Canada releases Immigration Levels Plan for 2024-2026
Canada has announced that it will continue to welcome a large number of permanent residents in the next three years. Released on November 1, the Immigration Levels Plan is tailored to support economic growth while balancing with the pressures in areas like housing, healthcare and infrastructure. It aims to chart a responsible course for sustainable and stable population growth.
Following the trajectory of the 2023-2025 Plan, Canada aims to welcome 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024, 500,000 in 2025 and plateau at 500,000 in 2026. This plan prioritizes economic growth, and supports family reunification, while responding to humanitarian crises and recognizing the rapid growth in immigration in recent years.
Highlights of the 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan include:
A continued long-term focus on economic growth, with over 60% of permanent resident admissions dedicated to the economic class by 2025.
A commitment to uphold the Government of Canada’s humanitarian tradition support effort by responding to humanitarian and geopolitical crises around the world.
New ambitious Francophone immigration targets to support Francophone communities outside of Quebec. The targets represent 6% of total immigration in 2024, 7% in 2025, and 8% in 2026. This is to strengthen Francophone communities outside of Quebec and ensure the economic prosperity of Francophone minority communities across Canada.
The new Levels Plan also considers important progress Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made in the past year through new digital systems and improved client service, which have increased processing capacity and reduced application backlogs.
According to the news release, starting in 2026, the government will stabilize permanent resident levels at 500,000 allowing time for successful integration, while continuing to augment Canada’s labour market. The government also plans to take action over the next year to recalibrate the number of temporary resident admissions to ensure this aspect of the immigration system also remains sustainable.
– Canadian Immigrant