The Canadian Government has made known its intentions to bring in more than 1.2 million immigrants over the next three years in an effort to boost the country’s economic recovery from the effects of COVID-19.
This was announced on Friday, October 30, by the Immigration Minister, Marco Mendicino, in Canada’s Immigration Levels Plans for 2021-2023.
Mendicino stated that the federal government aims to accept 401,000 new permanent residents in 2021, another 411,000 in 2022, and then 421,000 in 2023 while speaking at a news conference in Ottawa.
He also added that the numbers also aim to compensate for the shortfall this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and represents about one per cent of Canada’s population.
Mendicino said that immigrants drive the population and economic growth that pays for vital programs such as health care.
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“Put simply, we need more workers, and immigration is the way to get there.
“Before the pandemic, our government’s goal to drive the economy forward through immigration was ambitious. Now it’s simply vital”, he said.
Mendicino declared his confidence over the government’s ability to meet set targets despite the COVID-19 pandemic, by working around travel restrictions while adhering to safety measures such as mandatory quarantines for immigrants coming in.
“With nearly 60 per cent of all new admissions in the economic class, our plan will continue to focus on Canada’s economic growth,” the Minister said.
He further gave the breakdown of next year’s plan which includes:
- 232,000 immigrants in the economic class.
- 103,500 in the family class.
- 59,500 refugees and protected persons.
- 5,500 on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.