The 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plans were announced by Canada today. “The highest level of immigration in the history” will be targeted by Canada.
Canada will seek to accept new permanent immigrants at the following level over the next three years:
– 2021: 401,000 immigrants
– 2022: 411,000 immigrants
– 2023: 421,000 immigrants
In 1913, back when Canada welcomed 401,000 newcomers, it was the only time Canada received over 400,000 immigrants in a year. Never again did it come close to this figure.
Under economic class programs, the Immigration Levels Plan for 2021-2023 intends to accept about 60 percent of all immigrants through both the Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program. In the context of immigration, the Immigration Levels Plan is the most significant announcement issued each year by the Government of Canada. It addresses the amount of potential permanent immigrants to be accepted by Canada over the coming years, as well as in what categories Canada targets to welcome them. Under the following categories, Canada welcomes immigrants:
– Economic,
– Family,
– Refugee, and
– Humanitarian & Compassionate grounds.
The federal government stated earlier this year, on March 12, that Canada will seek to accept over one million new permanent residents between 2020 and 2022. Days later, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada had to close its borders. As a consequence, Canada expects to fall well-shy of the 341,000 immigration target it set for this year. However, since the pandemic, it has frequently conducted Express Entry draws that will most certainly result in Canada exceeding this year’s Express Entry record. Furthermore, drawings from the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) remain ongoing.
To prepare for this year’s downturn in immigration, Canada has marked out one of the most ambitious plans for immigration levels in its history.
Why Canada is maintaining high immigration
To counter the negative economic and fiscal effects of its aging population and low birth rate, Canada continues to maintain high levels of immigration.
Canada has one of the senior populations in the world, with about 18% of the population being 65 years of age and older. At 1.47 births per woman, it also has one of the world’s lowest birth rates. As such, in the future, Canada will face the pressures of rising its economy and encouraging government spending. By accepting more immigrants to help the labour market and economic development, these problems can be alleviated.
Canada has accepted at least 300,000 immigrants in a year just five times since its establishment in 1867. It presently accepts 0.9 percent of its immigrant population, which is three times more than the per capita acceptance of newcomers in the United States. At about the same point, Canada has had a higher per capita intake in the past, accepting immigrants to 1% or more of the population, something that it did frequently – in the decades before the First World War.
The immigration record of Canada was set in 1913 when 401,000 immigrants were welcomed, which was over 5% of its population among newcomers. A 5 percent intake of newcomers today will result in 2 million new immigrants moving to Canada.
Canadian Immigration During Covid-19
Canada is experiencing a decline in the amount of new permanent landings in the country in 2020, while admission targets are increasing. Compared to August 2019, there were 64 percent fewer new permanent residents accepted in August. This is largely attributed to the number of individuals that have been accepted for permanent residency but were unable to move to Canada until their immigration documents expired due to travel limits and other disruptions involved with coronavirus.
According to an Environics Institute study, public immigration funding in Canada has risen over the course of the pandemic. Canadians report that immigration makes Canada a stronger nation by a five-to-one margin, and they are more inclined to suggest this is because it makes it a more varied and multicultural place to live. Another study by the Association of Canadian Studies showed that Canadians typically see immigration as good for long-term economic recovery, but want to see immigration priority granted to family members.
Want to immigrate to Canada? Find out the immigration applications are currently being accepted in the COVID-19 outbreak or get in touch with immigration consultants in India.
