Canada to welcome up to 390,000 immigrants in 2022

This was unveiled today in the federal government’s 2020-2022 Immigration Levels Plan.

Canada continues its approach to gradually increase immigration levels. This is likely to give stakeholders time to adequately plan to support a larger population.

Whereas Canada welcomed 320,000 newcomers in 2018, and 341,000 immigrants in 2019, it is again targeting the admissions of 341,000 immigrants in 2020.

It is aiming to welcome an additional 351,000 in 2021, and another 361,000 in 2022. The plan provides Canada with the scope to welcome up to 390,000 immigrants in 2022.

The most significant revelation from the announcement is Canada’s target for 2022 since today is the first time such information has become publicly available.

In 2017, Canada reintroduced multi-year levels plans after the first attempt between 1982-1984 was disrupted by a recession.

The return to multi-year plans is meant to help stakeholders such as urban planners forecast what steps they need to take to support the economic and social integration of newcomers.

Today’s announcement is part of a broader trend that will likely see Canada continue to boost immigration and eventually break the 400,000-newcomer threshold. The country is poised to welcome some 3.5 million immigrants this decade, compared with 2.8 million between 2010-2019.

All told, however, demographic and economic circumstances are just one of the six factors that will shape the future of Canada’s immigration levels.

By November, the Canadian government will table its next immigration levels plan, which may contain its target for 2023.