Canada welcomed a historic number (437,000) of newcomers and permanent residents in 2022, signifying a momentous occasion for the nation. This influx of individuals, hailing from all corners of the globe, brings a tremendous amount of diversity to the country and its citizens. This blog post will explore the implications of this incredible influx of newcomers and permanent residents to Canada.
A Record Number of Newcomers
In 2022, Canada welcomed a historic number of newcomers, with 437,000 permanent residents joining our country. This is the largest number of newcomers in Canadian history and is a testament to Canada's commitment to welcoming those seeking refuge and new opportunities. Newcomers not only enrich our communities but are also contributing to one of the fastest recoveries from the pandemic.
By welcoming these newcomers, we can further strengthen our society, share knowledge and skills, and create more economic opportunities for everyone. Newcomers also bring fresh perspectives, diverse backgrounds and cultural experiences that help to shape Canada's identity. This is why it is so important to continue to welcome newcomers to ensure that our country remains a place of opportunity, growth, and acceptance.
Why does Canada need so many immigrants?
Canada is facing an aging population and a looming labor shortage. In order to keep the Canadian economy strong, Canada needs immigrants to fill its labor force gaps. The government's immigration plan aims to bring in approximately 1.5 million newcomers to Canada by 2025. This represents a historic number of immigrants in the country and will help address the current labor shortage.
The immigrants that come to Canada bring a wide range of skills and experience, which will help stimulate the Canadian economy and create new opportunities for Canadians. In addition, immigrants will create an increase in tax revenue, which is beneficial to the country and can help fund important public services.
This influx of immigrants will also contribute to cultural diversity in the country, creating a more vibrant and welcoming society. This can help ensure that Canada remains an attractive destination for both economic and social migrants, providing them with the opportunity to build a better life for themselves and their families. This will bring with it a variety of perspectives, which can help challenge traditional views and create an environment that is open to innovation and experimentation.
The Benefits of Immigrating to Canada
Immigrating to Canada offers numerous advantages for newcomers. The government's immigration plan includes generous social services and access to a robust job market. This, along with strong economic growth, has made Canada one of the most attractive destinations for immigrants. With its rich diversity, Canada is a country of opportunity where immigrants can integrate quickly and contribute to the nation’s economic growth. Additionally, Canada has some of the world's best educational systems and healthcare, allowing newcomers to pursue their studies and receive quality medical care.
The Canadian government also seeks to attract highly skilled workers who can bring valuable skills and knowledge to the economy. The Immigration News Canada website provides detailed information about various programs and policies designed to help immigrants start a new life in Canada. With its welcoming attitude towards newcomers, Canada is an excellent choice for those looking to immigrate and build a new future.
In 2022, a majority of the new immigrants and permanent residents welcomed to Canada were highly skilled workers. It is estimated that almost half of all new arrivals to the country were part of the skilled migration program. This means that these individuals had specialized expertise in certain areas and sought to apply their talents to Canadian businesses.
Of those who migrated to Canada as part of the skilled immigration program, the highest ranking professions were physicians, business owners with paid staff, and engineers. Immigrants accounted for 36% of physicians, 33% business owners with paid staff, and 41% of engineers.
These immigrants bring with them valuable skills that help contribute to Canada’s economic success and innovation. It is no surprise then that Canada has seen a sharp increase in skilled migrants over the past decade. The country continues to strive to attract and retain highly qualified workers who have the potential to benefit the nation both economically and culturally. Immigrants also account for a large portion of the workforce in Canada's tech sector, with almost half of all tech workers having been born outside of the country. This has helped Canadian tech companies stay competitive in the global market and remain at the forefront of technological innovation. The federal government has acknowledged the importance of immigration to Canada’s long-term success and has implemented various measures to attract talent from around the world.
Solving labour shortages in key sectors like health care, construction, and transportation: Workers from 16 new occupations now eligible for permanent residence
In 2022, Canada also introduced the implementation of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 for its Express Entry system. This will allow immigrants to bring in global talent in high-demand sectors such as health care, construction, and transportation.
Under the new NOC categories, 16 new occupations are now eligible for permanent residence in Canada. These occupations include key jobs such as registered nurses, paramedics, truck drivers, heavy equipment operators, and welders. These newly added occupations will help address labour shortages in Canada’s most in-demand industries.
Immigrants to Canada with the right qualifications and experience may be eligible for permanent residence through the Express Entry system under one of these 16 occupations. Those interested in immigrating to Canada should take note of this recent immigration news and research the requirements for their specific occupation.
Overall, Canada is welcoming more immigrants than ever before in 2022, with changes to the Express Entry system that will bring in skilled workers to fill labour shortages in key industries. This is an exciting development for those looking to immigrate to Canada and contribute to Canada’s economic growth.
Indo - Pacific Strategy
The Government of Canada is investing $74.6 million over five years and $15.7 million ongoing to bolster application processing capacity domestically and in the Indo-Pacific region, including New Delhi, Chandigarh, Islamabad and Manila. This plan is part of Canada's Immigration Levels Plan for the future, which seeks to ensure a steady flow of newcomers coming to Canada from around the world. This investment aims to improve processing times for visa applications and support people-to-people ties, enabling more individuals to immigrate to Canada faster. This increased immigration to Canada will help us address our labour shortages in key sectors such as health care, construction, and transportation—which 16 new occupations are now eligible for permanent residence under this new immigration plan.
Furthermore, international students significantly improve Canada's social and economic climate. Nearly two thirds of the foreign students Canada has accepted in recent years come from the Indo-Pacific region. Each year, thousands of those students move to Canada permanently, while thousands more finish their education and return home, bringing a personal connection to Canada with them.
The strengthening of Canada's international student program and promotion of greater diversity among those looking to study here will be made possible by funding received through the Indo-Pacific Strategy.
These investments will draw students, who frequently turn into the highly skilled workers Canada needs to meet the challenges of our economy today and tomorrow by providing them with access to permanent residence and employment opportunities that may lead to staying in Canada.
With the Government of Canada's investment, processing times for visa applications are expected to be reduced and more individuals will have the opportunity to come to Canada faster. It is expected that with this increased immigration to Canada, more individuals from around the world will have the chance to work in Canada and contribute to the growth of our economy.
20% increase in the number of applicants who can apply for the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program
The International Experience Canada (IEC) Program is an important part of the Government of Canada's immigration plan. It is a reciprocal program that allows Canadian and international youth to work and travel in each other’s countries, providing an enriching experience that helps promote cross-cultural understanding. The Government of Canada plans to increase the number of spaces available in the IEC program by nearly 20,000. This is great news for those looking to immigrate to Canada and gain international experience. Applicants will be able to apply as of January 9, 2023.
The increased number of spaces available through the IEC program will help address some of the labor shortages in key sectors like health care, construction, and transportation, which are among the many areas in need of qualified workers. Through the IEC program, participants will be able to develop their professional skills and gain a competitive edge when applying for jobs in the future. This initiative will also contribute to the tourism industry, as employers will have more access to seasonal workers.
The International Experience Canada (IEC) Program is a great way for Canadian and international youth to explore new cultures, languages, and societies while contributing to the Canadian economy. This immigration news comes at a time when immigrants are needed more than ever to fill gaps in our labor force. By offering international youth the opportunity to gain valuable work experience, the IEC program is providing them with a competitive edge that will help them pursue their professional dreams.