Canada’s New Immigration Levels Plan 2024–26 | IRCC

The goal of Canada’s immigration levels plan for 2024–2026 is to manage immigration flows to shape the country’s future. This strategy provides specific methods to address labor market demands, economic growth, and demographic problems as the nation navigates the complexity of a rapidly changing global scene.

By setting high but attainable targets for the upcoming years, Canada is putting itself in a position to capitalize on immigration’s advantages while maintaining an open and cohesive society.

Summary of Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026

To direct its operations and establish goals for accepting new immigrants, the Federal Department of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) publishes a new immigration-level plan annually. Canada’s strategy for controlling immigration is outlined in this strategic plan, which takes into account both the country’s present requirements and its long-term objectives.

Significant increases in immigrant admissions are the goal of the immigration levels plan. The IRCC wanted to welcome more than 465,000 immigrants by 2023. The goal is 485,000 new permanent residents by 2024. Canada intends to accept about 500,000 immigrants annually in 2025 and 2026.

Why Canada Needs Immigrants

Canada’s high immigration rates are crucial to maintaining its economic prosperity and tackling its population issues. Canada has one of the oldest populations in the world and one of the lowest birth rates, which puts a heavy burden on its economy and finances.

Due to the nation’s low rate of natural population growth, the labor force and economy are hindered, which makes it challenging to raise the tax income required to fund essential social services like healthcare and education.

Canada has gradually raised its immigration goals since the late 1980s to address these issues and promote economic and population growth. These days, immigration is a major factor in Canada’s economic and demographic environment, greatly boosting the country’s population and labor force.

Nine million baby boomers are predicted to reach retirement age by 2030, which will lower the number of people in the labor force and raise the need for healthcare services. Over the past thirty years, Canada has gradually increased immigration to counteract these consequences. Since 1988, the nation has regularly absorbed more than 200,000 immigrants each year, with recent totals surpassing 400,000.

In comparison to the United States, Canada has three times higher immigration per capita, at almost 1.2%. The COVID-19 pandemic has temporarily crippled the Canadian economy and boosted government spending on social services, making immigration even more important.

Furthermore, the birth rate in Canada reached a record low of 1.47 children per woman in 2019, and the pandemic’s economic uncertainty may further lower birth rates. As a result, to sustain its financial stability and government expenditure in particular, Canada’s reliance on immigration for population and labor force growth will probably expand in the years to come. Following the epidemic, Canada will still rely significantly on immigration.

Overview of Canada’s Immigration Programs

A significant contributor to Canada’s economic expansion, economic immigration accounts for more than half of the admissions scheduled under the multi-year levels plan. Important Initiatives in This Category:

• Federal Express Entry System initiatives
• Federal Skilled Worker Program: designed for immigrants who possess the training, professional background, and linguistic abilities necessary to thrive economically in Canada
• The Federal Skilled Trades Class: for experienced laborers having credentials in particular fields of employment
• Canadian Experience Class: for international employees who have just graduated from Canadian universities or who have work experience there
• The Provincial Nominee Program enables provinces and territories to propose qualified applicants who can fill positions in the local labor market for long-term residents.
• The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program facilitates the recruitment and hiring of international skilled workers by companies and Atlantic candidates.
• The International Graduates Caregivers Program allows foreign nationals who are caring for children or people with significant medical needs to qualify for permanent residency.
• Government Business Initiatives Startup Visa Program: for business owners with ground-breaking concepts
• Self-employed Persons Program: designed for people who can make a financial contribution by working for themselves
• Programs for Immigration in Quebec: Apart from the federal system, the province of Quebec runs its immigration system with distinct levels and initiatives.
• Spousal, common-law, partner sponsorship, independent kid, parent, and grandparents programs are among the Family Class Programs available.
• Protected individuals in Canada and their dependents abroad are covered under refugee and humanitarian programs.

Conclusion

The immigration levels that Canada has set for 2024–2026 demonstrate a commitment to striking a balance between social integration objectives and economic interests. This strategy emphasizes the significance of strategic management and careful policymaking as the country gets ready to welcome a growing number of newcomers.

Canada hopes to create a strong and dynamic future by integrating immigration goals with larger societal objectives, celebrating variety while promoting cohesion and development.