Today, on November 1, 2023, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced Canada’s New Immigration levels plan for 2024–2026.
The following is Minister Miller’s official announcement; a breakdown of the Annual Target by Category is included below the video.
You Can Watch The Announcement Here👇
Today at 11:30 am EST (Toronto time), Quebec has confirmed that the immigration levels for the years 2024 and 2025 will be held unchanged at 50,000.
You can watch the full announcement from Quebec by clicking here
New Canada Immigration Targets
Canada will keep the immigration levels plan for the subsequent years the same. By 2024, it shows that the country is targeting 485,000 newcomers. Canada would, therefore, have a target in 2025 and 2026 to 500,000 newcomers a year.
Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026
| Immigration Class | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economic | 281,135 | 301,250 | 301,256 |
| Family | 114,000 | 118,000 | 118,000 |
| Refugee | 76,115 | 72,750 | 72,750 |
| Humanitarian | 13,750 | 8,000 | 8,000 |
| Total | 485,000 | 500,000 | 500,000 |
“These levels add to the 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan. Today’s new information is about the 2026 target. The number of immigrants admitted for each class and program between 2024 and 2026 was also updated.
Canada’s 2024–2026 Immigration Levels Plan
Breakdown Of Immigration Targets By Class:
Here’s a breakdown of the immigration targets by class:
Economic Class:
The economic class is on a path to draw about 281,135 in 2024, or approximately 58% of the annual target. In 2026, this number is expected to rise to 301,250 immigrants, making up about 60% of the target.
Family Class:
While under the family class, the target set for 2024 is 114,000 immigrants, accounting for 24% of all admissions. This target will raise again to 4,000 immigrants in 2026, leading to a total of 118,000 in number; however, this will still be at 24%.
Humanitarian Admissions:
Humanitarian targets: 89,865 by 2024, accounting for 19% of all admissions. This category is made up of refugees, protected persons, and those admitted for humanitarian, compassionate, or other reasons. This category will be decreased to 80,832 in 2026, 16% of the admissions.
Please note that the percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.
Express Entry and PNP Targets Increases
The Express Entry program will aim to admit 110,700 permanent residents in 2024. Additionally, the numbers will increase to 117,500 in 2025 and 2026. “Similarly, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) will have a target of 110,000 admissions in 2024, which will increase to 120,000 in 2025 and again remain at 120,000 in 2026.”.
It aims to admit 82,000 immigrants in the category of spousal, partner, and children sponsorship in 2024 and then to increase the numbers in the subsequent years, 2025 and 2026, to 84,000 each year. In the interim, the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is targeting 32,000 admissions in 2024, followed by 34,000 in both 2025 and 2026.
Canada’s Immigration Strategy
The Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026 was introduced a day after Canada revealed its updated immigration strategy. On October 31, Immigration Minister Marc Miller acknowledged the deficiencies in the existing immigration system while outlining the fundamental principles of a new strategy aimed at its modernization.
This fresh approach, titled “An Immigration System for Canada’s Future,” focuses on three key objectives:
- Enhancing the newcomer experience to make it more inclusive and inviting.
- Aligning immigration policies with the requirements of the labor market.
- Creating a comprehensive plan for future growth and development.
Yesterday, on October 31st, Marc Miller announced that immigrants are not responsible for the housing crisis.
Jump to:
Addressing Concerns and Criticisms
Though some critics have raised concerns, the government has promised to carefully balance immigration policies with any ongoing housing crisis and affordability concerns.
While maintaining high targets for immigration, specific policies and measures may be taken to respond to these concerns and foster a smooth integration process among newcomers.
Addressing Labor Shortages:
One of the key priorities of the 2024–2026 Canada Immigration Levels Plan is responding to labor shortages in every sector, but acutely in construction and the skilled trades.
The new plan will be about sourcing professionals who will fill in those labor gaps and contribute to the country’s infrastructure development.
What To Expect From The Announcement
While the official announcement is yet to be made, there are speculations and possibilities regarding the upcoming Immigration Levels Plan for 2024-2026:
- Increased Targets: There is a likelihood of immigration targets being raised even further to accommodate the growing demand for skilled professionals.
- Category Adjustments: To meet specific sectoral needs, there might be adjustments in the allocation of immigration numbers among various categories, ensuring a balanced approach.
- Unlikely Reduction: A reduction in annual targets seems improbable, given the ongoing demand for skilled workers and the economic benefits of immigration.
