success isn't charity. It's practical economics.