Immigration Minister Sean Fraser shares his thoughts on Canada's future permanent residence levels. "It's not a point of pride that I have to be the minister that gets to 500,000...what's important to me is that I'm meeting the needs of communities."
Minister Sean Fraser believes Canada’s immigration levels will surpass 500,000 per year “sooner rather than later”, but the minister cautioned that future increases must be done in a careful manner that supports the needs of communities across the country.
Canada now seeking over 430,000 immigrants annually
Prior to the pandemic, Canada was seeking over 340,000 new immigrants per year but immigration fell in 2020 due to travel restrictions and Canadian government officials needing to work remotely. In October 2020, Canada announced it would seek over 400,000 immigrants annually beginning in 2021 to support its post-COVID economic recovery. Canada ended up exceeding its target by landing a record 405,000 new permanent residents last year.
In February, Fraser tabled Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024. Canada is now seeking over 430,000 immigrants per year and will target 450,000 by 2024.
Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025: Over 500,000 new permanent residents per year?
Fraser is due to announce updated targets yet again by this November 1st, when he announces the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025.
The minister said "We’re growing in excess of 1% of our population through the existing track. That trajectory is going to continue. I don’t know the exact year we’re going to cross that threshold [500,000 immigrants per year]. It’s going to be based on the needs of communities.”
“It’s not a point of pride that I have to be the minister that gets to 500,000…what’s important to me is that I’m meeting the needs of communities and giving them the opportunity to experience success through our immigration system. If that means we have to welcome 500,000 new permanent residents in a calendar year, then that’s great. And I’m very happy to advance that.”
- Part 1: Express Entry all-program draws tentatively resuming on July 6
- Part 2: Immigration Minister Sean Fraser discusses Express Entry reforms
- Part 3: Immigration Minister: Applicants can soon expect normal service standards
- Part 4: No date set for IRCC to waive Canadian citizenship application fees
- legalizing undocumented workers in Canada
- creating more immigration pathways for foreign workers and students
