Canada reveals its 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan. The country is set to target the highest level of immigration in the history of the nation.
In the next three years, Canada seeks to welcome different levels of new permanent residents:
- 2021: 401,000 immigrants
- 2022: 411,000 immigrants
- 2023: 421,000 immigrants
To date, Canada has welcomed more than 400,000 immigrants since 1913. That year 401,000 newcomers were welcomed by the country. Canada has never been close to this figure.
The 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan wishes to invite around 60% of the total immigrants under the economic class programs. This will include through channels like PNP and Express Entry (EE).
Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan is a major immigration announcement by the government each year. It summarizes the number of new permanent residents Canada’s aim to welcome in the coming years. It states the different categories Canada wishes to accept them under.
Canada welcomes new immigrants under these categories:
- Refugee
- Family
- Economic
- Humanitarian and compassionate grounds
Table 1
On March 12, there was an announcement by the federal government revealing Canada’s aim to welcome more than a million new permanent residents between 2020 and 2022. Unfortunately, within days they had to shut their borders due to the pandemic.
Due to this pandemic, Canada may fall short of its target of inviting 341,000 immigrants this year. Nonetheless, Canada has been holding several EE draws throughout the pandemic.
This will help Canada break its own EE record this year. In addition, PNP draws remain in progress. To make up for the shortage of immigrants, Canada plans the most aspiring Immigration Levels Plan to date.
Why Is Canada Keeping High Levels of Immigration?
Canada is keeping high levels of immigration in the years to come. This will balance the negative fiscal and economic impacts of its low birth rate and aging population.
Canada is popular for having one of the world’s oldest populations. Close to 18% of its total population is 65 years and above.
Canada even has the world’s lowest birth rates. It has a birth rate of 1.47 births per woman. Due to this data, the country will face challenges in its endeavor to grow its economy and support government spending in the days to come.
It is simple to get rid of these challenges by inviting more immigrants. This will support economic growth and the labor force.
Since the founding of Canada in 1867, it has welcomed a minimum of 300,000 immigrants each year five times. At present, the country is welcoming 0.9% of its total population of immigrants.
This data is three times higher than the per capita immigrant intake in the US.
Canada had a higher per capita intake in the past. It has welcomed a minimum of 1% of its population of immigrants. This is something that the country has been achieving in the years before the First World War.
Canada met its immigration target in 1913 after welcoming 401,000 immigrants that year. It was more than 5% of its total population of immigrants. In today’s time, a 5% immigrant intake will result in 2 million newcomers landing on Canadian soil.
Table 2
Canadian Immigration during Covid
Although the admission targets are climbing, Canada is facing a drop in its number of new permanents arriving in the country this year. In August, there were 64% lesser new permanent residents accepted compared to the same time last year.
This is due to the number of people approved for permanent residence but failed to travel to the country due to the travel restrictions. As a result, their immigration documents expired.
In Canada, public support towards immigration has gone up over the course of the recent pandemic. By a margin of five-to-one, Canadians support the idea of immigration.
They believe that it makes Canada a better country. The reason behind such a belief is immigrants help to make Canada a more multicultural and diverse place to live.
Association of Canadian Studies reveals that Canadian find immigration to be positive. It helps in long-term economic recovery. However, they prefer to see family members given more priority for immigration.
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