CanadaB次元官网网址檚 immigration system is broken, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre charged Tuesday, as he sidestepped questions about whether he would change current targets.

Appearing before reporters on Parliament Hill, Poilievre criticized Prime Minister Justin TrudeauB次元官网网址檚 recent comments on housing and pledged to speed up entry for immigrants skilled in the building trades.

The federal government has set a target of welcoming 500,000 immigrants per year by 2025, although some worry about the pressure that could add to the countryB次元官网网址檚 housing crisis, driven by what experts agree is a supply shortage.

Ottawa has defended its ambitious target as necessary given the labour shortage and thousands of job vacancies that employers continue to experience since the COVID-19 pandemic, which triggered widespread lockdowns.

Poilievre slams the Liberal target as driven by TrudeauB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渋deology,B次元官网网址� but he did not answer repeated questions about whether he would consider reducing the number.

He says a Conservative government would base its immigration policy on the needs of private-sector employers, the degree to which charities plan to support refugees and the desire for family reunification.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l make sure we have housing and health care so that when people come here they have a roof overhead and care when they need it,B次元官网网址� he said Tuesday.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l make sure that itB次元官网网址檚 easier for employers to fill genuine job vacancies they cannot fill.B次元官网网址�

Statistics Canada reported last month the country is facing a little more than 781,000 job vacancies.

PoilievreB次元官网网址檚 comments come as the Conservatives try to increase their support in newcomer communities in some of the countryB次元官网网址檚 largest cities and suburbs, selling the party as pro-immigration.

The Tories have struggled to rebuild such support since losing government in 2015, when they campaigned on a pledge to set up a tip line for so-called B次元官网网址渂arbaric cultural practices.B次元官网网址�

A review of the partyB次元官网网址檚 2021 election loss called for recruitment of more diverse candidates and better outreach to cultural communities.

Besides appearing at numerous ethnic media roundtables, attending different cultural events and meeting with various business groups, Poilievre has championed cost-of-living issues in his outreach, from a lack of affordable housing to high food prices.

Rather than discussing immigration targets, the Conservative leader has focused on the systemB次元官网网址檚 shortcomings.

He has also honed in on concerns about the number of international students to die by suicide since the pandemic, with more relying on food banks given the cost of living.

Poilievre has promised to speed up licensing processes for doctors and nurses who come to Canada, saying Tuesday the Conservatives would ensure B次元官网网址渢hat immigrants who come here as professionals get a chance to work in their profession.B次元官网网址�

He also took aim at new Housing Minister Sean Fraser, who served in the immigration portfolio before the recent cabinet shuffle.

Calling Fraser B次元官网网址渢he worst immigration minister in Canadian history,B次元官网网址� Poilievre blamed him and Trudeau for refugee claimants sleeping on TorontoB次元官网网址檚 streets due to a lack of spaces in the cityB次元官网网址檚 shelter system.

The federal government recently announced it would give the city almost $100 million to help find housing.

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