The federal government of Canada will continue to increase the number of immigrants to Canada over the next three years. By 2022, more than a million new arrivals are expected.
Federal Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino announced immigration rates on Thursday that Canada will have 341,000 permanent residents in 2020, 351,000 next year and 361,000 in 2022.
Canada to increase immigration
By 2022, new permanent residents of the year will make up one percent of the population in Canada, Mendicino said.
“Our plan will benefit all Canadians as immigration drives economic growth, adds diversity, stimulates innovation, and helps employers across the country find the talent they need to succeed and succeed,” said he said Mendicino.
The liberals and conservatives before them have been trying to increase the number of permanent residents for years. 2018 was the first time since 1913 that more than 300,000 people with 318,000 new permanent residents were admitted to the country. In the past year, this number has increased to just over 341,000, exceeding the government’s target.
The Liberal’s latest immigration plan also includes promises to honor the commitments made in the autumn election campaign.
This includes the permanent establishment of a pilot project with which Atlantic Canada was able to select its own permanent residents and create a new program for the resettlement of human rights defenders, journalists and vulnerable helpers. During the campaign, the Liberals promised to host up to 250 people for the program, but Mendicino was unable to provide details on how it worked on Thursday.
In total, Canada plans to settle 49,700 refugees and other protected people in 2020, a number welcomed by the representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Ottawa.
“Canada continues to show leadership in a critical time when the needs of refugees are increasing worldwide,” said Rema Jamous Imseis in a statement.
“This is great news not only for Canada today but also for future generations as refugees make a significant contribution to our country’s economy and communities.”
The vast majority of permanent residents are admitted according to a predominant trend towards economic programs.
Mendicino said the government remains committed to family reunification and will announce a new version of its parent and grandparent visa program in the coming weeks. Admission to the program has been suspended this year while the government is considering a new application system.
This Canadian press report was first published on March 13, 2020.