September 22, 2017 – Federal, provincial and territorial governments have given another clear indication that Canada immigration levels will rise in 2018 after a recent forum.
There was also an indication that levels will be set for more than just one year after the recent Federal, Provincial and Territorial Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration.
A statement after the forum said: ‘Ministers reached consensus on the importance of multi-year levels planning and increasing immigration levels.”
The statement added: “A multi-year approach to levels planning would provide increased certainty and help inform long-term planning.”
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This fall could see the announcement of a longer-term immigration levels plan. Previously, the federal immigration minister set annual levels for the following year in each annual presentation to Parliament.
The outcome of the forum chimes with comments made of federal Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen recently, when he was asked if levels would be rising. “I can assure you it won’t drop,” Hussen told the Toronto Life magazine.
It shows Canada’s politicians understand how central immigration is to the future economic success of the country.
The statement spoke of how central newcomers are to addressing labour market needs, demographic challenges and in generating long-term economic growth.
Other topics covered in the forum included:
Asylum Seekers
The critical importance of a pan-Canadian approach to dealing with the current influx of asylum seekers, including enhanced intergovernmental collaboration to support orderly migration and scenarios planning, while protecting Canada’s border and the safety and security of Canadians. This year has seen more than 12,000 asylum seekers entering Canada primarily through Quebec and Manitoba.
Settlement Services
Enhanced collaboration across governments is needed to support the delivery of high-quality settlement services and successful outcomes for all newcomers. To this end, Ministers agreed to strengthen partnerships and explore new models for collaboration.
Excessive Demand
Ministers also discussed issues related to the federal Excessive Demand policy, and committed to continue the dialogue so that the policy continues to recognize the need to protect health, education and social services, while treating applicants fairly.
Francophone Immigration
Ministers reached consensus on the promotion of Francophone immigration to communities outside of Quebec with the goal of increasing Francophone immigration. Building on the momentum that was established in Moncton earlier this year, Ministers look forward to meeting with Francophonie ministers in 2018 in Ontario to assess progress.
Reviewing the 2017 Announcement
When the 2017 levels were announced, in late October 2016, the unchanged overall figure was reported as underwhelming by the national press.
But, importantly, the numbers saw an increase of more than 12,000 in the economic class, and 4,000 extra family class immigrants compared to 2016. Meanwhile, refugee numbers fell by 15,800 after a year in which Canada eventually welcomed more than 40,000 Syrians.
Before 2016, the last time Canada welcomed so many new immigrants in a calendar year was in the early 1910s. During the 10 years preceding the Liberals, Canada’s annual immigration levels, expressed as a percent of our population, was in the range of 0.8%. Numerically, Canada admitted about 260,000 immigrants per year during this period.
Stakeholders expect to see 2018 levels, to be announced this fall, in the range of between 310,000 and 320,000 which would amount to a per capita immigration rate of 0.88 per cent. This puts into perspective the Liberal government’s continued drive to bring in qualified, well screened foreign workers under a policy of managed immigration levels. Ottawa traditionally tables its annual levels for the upcoming year, by early November.
Planned 2017 New Permanent Residents
Economic Class: 172,500
This includes immigrants selected under a number of programs including the Federal Skilled Workers, Federal Skilled Trades and the Canadian Experience Class (applying under the Express Entry system), federal business programs, provincial nominees and Quebec.
Family Class: 84,000
This includes spouses, partners, children, parents and grandparents.
Refugees: 40,000
This includes government and privately sponsored refugees.
Humanitarian: 3,500
2016 and 2017 New Permanent Residents: Breakdown
| Immigration Category | Category | 2016 target | 2017 target |
| Economic | Federal Economic- High Skilled | 58,400 | 73,700 |
| Federal Economic- Caregivers | 22,000 | 18,000 | |
| Federal Economic- Business | 800 | 500 | |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 47,800 | 51,000 | |
| Quebec Skilled Worker | 26,200 | 29,300 | |
| Economic Total | 160,400 | 172,500 | |
| Family | Spouses, Partners & Children | 60,000 | 64,000 |
| Parents & Grandparents | 20,000 | 20,000 | |
| Family Total | 80,000 | 84,000 | |
| Refugees & Protected Persons | Protected Persons in Canada & dependants in abroad | 10,000 | 15,000 |
| Resettled Refugees | 44,800 | 25,000 | |
| Government-Assisted Refugees | 24,600 | 7,500 | |
| Blended Visa Office-Referred | 2,400 | 1,500 | |
| Privately Sponsored Refugees | 17,800 | 16,000 | |
| Refugees & Protected Persons Total | 55,800 | 40,000 | |
| Humanitarian and Other | Humanitarian and Other | 3,600 | 3,500 |
| Overall Total | 300,000 | 300,000 | |
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