CIMM – Narrative – Annual Report and Immigration Levels – November 29, 2022
Annual Report on Immigration
Immigration is critical to Canada’s economy and its population growth to meet its labour market needs. It is also how Canada reunites families and proudly maintains its standing as a leading refugee resettlement country. Making immigration work for Canada and Canadians is a complex undertaking.
Even with the difficulties posed by the pandemic and multiple humanitarian crises, the Department continued to meet its commitments across its many lines of business through this unprecedented period of uncertainty and change.
In 2021, Canada welcomed the most immigrants in a single year in its history, with nearly 406,000 permanent residents in the economic, family reunification, and refugee/humanitarian streams. This was a remarkable achievement and relied on robust collaboration and partnership among all levels of government and civil society.
Over 191,000 work and study permit holders transitioned from temporary to permanent resident status. We welcomed over 415,000 temporary work permit holders and over 445,000 study permit holders. These newcomers increase the diversity of Canadian communities, strengthen our economy and grow our learning institutions. These are encouraging numbers, but we know there is room for improvement.
2023-2025 Levels Plan
Immigration is essential to Canada’s long-term economic growth. It accounts for almost 100% of labour force growth, and by 2032, it is projected to account for 100% of population growth. Immigrants help employers meet their labour needs.
The reality is that Canadians are living longer and having fewer children. This has an impact on our economy—not just today, but in the years and decades ahead. This is why Canada needs to increase the number of immigrants we welcome each year. Put simply, increased immigration means more people in Canada participating in our workforce, contributing to our social programs, and growing our communities.
Economic immigration fills critical labour shortages throughout the country in key sectors and across all skill levels. It will help position Canada’s labour force for today’s challenges and those of the future.
Why Higher Numbers
This multi-year levels plan will position Canada to address current labour shortages, and attract new skilled workers. Increasing immigration helps address long-standing challenges, such as decreasing worker to retiree ratio, a low fertility rate, and labour shortages, which will continue to affect us even after the side effects of the pandemic subside.
Our well-managed immigration system allows us to attract the world’s top talent while offsetting the effects of an aging population. Immigration spurs innovation that leads to job creation. In the long term, without immigration, demographic trends will result in fewer workers to support our aging population. For context, some 50 years ago there were seven workers for every retiree in Canada. Today there’s about three and it will be closer to two in approximately 20 years.
Why Not More To Address Labour Shortages
Immigration only works if we ensure that immigrants integrate and contribute to our economy and our communities. Canada’s immigration system is unique as we place great emphasis on providing assistance to recently arrived immigrants to make sure their transition is smooth. Settlement services, such as language training, employment services, and newcomer orientation, are linked to immigrant success.
Increasing annual immigration admissions in a responsible way ensures that we are calibrating growth with the capacity of our infrastructure and partners to deliver services needed for successful long-term integration. Having adequate investment in settlement, housing, public services is paramount to not only the newcomers’ long-term success, but also in ensuring we are delivering the same level of services to all Canadians and that country thrives.
Housing
Rural and northern communities face specific economic and demographic challenges, including out-migration of youth, aging populations, and labour market shortages. This makes it difficult for them to meet their labour market needs, which in turn hinders economic growth. At the same time, most new immigrants settle in large urban centres, missing where housing and cost of living is less affordable. With this in mind, the Government of Canada works closely with both our municipal and provincial partners in developing our annual Immigration Levels Plan and encourages newcomers to settle in smaller, rural communities, through our regional immigration pilots and programs.
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