Canada is set to welcome a remarkable number of new permanent residents in 2023, surpassing its annual target as outlined in the immigration levels plan for the years 2023-2025. The latest official data from IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) as of August 10, 2023, indicates this positive trend.
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The Immigration Goal
In November 2022, the Canadian immigration department established a goal:
- 465,000 new permanent residents in 2023
- 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024
- Another 500,000 permanent residents in 2025
Early 2023 Highlights
- The first three months of 2023 (January through March) saw the arrival of 145,330 new permanent residents in Canada. This includes individuals who have already landed in the country, not just those with approved permanent residency by IRCC.
- The second quarter, from April to June, had a slightly lower number of new immigrants, totaling 117,730 across all categories.
Continuing the Trend
Despite the temporary slowdown in early 2023, the overall immigration count up to June reached 263,180. This leaves a requirement of approximately 202,000 more immigrants to meet the IRCC’s target for the remainder of the year.
Record-Breaking Possibility
At this pace, Canada is on track to achieve an all-time high of nearly 500,000 new permanent residents in 2023. This would mark a significant milestone for the country.
Diverse Arrival Patterns
While January 2023 saw the largest number of newcomers (50,920), subsequent months witnessed a relative decline. For instance, April 2023 welcomed 29,550 new permanent residents.
| Month | Number of New Immigrants |
|---|---|
| January | 50,920 |
| February | 49,660 |
| March | 44,865 |
| April | 29,550 |
| May | 45,975 |
| June | 42,205 |
| Total | 263,180 |
Number of New Immigrants in Each Province in 2023
Ontario, the largest and most populous province in Canada, has emerged as the most popular destination for newcomers. In the first half of 2023, Ontario welcomed an impressive 115,700 new permanent residents.
Other provinces that have been welcoming newcomers include British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, and Manitoba, together receiving 115,855 new residents during the same period.
| Province | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 115,700 | 184,960 |
| British Columbia | 41,770 | 61,245 |
| Alberta | 31,680 | 49,535 |
| Quebec | 27,670 | 68,720 |
| Manitoba | 14,735 | 21,685 |
| Saskatchewan | 14,000 | 21,675 |
| Nova Scotia | 6,400 | 12,650 |
| New Brunswick | 5,345 | 10,230 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 3,150 | 3,495 |
| Prince Edward Island | 1,970 | 2,670 |
| Yukon | 530 | 455 |
| Northwest Territories | 195 | 235 |
| Nunavut | 30 | 45 |
| Province/ Territory not stated | 5 | 20 |
| Total | 263,180 | 437,620 |
Key Immigration Programs
Almost 51% of the new immigrants who made Canada their home in 2023 did so through specific programs. These programs play a crucial role in attracting individuals to Canada.
Some of the key programs include:
- Agri-Food Pilot Program
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Caregiver programs
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program (RNIP)
- Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program
- Start-Up Visa program
- Self-Employed program
- Temporary Residence to Permanent Residence Pathway
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Immigration Targets: Looking Forward
Canada has no plans to reduce its immigration targets. The current levels, as stated by the new immigration minister, Marc Miller, are higher than ever before. In a recent news interview, he emphasized the importance of meeting the country’s immigration needs.
“I don’t see a world in which we lower it; the need is too great.
It is something that I need to look into to determine whether or not we should update them upward. However, I don’t think we’re in a position where we should be considering lowering them by any stretch of the imagination.”
IRCC Minister Marc Miller
Political Perspectives
The leader of the opposition, Pierre Poilievre, expressed different views. If the Conservative Party of Canada wins the next federal election, they intend to reduce the number of people allowed to immigrate to Canada.
Poilievre believes that factors such as the number of unfilled positions in the private sector, the demand to sponsor refugees from charitable organizations, and families wanting to reunite with loved ones should guide IRCC goals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Canada’s 2023 immigration trends indicate a record-breaking year for new permanent residents. The country’s commitment to its immigration targets remains steadfast, while various programs continue to attract individuals from around the world.
