Immigration Announcement
Canada to Accept More Than 1 Million New Immigrants in 2019-2021
According to the 2018 tabled Annual Report to the parliament by the immigration minister Ahmed Hussen, the ICCRC plans to accept new permanent residents numbering in upwards of 1 million in the years 2019 to 2021.
The Annual Report details plan to admit as many as 1,080,000 new permanent residents in the next three years, with the upper target of 2021 at 370,000 which is 84,000 more people than the 286,000 in 2017.
“Immigrants and their descendants have made immeasurable contributions to Canada, and our future success depends on continuing to ensure they are welcomed and well-integrated.”, said Hussen, a former Somali refugee, while introducing the report. According to the new report, more than six million new immigrants have arrived in Canada since 1990, and one in five people living in Canada was originally from another country.
(The Canadian government’s immigration plan Image source: Government of Canada)
Retiree Section of the Population
Hussen added,” With an aging population and low fertility rates, immigration plays an important role in ensuring that Canada’s population and labor force continue to grow.”
The aging population in Canada is growing and immigration seems to be the key to strengthen the Canadian workforce and in turn its economy. The average immigrant that comes to Canada is fairly young and this could help offset the aging demographic in favor of the nation’s development. According to the report, compared to 2012’s worker to retiree ratio of 4.2:1, 2036 is predicted to see a ratio of 2:1 which is worrisome.
“Growing immigration levels, particularly in the Economic Class, will help us sustain our labor force, support economic growth and spur innovation.” About 48% of the highest target of admissions for 2021 will occur under the various Economic Programs so as to fill the skilled labor requirements.
Canada ranked 12th in the World Economic Global Competitiveness Report 2018, with an incredible score of 100 in the macroeconomic stability area. In terms of the most diverse workforce, the nation topped the list.
Resettling of Refugees
(Immigration to Canada by type between 2015 and 2017. Image source: Government of Canada)
Over half of total immigrants admitted in 2017 were comprised of those under the Economic Class programs. 44,000 of those were resettled refugees taken under humanitarian and compassionate grounds as per considerations based on public policy.
The Immigration Levels Plan of 2019-2021 is expected to admit higher numbers of refugees of people displaced by war or coups. Around 43,000 will be admitted in 2019 all the way to high targets of 64,500 in 2021.
The UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi holds Canada in high regard calling it a world leader in immigration policies with “extraordinary generosity, openness, and willingness” to help refugees find a home. He reported that the total number robbed of their homes is at a record of 68.5 million in 2017.
Canada’s effort in resettling refugees of war is a tiny part of the combined efforts of the world to eradicate this problem. With over 1.19 million new refugees who need to be resettled by the end of 2017, the nation has its work cut out for itself and as has been the case, you can count on Canada to find a way.
