In order to solve critical labour market shortages causing uncertainty for Canadian businesses and workers, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, released Canada’s 2023–2025 Immigration Levels Plan.
Canada welcomed over 405,000 newcomers in 2021, and is setting targets in the new levels plan of 465,000 permanent residents in 2023, 485,000 in 2024 and 500,000 in 2025.
Highlights of the levels plan include
- economic class takes over 60% of admissions in the by 2025
- Express Entry system new features welcome newcomers facing acute labour shortages such as, health care, manufacturing, building trades and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)
- increases in regional programs to address targeted local labour market needs, through the PNP, the AIP, and the RNIP.
- ensuring that at least 4.4% of new PR outside Quebec are Francophone
- expanding the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot to support those facing persecution
2023-2025 Immigration Plan
| Program Category | Planned New PR in 2023 | Planned New PR in 2024 | Planned New PR in 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Economic | 266,210 | 281,135 | 301,250 |
| 2 | Family | 106,500 | 114,000 | 118,000 |
| 3 | Refugee and Protected Persons | 76,305 | 76,115 | 72,750 |
| 4 | H&C and other | 15,985 | 13,750 | 8,000 |
| Total Target | 465,000 | 485,000 | 500,000 |
Resources: IRCC