Canada’s goal in 2017 was to bring 300,000 new Permanent Residents into the country. A high percentage of the number was to come from the economic class (58%). In 2018, the federal government aims to increase the number of newcomers to 310,000.
This increase is expected to continue up to the year 2020. The target for the planned 2018 immigrants represents less than 1% of the total population of Canada.
The trend regarding the classes of immigrants accepted is likely to remain the same, as follows (from highest to lowest):
• Economic class, e.g., professionals, caregivers, skilled laborers
• Family Class
• Refugee and humanitarian cases
The Honourable Ahmed D. Hussen, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (the man in charge of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada), says that it will become standard to receive 300,000 arrivals into the country. The opposition has reservations about these figures though. They call into question the country’s ability to integrate and settle new arrivals.
However, a recent report from the Conference Board of Canada argues that it would be best to reach the figure of 450,000 arrivals by 2025. The economic advisor to the Federal government had recommended increasing the levels of immigration by 50% each year.
If this recommendation is implemented, then those looking to immigrate to Canada, have a reason to smile.