In a groundbreaking move, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has unveiled plans to significantly ramp up its immigrant intake, targeting a staggering 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024, with projections to reach 500,000 in 2025 and maintain that level through 2026.
Linguistic Diversity at the Forefront:
Building on past successes, the plan strongly emphasizes linguistic diversity. IRCC aims to achieve new and escalating targets for French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec: 6% in 2024, 7% in 2025, and 8% in 2026.
Tackling Labor Force Gaps:
This strategic initiative is crafted to address labor force gaps in key sectors, including health, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), along with trades, transportation, and agriculture.
Program Highlights:
• Express Entry: Anticipates 110,700 permanent resident admissions in 2024, with projections of 117,500 immigrants in both 2025 and 2026.
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Commences at 110,000 immigrants in 2024, ascending to 120,000 in 2025, and maintaining this level in 2026.
Family-Centric Immigration Policies:
• Spousal, Partner, and Children Sponsorship: Sets targets at 82,000 admissions in 2024, and 84,000 in both 2025 and 2026.
• Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP): Aims for 32,000 immigrants in 2024, followed by 34,000 immigrants annually in both 2025 and 2026.
This robust immigration plan reflects Canada’s commitment to diversity and positions the nation as a global leader in attracting skilled individuals, fostering economic growth, and enriching its cultural tapestry.