Today, Minister Sean Fraser, tabled the 2022‒2024 Immigration Levels Plan, which charts an ambitious but responsible path for immigration that will help the Canadian economy recover and fuel post-pandemic growth, all while strengthening communities and industries across the country who rely on immigration. 

The pandemic has highlighted the contributions of newcomers to the well-being of our communities and across all sectors of the economy.  Last year, Canada welcomed more than 405,000 new permanent residents—the most immigrants in a single year in our history.  Immigration already accounts for almost 100% of labour force growth, and with 5 million Canadians set to retire by the end of this decade, the worker to retiree ratio will drop down to only 3:1. 

To ensure Canada has the workers it needs to fill  critical labour market gaps and support a strong economy into the future, the 2022-2024 Immigration Levels Plan aims to continue welcoming immigrants at a rate of about 1% of Canada’s population, including:

• 432,600 permanent residents in 2022;
• 452,000 in 2023, and;
• 455,100 in 2024.

This plan will also increase Francophone immigration outside Quebec, while supporting the successful integration of French-speaking newcomers and strengthening Francophone communities across the country. As part of our Francophone Immigration Strategy, we’re working to reach a target of 4.4% of French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec by 2023.

Highlights of the plan include:

• A long-term focus on economic growth, with nearly 60% of admissions in the Economic Class.
• Help for vulnerable populations, like the special measures for granting permanent residence to refugee claimants working in health care during the pandemic.
• Support forglobal crises by providing a safe haven through humanitarian immigration to those facing persecution. 
• Talent retention of those already in Canada by granting permanent status to temporary residents accepted through the time limited pathways for essential workers launched in spring 2021. 
• Emphasis on faster family reunification and maintaining the 12 month processing standard for spouses and children.
• Firm commitment to resettle at least 40,000 Afghan nationals over the next two years.

The 2022–2024 Immigration Levels Plan will help cement Canada’s place among the world’s top destinations for talent, creating a strong foundation for post-pandemic economic growth while reuniting family members with their loved ones and fulfilling Canada’s humanitarian commitments.