340,000 immigrants a year by 2020

The federal Liberal government has sought  to bring more stability into Canada’s immigration system by introducing a plan that sets out a gradual rise in admissions over the next three years. Canada is set to see an increase of 13 percent in overall immigration numbers by 2020. It is expected that vast majority would be coming through

economic programs designed to address skills shortages and gaps in the labour market as the population ages and the birth rate declines.

Beginning with 310,000 new permanent residents in 2018, and growing to 330,000 in 2019 and 340,000 in 2020, this plan sets out the most ambitious immigration levels in recent history. This measured, gradual increase will trend towards one percent of the population by 2020, spurring innovation and representing a major investment in Canada’s prosperity, now and into the future.

At 340,000 people, the increase by 2020 represents the highest intake since before the First World War, though it stops short of the 450,000 target suggested by the government’s economic advisory council in a report last year. Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said the plan is the right mix for Canada, for now. The gradual increase over time was designed so the system could adjust, he said. “Bringing a newcomer to Canada is half of the job; we have to make sure people are being given the tools they need to succeed once they get here,” Hussen shared with media in Toronto.

“We have to make sure we have the absorptive capacity, we have to make sure that our partners on the ground with the settlement and integration processes that they engage in every day have the tools necessary so they can plan ahead, so they can adjust to the numbers,” the minister added. He linked this expected high number of immigrants to better economic situation in Canada and said, “This historic multi-year immigration levels plan will benefit all Canadians because immigrants will contribute their talents to support our economic growth and innovation, helping to keep our country at the forefront of the global economy.”