Another new record for landings in Canada

by Michael Scott

Last year we reported that the number of landings in Canada exceeded 400,000 for only the second time since 2013. Despite the global pandemic and the extensive backlog of applications, IRCC was able to land 405,303 new immigrants in 2021. This number was widely panned last year as a record landing but what about the following year? We have just completed the 2022 operational year and the numbers of landings continue to rise.

The immigration minister recently announced that Canada welcomed over 437,000 new immigrants in 2022. This number exceeds the targeted 431,000 and sets a record for landings, besting the all-time record set one year ago. It would appear that the Levels Plan for 2022-2024 actually underestimated the landing potential of the department and the country. It does not appear to be wishful thinking for IRCC to forecast that 500,000 plus landings by 2025 is achievable.

Minister Fraser is justified to praise the work of his immigration staff in meeting and surpassing the projected landings for last year. “Today marks an important milestone for Canada, setting a new record for newcomers welcomed in a single year,” said Immigration Minister Sean Fraser. “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.”

IRCC has projected 447,055 landings for the current year but, based on the experiences of the past two operational years, this number may surpassed.

IRCC attributes the high number of landings to new resources, new technology, streamlined processes, and expanding online services in response to increased applications. It is possible to do both and IRCC has demonstrated their commitment to meeting and exceeding landing targets. The government allocated $50 million to address the ongoing backlog of applications, which was estimated at 1.09 million applications in all processing streams on November 30, 2022.

The new record of landings in 2022 is consistent with the 2023-2025 Levels Plan, tabled in November 2022. The projected landing numbers appear realistic with 465,000 in 2023, 485,000 in 2024 and 500,000 in 2025. Minister Fraser was correct in stating that he was looking forward to “another historic year in 2023.” We can all applaud their efforts because we need the influx of new Canadians to fuel the economy and recover from COVID.

Michael Scott is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC, R525678) who has 30 years of experience with Immigration Canada and the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. He currently works as a licensed consultant with Immigration Connexion International Ltd. Contact him at 204-691-1166 or 204-227-0292. E-mail: mscott.ici@gmail.com.