While the federal budget offered thin gruel for most last week, the decision to ditch the immigrant investor program (or the buy-your-way-into-Canada program, as it was alternatively known) is a welcome move.
The issue obviously isn't with either immigrants or investment, both of which are needed and desired by Canada.
But the program, as it previously existed, did little to foster immigration by those who genuinely planned to build their lives in Canada.
According to the government itself, once the cash was handed over, there was little evidence immigrant investors maintained ties here.
The program was also no great shakes in the investment department, with many immigrant investors moving their families to Canada but continuing to conduct business elsewhere.
Most paid less money in taxes over the long term than their own hired help.
There have been rumblings about the effect this move might have on luxury home sales.
But last time we checked, the intent of such programs was not to bolster commissions on high-end real estate deals.
It could even be argued that putting a damper on stratospheric house prices is a positive development.
The major flaw in the decision is whom it does not affect - immigrant investors headed to Quebec, which is continuing its own program. That, of course, is part of a much larger conversation.
In the meantime, we wish the government luck with programs like the startup visa that will hopefully do better to lure immigrants who will become the innovators of the future.
Those are values this country was built on.
