Canada goal of 1 million new permanent residents gaining positive attention worldwide

Canada's drive to admit more than a million new permanent residents by the end of 2021 is receiving positive attention worldwide. According to reports by the BBC, CNN and others, the three-year target by Canada and its friendly behavior towards immigrants is setting it apart from U.S. and other Western Nations who are restricting their immigration policies.

Under Canada's latest plans, an expected 3,50,000 new permanent residents will find a a place in the country by the end year 2021. Of these, nearly 75 percent of all economic admissions are slated via Canada's Express Entry System and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Under Canada's economic immigration programs, the highest target of 2019, that is 81,400 new admissions will be managed by the three Express Entry programs- the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trader Class and Canadian Experience Class.

Introduced in 2015, Canada's Express Entry system is made to favour young, highly educated candidates who have proficiency in English with skilled work experience.

The data released by the government show that from January to October of 2018, software engineers and designers, information systems analysts and consultants, and computer programmers and interactive media developers lead the list of professionals invited to apply for Canadian permanent residency through Express Entry in 2018.

Canada's PNP system is also growing at an impressive number. The program allows participating provinces and territories to nominate economic immigration candidates for Canada PR visas. From 233 new permanent resident's admission in 1996, the PNP has evolved to a target of 55,000 in 2018. Its target in 2019 is 61,000, which will grow to 67,800 in 2020 and 71,300 in 2021.

Canada's three-year immigration plan also promises to increase its family and refugee and protected person immigration programs, which together combines around 40 percent of Canada's overall immigration target. According to the federal government, “family reunification is a central pillar of Canada's immigration program which contributes to the economic, social, and cultural prosperity of all Canadians.”

Family sponsorship programs for spouses/common-law partners, children, and grandparents' accounts for a total target of 88,500 in 2019 and 91,000 in both 2020 and 2021. One of the main features of Canadian permanent residency is the ability to potentially sponsor additional family members for PR visa in future.

Canada is also committed to refugees and vulnerable persons, despite an increase in asylum seekers in the past two years that has drained the government's resources. 

In an annual report, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has noted an unprecedented level of global displacement in 2017 and said that its three-year program will focus of 'accommodating refugees looking to start new lives.' Canada has set an overall admission target of 46,450 for refugees and protected person by 2019, which will grow to 51,700 in 2021.

“While many western nations are moving to reduce immigration, Canada is going in the opposite direction,” said David Cohen, senior partner at the Campbell Cohen Canadian immigration law firm in Montreal. Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Ahmed Hussen, said, “Growing immigration levels, particularly in the Economic Class, will help us sustain our labour force, support economic growth, and spur up innovation.”

Clearly, Canada's immigration policy will add up to its economic growth despite the additional pressure caused by the refugees. Canada's outlook towards immigration is completely different from that of U.S. And other Western countries, which have a negative stance towards immigrants and refugees. Canada's immigration policy acts as a reminder to other countries to change their perspectives on citizenship.