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Canada will welcome more than one million new permanent residents in the next three years.

This was unveiled today in the federal government鈥檚 2020-2022 Immigration Levels Plan.

Canada continues its approach to gradually increase immigration levels. This is likely to give stakeholders time to adequately plan to support a larger population.

Whereas Canada welcomed 320,000 newcomers in 2018, and 341,000 immigrants in 2019, it is again targeting the admissions of 341,000聽immigrants in 2020.

It is aiming to welcome an additional 351,000 in 2021, and another 361,000 in 2022. The plan provides Canada with the scope to welcome up to 390,000 immigrants in 2022.

The most significant revelation from the announcement is Canada鈥檚 target for 2022 since today is the first time such information has become publicly available.

In 2017, Canada reintroduced multi-year levels plans after the first attempt between 1982-1984 was disrupted by a recession.

The return to multi-year plans is meant to help stakeholders such as urban planners forecast what steps they need to take to support the economic and social integration of newcomers.

The higher levels are meant to alleviate the economic and fiscal pressures Canada is facing due to its aging population and low birth rate. More than 9 million Canadians will reach retirement age in the next decade which means Canada will become even more dependent on immigrants to maintain a healthy workforce and economy.

Economic class to lead the way

Canada will continue to admit the balance of its newcomers under the economic class, with 58 per cent set to arrive through the likes of , , , and other federal streams such as (AIP). Most of the growth will come from the economic class, as its target is going to rise by nearly 10,000 immigrants each year.

Compared with 2019, the government is increasing its PNP admission target by 20 per cent in 2022. Canada is also slated to welcome more immigrants under various pilots. It is aiming to welcome 5,200 under pilots such as the and the . It may end up nearly doubling its intake under these pilots by 2022.

Although the AIP is set to become a permanent program, the federal government is keeping its AIP targets stable at 5,000 during the plan.

Quebec鈥檚 levels are yet to be determined for 2021 and 2022, as the federal government waits to consult with Quebec in light of the major reforms the province is currently undertaking to its immigration system.

In addition, 26 per cent will be welcomed under the family class, while the remaining 16 per cent will be admitted on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. There will be no growth under the family class. The government has set the same target for family class immigration of 91,000 newcomers over the coming three years. There will be minimal growth for those admitted for humanitarian and compassionate purposes.

Canada鈥檚 immigration levels: Past, present and future

Canada鈥檚 current immigration levels are high by historical standards. The country has welcomed 300,000 immigrants or more just five times since its founding back in 1867. On a per-capita basis, Canada鈥檚 levels are also high, as it is now welcoming 0.9 per cent of its population in immigrants. By way of comparison, the United States has welcomed an average of one million immigrants annually in recent times. However, that figure represents just 0.3 per cent of its population.

On the other hand, Canada鈥檚 current per capita intake is by no stretch the highest in its history. In the decades leading up to the First World War, Canada regularly welcomed at least one per cent of its population in immigrants. At its peak, Canada welcomed 401,000 immigrants or 5.3 per cent of its population. In modern terms, a 5.3 per cent intake would mean welcoming two million immigrants to Canada.

Canada continues to increase its immigration levels to support its high living standards. The aging of its society will weaken labour force and economic growth as its fiscal costs in areas such as health care rise. Delivering quality health care to its aging population will become even more expensive. Immigration will help to grow the size of Canada鈥檚 labour force, giving Canada a steady supply of people to contribute to its economy as workers, consumers, and taxpayers.

Today鈥檚 announcement is part of a broader trend that will likely see Canada continue to boost immigration and eventually break the 400,000-newcomer threshold. The country is poised to welcome some 3.5 million immigrants this decade, compared with 2.8 million between 2010-2019.

All told, however, demographic and economic circumstances are just one of the six factors that will shape the future of Canada鈥檚 immigration levels.

By November, the Canadian government will table its next immigration levels plan, which may contain its target for 2023.

2020-2022 Immigration Levels Plan

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