Canada boosts immigration to improve its economy in the face of a workforce deficit.
Canada is now experiencing a unique labor crisis, with roughly one million employment openings.
Canada will boost the planned number of immigrants to 485,000 in 2024 and 500,000 in 2025.
Amid a labor deficit, Canada has drastically increased the number of immigrants entering the country. The nation published its Immigration Levels Plan 2023–2025, outlining its goal of welcoming 465,000 new immigrants in 2023.
Following that, Canada’s goal number of immigrants will be increased to 485,000 in 2024, and 500,000 in 2025.
Canada is now experiencing a labor shortage as well as roughly one million job openings. These are the two most important aspects of the country’s expanding immigration goals.
Labor shortages are exacerbated by Canada’s low birth rate of 1.4 children per woman, which is among the lowest in the world. The country boasts one of the oldest populations on the planet. By 2030, approximately nine million Canadians, or about a quarter of the population, will have reached retirement age.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praised the immigration strategy. Trudeau stated on LinkedIn, “This strategy defines how we will improve our objectives in the years ahead, and it cements our status among the world’s top talent destinations.”
“Immigration helps drive economic development, helps companies locate the people they need, and helps us meet labor shortages,” Trudeau continued.
The country set an all-time immigration record of over 405,000 immigrants in 2021 and expects to receive almost 432,000 this year.
With the present growth in the target population for immigration, Canada anticipates an increase in Express Entry and Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs).
The bulk of new permanent residents enters the country through economic class programs such as those offered by the Express Entry system or through PNPs.
According to CIC News, the number of target Express Entry landings (primary applicants, wives, and dependents) will increase in the following ways:
82,880 by 2023, 109,020 by 2024, and 114,000 by 2025
In addition, the PNP will rise to:
110,000 in 2024, 117,500 in 2025, and 105,500 in 2023
Higher The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) admission: Following the economic class program, family class sponsorship is the Immigration Levels Plan’s second biggest permanent resident class.
Applicants are sponsored for permanent residence through this scheme by a spouse, partner, children, or other family members.
According to reports, Canada will accept approximately 80,000 new immigrants per year through the spouses, partners, and children programs. The Parents and Grandparents Program’s targets will rise to 28,500 in 2023, 34,000 in 2024, and 36,000 in 2025.
Canada’s immigration plan:
Canada’s current immigration strategy took shape in the 1980s. Less than 90,000 immigrants arrived in Canada in 1984. During the 1990s, the Conservative government of Canada saw an imminent labor shortage and upped immigration objectives to 250,000 new permanent residents in eight years.
Until the current Liberal government entered office in 2015, Canada admitted around 260,000 immigrants each year. The objectives were raised to 300,000, then to 340,000 just before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Canada welcomed almost 405,000 immigrants last year, breaking its record. By the end of 2022, Canada expects to welcome roughly 432,000 newcomers.
Canada Express Entrance Score:
The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score for Canada’s Express Entry draw just fell below 500 for the first time since December 2020. This time, 4,750 applicants with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 496 were invited. The CRS has fallen below 500 for the first time since the drawings commenced. The score was 468 on December 23, 2020, the last time it was this low.
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will be able to increase the number of ITAs for permanent residents in Canada by reducing the CRS score.