On November 1, 2017 the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Ahmed Hussen, announced ambitious new targets for Canadian immigration over the next three years, with a particular emphasis on economic immigration. The multi-year plan sets a target of over 1 million immigrants by 2020.
Economic immigrants will make up almost 60% of new permanent residents admitted to Canada; most will immigrate through the Express Entry immigration system for skilled workers. Targets for the economic categories will continually grow every year until 2020. In 2018, the target will be 175,550 new economic immigrants, in 2019 the target will be 191,6000 and in 2020 the target will be 195,800 immigrants admitted under the economic category.
In addition to the Government of Canada targeting immigrants under the Federal Skilled Workers program, the Government will also aim for 51, 000 new immigrants to come through the Provincial Nominee Programs.
The Government of Canada hopes that bringing in highly skilled economic immigrants will support Canadian businesses and increase the labour market. With a slowly ageing population it is essential that Canada encourage immigrants that are highly skilled and can positively contribute to the Canadian economy. Immigrants drive innovation and help employers meet labour market needs. Higher immigration levels will also improve the operation of the immigration system by helping the IRCC to reduce and eliminate immigration backlogs and improve processing times.
Minister Hussen has been quoted as saying, “This historic multi-year immigration levels plan will benefit all Canadians because immigrants will contribute their talents to support our economic grown and innovation, helping to keep our country at the forefront of the global economy.”
The new immigration plan has received widespread support from various stakeholders, provides and service providers.
For more information on the Government of Canada’s Immigration Plan over the next three years, please click here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2017/11/news_release_growingcanadaseconomicfuture.html
