Canada has announced new immigration plan welcoming bright and talented 350,000 immigrants by 2021 (1% of Canada’s population) who will contribute to Canada’s economic growth and help keep Canada competitive in a global economy.
The new plan builds on the strong economic foundation laid out in last year’s levels plan and continues to responsibly grow the number of permanent residents Canada welcomes annually to..
- 330,800 in 2019
- 341,000 in 2020
- 350,000 in 2021
which nearing 1 percent of Canada’s population—in 2021.
Immigration is a central pillar of Canada’s future economic success. Immigrants contribute significantly to labor market and economy of Canada.
Canada has welcomed generations of immigrants who have brought their talents to, and are an integral part of, local communities across the country. In addition to spurring economic growth, immigration helps address the challenges our country faces with an ageing population, and plays a crucial role in keeping our country at the forefront of the global economy.
“The new multi-year immigration levels plan supports Canadian employers and businesses by ensuring they have the skilled labour they need to spur innovation and help to keep our country at the forefront of the global economy. Building on the strong foundation set out last year and continuing to increase economic immigration will help Canada stay competitive and attract talent from around the world.”
– The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Canada faces new challenges such as an ageing population and declining birth rate, and immigrants have helped address these by contributing to Canada’s labour force growth.
Canada is a world leader in managed migration with an immigration program based on non-discriminatory principles, where foreign nationals are assessed without regard to race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or gender. Immigration is a defining feature of Canada
Canada welcomed more than 286,000 permanent residents in 2017. Over half were admitted under Economic Class programs through express entry.
- In 2017, an ambitious plan for population growth was unveiled and 5,371,162 visitor travel documents were approved.
- In 2017-2018, international migration accounted for 80% of population growth. (Source: Statistics Canada)
- 93% of immigrants have knowledge of English or French. (Source: Census 2016)
- In 2016-2017, international students and visitors contributed over $31 billion to the Canadian economy.
- Over 130% increase in citizenship applications from October 2017 to June 2018.
- In 2017, Canada admitted 65,417 new permanent residents in the Economic Class through the Express Entry application management system.
- 93% of immigrants have a strong sense of belonging to Canada. (Source: 2013 General Social Survey)
- In 2017, 39% of economic immigrants settled outside Montreal, Toronto, or Vancouver.
- In 2017, economic immigrants residing in Canada for at least 5 years exceeded Canadian average earnings by 6% and were 15-24% more likely to be working than Canadian-born residents.
- In 2017, 56% of permanent resident admissions were in the Economic Class.
