Canada Unveils Future Immigration Plans 2021-2023

Canadian Immigration Update: Immigration Levels Plan 2021-2023

An overview of Immigration to Canada in 2019

1. Travel documents issued to workers, students and visitors: 5,774,342
2. Temporary work permits issues: 404,369
3. Temporary to Permanent resident transition: 74,586
4. Permanent residents admitted: 341,180
5. Refugees Resettled: 30,087

Immigration Levels Plan is probably the most important immigration announcement made every year. This announcement is important as it outlines the number of immigrants the Canada Government will be targeting at welcoming over the years. These immigrants who will be coming into Canada have further categorized: economic; family; refugee; humanitarian & compassionate grounds. Canada in 2019 achieved the highest level of permanent resident admissions with 341,180 new immigrants. 

Economic immigration class is the largest source of new permanent residents, approximating to 58% in 2019. Family reunification of Canadian Citizens or permanent residents can be sponsored to Canada, provided the sponsor accepts the financial responsibility of the individual for a period of time. 

From a case-to-case basis permanent residency may be granted based on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. The same can also be granted on certain public policy considerations under exceptional circumstances. CICC each year also facilitates the intake of a targeted number of permanent residents under the refugee resettlement category. 

Due to the Pandemic, Canada had to shut down its borders and that drastically affected Canada’s Immigration plan to welcome over 1 million new permanent residents. However, Canada has been holding Express Entry draws throughout the pandemic and the Provincial Nominee Program is still on-going. 

With Canada’s latest announcement, and to compensate for the fall of immigration that happened this year, Canada has set the immigration admission bar highest in its history. 

The Immigration Levels Plan for 2021-2023 will target the highest level of immigration, over the three years they aim to welcome;

• 401,000 Immigrants in 2021
• 411,000 Immigrants in 2022
• 421,000 Immigrants in 2023

These are high targets as the only time Canada has ever welcomed 400,000 immigrants previously in history was back in 1913. Canada has never been able to achieve this figure again. The new immigration levels plan aims to admit 60% of new immigrants through the economic class programs. 

Why is Canada aiming to admit high numbers of Immigrants?

High levels of Immigration are being maintained by the Candian Government to battle the negative impacts of the economy and the fiscal impacts of the aging population with low birth rate. Canada has one of the lowest birth rates in the world and also has one of the oldest populations in the world. 

To batte these very challenges and to aid the growing economy, Canada has maintained its stance on increasing immigration by the year. Canada is on the path to welcome around 3.5 million immigrants this decade, and this only shows their forthcoming nature to welcome new immigrants. 

Public Support for immigration has also seen an increase in Canada. This rise was seen during the pandemic, where Canadian’s reported Immigrants making the country better, diverse and multicultural. Many also see immigration as a positive step towards long term economic recovery and some are very pro-reunification of families. 

Official link here: https://bit.ly/31Wmf0F