Immigration to Canada Increases by 33.3 Percent
Canada’s government reported a 33.3% increase in Canadian immigration levels during the last fiscal year. Statistics Canada reported in September 2016 that a record 320,932 people were able to move to Canada through various Canadian immigration programs between June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2016. This compares to the 240,844 people who were able to immigrate to Canada in fiscal year 2014-2015. The previous Canadian immigration record occurred in fiscal year 2009-2010 when 270,581 immigrants were able to move to Canada. Soaring Canadian immigration numbers during the past year pushed Canada’s population up to 36.3 million people (July 2016). In absolute numbers, Canada’s population increased by 437,815 people overall from Canadian births and immigration to Canada. Not since fiscal year 1988-1989 has the overall Canadian population grown this much, according to the report.
Sustained immigration to Canada over the years, which is currently at its highest level in around three decades, has made the Canadian population one of the most multicultural in the world, with 20% of all the people who live in Canada foreign-born. Since immigrants make up a large percentage of the Canadian population, Canada is also known as the world’s most tolerant country and a place where people from various countries, cultures, ethnic groups and religions can feel comfortable. People who live in Canada generally view immigrants favorably and the Canadian government considers people who immigrate to Canada as an asset to the country. In fact, Canada’s government set an ambitious goal to boost Canadian immigration levels to 300,000 during 2015-2016, including approving 160,600 skilled foreign workers for a Permanent Resident Visa to Canada.
It is anticipated that when the Canadian immigration plan for 2017 is revealed in November 2016, it will likely call for maintaining high immigration levels, based upon statements made by officials of the Canadian government. Canada’s government has also been gathering feedback from Canadians over the past several months in order to improve programs for immigration to Canada and, therefore, significant changes to Canadian immigration programs are also expected to be announced in November 2016. In short, this is a very good time to apply for a visa to Canada. If you and your family would like to move to Canada and want to find out if you are likely to meet the eligibility for Canadian immigration, click here!
