Carney attributes ‘weakness’ in economic data to lower immigration targets

Globe and Mail Canada ^ | 06 02 2026 | Bill Curry & Mark Rendell

[yesthatjallen]

Prime Minister Mark Carney responded Tuesday to a report showing the Canadian economy has contracted for two consecutive quarters, saying part of the “weakness” is linked to the government’s decision to scale back immigration.

He said Ottawa’s plans to boost investment will ultimately produce a “stronger, more resilient economy,” but that economic data will be “uneven” in the interim.

“You have these cross currents as the economy is being fundamentally transformed. We’re going to continue to work. We’re making progress, but there’s more to be done,” he said.

Mr. Carney’s comments are his first about Statistics Canada’s quarterly GDP report, published last Friday, that said the Canadian economy contracted by 0.1 per cent on an annualized basis in the first quarter of the year. That is after a 1-per-cent annualized decline in gross domestic product in the previous quarter.

Two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth is sometimes referred to as a “technical recession,” although many economists dismiss the term. A recession is generally marked by a significant decline in economic output that affects a broad range of industries and lasts for at least several months.

SNIP

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TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: canada; carney; immigrants; immigration

[yesthatjallen]

AI: "The current unemployment rate in Canada is 6.9%, as recorded in April 2026. This figure represents an increase from 6.7% in March 2026 and marks the highest jobless rate in six months."

[butlerweave]

High unemployment but Carney and his liberals still bring in more and more freeloaders

[JZelle]

Carney is a globalist POS representing fellow elites. I no longer recognize the world I was born into.

[catnipman]

“Due to the ongoing slowdown in immigration decided by Ottawa, the country’s population was smaller in the first quarter of 2026 than in the fourth quarter of 2025.”

WTF??? ... does the above mean that non-immigrant Canadian citizens have been failing to procreate for many years?

[avital2]

2 down quarters RECESSION

[existentially_kuffer]

The Century Initiative called for 100 million immigrants to Canada! Investment money is pouring out of Canada and Liberals want to have more immigrants and the government pays for all this, absolute craziness!!

[butlerweave]

but 30 million real Canadians can’t pay for 100 million deadbeats

[doc maverick]

“Carney is a globalist POS representing fellow elites. ”
Carney is a cracked nut case.
This is spiritual warfare and Carney is on the wrong side.
No wonder Alberta wants no part of him…..

[Obadiah]

Nonsense. I’m certain it was climate change that caused the increase in the Canadian in employment.

[Republican Wildcat]

Oh yes, of course...when you have a surplus of potential employees and a shortage of jobs for the same, the way to solve that is to bring in more potential employees...

[Bobbyvotes]

High unemployment but Carney and his liberals still bring in more and more freeloaders No, More lefty VOTERS!

[DUMBGRUNT]

—” ... does the above mean that non-immigrant Canadian citizens have been failing to procreate for many years?”

Not just Canada.

Why the U.S. Fertility Rate Has Hit a Record Low
As childbearing shifts toward women 30 and older, U.S. moves further below level needed to keep growing

The lack of growth in births continues to be driven by uncertainty about the future, including concern over finances, relationship stability and the political climate, according to Wendy Manning, a demographer at Bowling Green State University. But research shows many women still desire to have children.
https://www.wsj.com/us-news/why-the-u-s-fertility-rate-has-hit-a-record-low-13e7c2f8

[gibsonguy]

Abortion.

[VanShuyten]

“… saying part of the “weakness” is linked to the government’s decision to scale back immigration.”

So, Canadians are getting paid too much, and Canada needs cheaper labor (Labour).

[Lopeover]

Carney is a feckless dumb head.

[Renkluaf]

The US will be glad to send you all the “immigrants” you need.