slofstra,

"Qualitative" discussion often veers towards hyperbole and one-sided arguments. As I've already said above, there are deep-pocketed, vested interests that want high immigration and a much higher population. Just like they want unrestricted trade flows and investment. They will impose their money and influence into any debate at every opportunity. Here is a different qualitative view:

Canada is already quite crowded. Our present population is huddled in a sliver of precious arable, land along the U.S. border.

Easy immigration, combined with easy capital flows, has wrecked the housing markets for local citizens in Van and the GTA.

Employment is much more precarious in a free-trade, AI world. Tech jobs will be outsourced as quickly as possible to low-cost jurisdictions, just like manufacturing was.