Last Updated On 3 January 2023, 7:20 PM EST (Toronto Time)

Today, immigration minister Sean Fraser announced that Canada has reached its target of welcoming 431,645 new permanent residents in 2022.

Canada surpassed the previous record of welcoming more than 401,000 new permanent residents established in 2021.

Following this announcement IRCC updated via their official Twitter account that Canada actually welcomed over 437,000 new permanent residents in 2022.

The last time such a huge number of newcomers arrived in Canada prior to 2021, was in 1913.

From 2016 to 2021, well over 1.3 million new immigrants settled permanently in Canada, the biggest number of recent immigrants recorded in a Canadian census.

Sean Fraser thanked IRCC staff for processing record immigration/visa applications in 2022. In 2022, IRCC processed nearly 5.2 million applications for permanent residency, temporary residence, and citizenship.

To put in perspective, that is more than double the amount of applications handled in 2021.

Nearly 1 in every 4 individuals were or had been a landed immigrant or permanent resident in Canada as per the 2021 Census.

This is highest proportion since Confederation and the highest proportion among G7 countries.

New Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025

Importance Of Immigration For Canada

In press release, IRCC shared below listed data-based, amazing facts about Canada immigration reflecting it importance for the country.

Because of Canada’s ageing population, the worker-to-retiree ratio is predicted to fall from 7 to 1 50 years ago to 2 to 1 by 2035.

Immigration contributes for nearly all of Canada’s labor-force expansion.

Approximately 75% of Canada’s population increase is due to immigration, the majority of which is economic in nature.

Immigrants make up 36% of physicians, 33% of company owners with paid employees, and 41% of engineers in Canada.

Immigrants will account for up to 30% of Canada’s population by 2036, up from 20.7% in 2011.

Canada also has target of welcoming even more immigrants as per immigration levels plan of 2023 – 2025. The plan is to reach 500,000 landed immigrants annually by 2025.

“Today marks an important milestone for Canada, setting a new record for newcomers welcomed in a single year. It is a testament to the strength and resilience of our country and its people. Newcomers play an essential role in filling labour shortages, bringing new perspectives and talents to our communities, and enriching our society as a whole. I am excited to see what the future holds and look forward to another historic year in 2023 as we continue to welcome newcomers.”
Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser

Source: IRCC