Backgrounder: Businesses and communities across Canada to benefit from increased immigration

Our immigration system has helped make Canada the nation it is today – one that is diverse, prosperous and welcoming to those in need. Immigration spurs innovation and economic growth and supports the development of diverse, dynamic and innovative businesses and communities across the country.

Economic immigration, in particular, helps Canada stay competitive and attract talent from around the world. Immigrants bring unique skill sets, innovative ideas and global experience, which help our economy grow and prosper.

That’s why the new 2019-2021 immigration levels plan remains focused on attracting the best and brightest from around the world, with the majority of the increase allotted to high-skilled economic immigration. In fact, 72% of additional admissions are allocated to economic programs in 2021. Building on the strong foundation laid out in last year’s levels plan, the 2019-2021 levels plan continues to responsibly grow the number of permanent residents Canada welcomes annually to 330,800 in 2019, 341,000 in 2020 and 350,000 in 2021.

The new plan outlines a steady increase that will continue to trend towards one percent of the population by 2021, representing a major investment in Canada’s prosperity, now and into the future. This plan helps to ensure that Canada continues to reap the economic, social and cultural benefits of immigration.

In fact, the many benefits of immigration are already apparent in communities across the country. To showcase the positive impacts of immigration, the government recently launched the Immigration Matters initiative. The Initiative demonstrates, using real life examples, how immigration not only reunites families, but also helps Canadian employers and businesses meet their diverse labour-market needs to spur economic growth and create new jobs in local communities across the country.

In addition to spurring economic growth, immigration helps address the challenges our country faces with an ageing population, and plays a crucial role in keeping our country at the forefront of the global economy.