Infographic: Immigration and Economic Growth

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Immigration and Economic Growth

Growing the economy through immigration

75 % of Canada’s population growth comes from immigration, mostly in the economic category.

3-year plan sets most ambitious immigration levels in recent history

  • 330,800 in 2019
  • 341,000 in 2020
  • 350,000 in 2021

About 6 in 10 immigrants are selected for their positive economic impact.

This measured, gradual increase will trend towards 1% of the population by 2021, spurring innovation and representing a major investment in Canada’s prosperity, now and into the future.

1971-2035: Fewer people working to support retires

In 1971, Canada’s worker to retiree ratio was about 7 to 1.

By 2035, when 5 million Canadians are set to retire, the ratio will be down to 2 to 1.

Text version of Immigration and Economic Growth: Page 2

Bringing the best and brightest to Canada

Express Entry

Since 2015, Express Entry has attracted almost 230,000 high-skilled foreign workers and former international students who want to live in Canada permanently, and whose in-demand skills are needed by employers.

The top 5 occupations of people invited to immigrate under Express Entry are:

  • Software engineers and designers
  • Information systems analysts
  • Computer programmers
  • Financial auditors and accountants
  • Advertising, marketing and public relations professional

Almost 54,000 former international students settled permanently in Canada in 2018, an all-time high.

Global Skills Strategy

Companies using the Global Talent Stream have committed to create 48,000+ jobs for Canadians and permanent residents and 12,500+ paid co-op positions, and investing more than $113 million in skills and training.

Launched in 2017, Canada’s Global Skills Strategy, including the Global Talent Stream, makes it easier for Canadian businesses to attract the talent they need to succeed in the global marketplace.

Over the first 2 years of the Global Skills Strategy, about 40,000 people benefitted from 2-week application processing.

The Global Skills Strategy has been a game-changer for employers. Take a look at the success of the strategy.

Text version of Immigration and Economic Growth: Page 3

Start-Up Visa Program

The Start-Up Visa Program helps immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada that are innovative, can create jobs for Canadians and compete on a global scale. Originally created as a pilot, it was made a permanent program in 2018 due to its success.

As of May 2019, more than 650 entrepreneurs and their family members have been approved for permanent residence. They represent about 200 start-ups that have been launched in Canada.

Innovative new pilots to meet diverse labour market needs

Canada has implemented pilots to test innovative and community-driven approaches to address diverse labour market needs across the country.

Atlantic Immigration Pilot

Aimed at ensuring the long-term retention and integration of newcomers in Atlantic Canada to help drive economic growth in the region.

A 3-year pilot first launched in 2017, it has been extended to 2021.

Permanent Resident Admissions to date: 1,499 principal applicants + 1,484 dependents = 2,983

Text version of Immigration and Economic Growth: Page 4

Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

This 5-year pilot aims to distribute the benefits of economic immigration to smaller communities by testing a new pathway to permanent residence for skilled immigrants.

  • In June 2019, 11 communities were selected to participate in the pilot.
  • The pilot will connect newcomers with local settlement services.
  • Newcomers are expected to begin arriving in 2020.

The selected communities are:

  • Thunder Bay (ON)
  • Sault Ste. Marie (ON)
  • Sudbury (ON)
  • Timmins (ON)
  • North Bay (ON)
  • Gretna-Rhineland-
  • Altona-Plum Coulee (MB)
  • Brandon (MB)
  • Moose Jaw (SK)
  • Claresholm (AB)
  • West Kootenay (BC)
  • Vernon (BC)

#immigrationmatters

Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots

2 new pilots that will help caregivers make Canada their permanent home were launched on June 18, 2019.

These 5-year pilots give caregivers and their families a clear, direct pathway to permanent residence, while making the hiring process simpler for Canadian families who need a caregiver for a loved one.

Through these new pilots, caregivers will also benefit from:

  • Occupation-specific work permits, rather than employer-specific, to allow for a fast change of employers when necessary
  • Open work permits and/or study permits for the caregivers’ immediate family to help families come to Canada together

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