Ottawa: The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship has today released Canada’s 2023–2025 Immigration Levels Plan and aims to welcome 465,000 new immigrants in 2023.
Last year, Canada broke its all-time immigration record by welcoming 405,000 newcomers in a single year.
Now, the government sets targets in the new levels plan of 465,000 permanent residents in 2023, 485,000 in 2024 and 500,000 in 2025.
The plan also brings an increased focus on attracting newcomers to different regions of the country, including small towns and rural communities.
Under the plan, the Canadian government’s focus is on economic growth, with just over 60% of admissions in the economic class by 2025 by new features in the Express Entry system and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to welcome newcomers with the required skills and qualifications in sectors facing acute labour shortages including health care, skilled trades, manufacturing and technology.
Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship in a statement said, “Last year, we welcomed the most newcomers in a single year in our history. This year’s immigration levels plan will help businesses find the workers they need, set Canada on a path that will contribute to our long-term success, and allow us to make good on key commitments to vulnerable people fleeing violence, war and persecution.”