‘Skilled workers, care givers’ — Canada targets 485,000 immigrants in 2024

Canada has announced new immigration levels plan for skilled workers, caregivers, families, and other classes.

In a statement on Wednesday, the citizenship and immigration Canada (CIC) said the North American country will target the admission of 485,000 new immigrants.

“In 2025 and 2026, Canada will look to welcome 500,000 new immigrants in each year,” the statement added.

According to the Canadian government, the immigration plans will be for economic, family, refugee, and humanitarian classes.

Categories of the economic classes include high-skilled workers, business owners, and caregivers, while the family option of the immigration plan covers parents, children, and grandparents.

The economic category of the immigration plan recorded the highest slots with about 281,135 immigrants in 2024 – 58 percent of the country’s annual target.

“By 2026, this will rise to 301,250 immigrants, or 60% of the annual target,” the statement added.

Economic immigrants are selected for their skills and ability to contribute to Canada’s economy.

“This plan is tailored to support economic growth while balancing with the pressures in areas like housing, healthcare and infrastructure,” the Canadian government said.

“It charts a responsible course for sustainable and stable population growth.”

“Starting in 2026, the government will stabilize permanent resident levels at 500,000, allowing time for successful integration, while continuing to augment Canada’s labour market.

“The government also plans to take action over the next year to recalibrate the number of temporary resident admissions to ensure this aspect of our immigration system also remains sustainable.”

WHY IS CANADA SEEKING IMMIGRANTS?

Owing to a low birth rate, Canada has continued to record low rates of labour force which in turn, slows down economic growth.

Low economic growth makes it difficult for Canada to raise the taxes it needs to support social spending on services such as education, health care, and other important areas that provide high living standards in the country.

As such, the country heavily relies on economic immigration as a major driver of its revenue.

In 2022, Sean Fraser, Canada’s minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship, said the country was looking to welcome 1,450,000 migrants between 2023 and 2025 to tackle the problem of labour shortage.

In May, Fraser announced the introduction of faster temporary resident visa (TRV) processing and more considerate application measures.