IRCC had encouraged people only on March 13; the whole world has changed drastically since then. Also, traveling has maximum risk.
I am unsure if Kubeir Kamal is followed by members on these boards or not, but the gentleman put out a very good video discouraging people from landing in Canada. His logic is correct: you have minimum or nil support structure upon landing, you risk infection during your travels and during transit, you'd find it hard pressed to self-quarantine; jobs would be hard to come by, it would be difficult to get banking basics, DL etc done in a reasonable amount of time given that everyone is working with skelatal staff and practising social distancing; you'll have to depend on the kindness of your neighbors to deal with supply-chain problems and delayed delivery of groceries; getting a phone number etc etc (or as Kubeir says 'Cetra cetra cetra). Soft landing seems to dissuaded as per experiences of members here
This problem will be exacerbated by immediate job loss amidst the outbreak; only once the outbreak eases and restrictions are lifted, can the newcomer population start finding work. And that too, not all job backgrounds will offer favourable opportunities.
From a Canadian perspective (let's unfairly assume for a moment that the IRCC is cruel and uncaring): it's a loss-loss situation for them to allow newcomers to come in at this time, without giving a blanket 6-month extension to everybody. Newcomers will burn out their money without being able to integrate; forcing them to be take any and all jobs, leading to exploitation. They could get sick and have no one to take care of them. As a single traveler, with no family n Canada, this is my nightmare. The whole point of bringing in smart, capable people will be wasted.
Although my heart yearns to come to Canada and start a new life, I would petition the IRCC (just in case some kind soul is reading this) and ask that people who are capable of traveling later this year, but are unwilling to travel, be allowed to get COPR/PRV extensions.
If this point has been belaboured, my apologies.
