Canada’s slump in immigration levels is persistent amidst the COVID-19 pandemic but these immigration levels are all set to bounce back. In August 2020, Canada invited 11,315 new permanent residents. These numbers are lesser than what Canada achieved in July by inviting 13,645 immigration candidates.

Furthermore, the total number of candidates welcomed by Canada in August 2020 was approximately 31,600 immigrants short as compared to the numbers in August 2019. Certainly, the COVID-19 epidemic can be held responsible for such plummeting of numbers, where Canada had to impose travel restrictions in the month of March of this year to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Canada was aiming to welcome 341,000 new immigrants this year before the pandemic had begun. This would have been the same level which Canada achieved in the preceding year. From January to August 2020, Canada has already invited 128,400 Canada PR applicants. Such a pattern indicates that Canada’s immigration intake this year might fall short of 200,000 immigrants for the very first time since 1999!

Such a drop in Canada’s immigration levels is quite temporary and is an outcome of its travel restrictions and various epidemic-related hurdles. Canada has always showed utmost commitment towards increasing its immigration intake. The currently held Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws even during this epidemic is a clear sign of Canada’s intent and commitment towards immigration. Canada recently issued a record-breaking total of ITAs (Invitations to Apply) for Canada PR to all the accomplished skilled-worker candidates in the 3rd quarter of 2020. It’s also consistently conducting bi-weekly Express Entry draws.

Canadian provinces like Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia have conducted PNP draws even during the COVID-19 epidemic. Quebec conducted its largest round in over one year last week. In September, the Canadian government stressed upon the fact that immigration is a huge priority for Canada’s post-pandemic economic recovery.

Canada has also reopened its Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). In its announcement, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) declared that it would accept 30,000 PGP applications in the year 2021. Generally, the PGP is accounted for approximately 6% of new immigrants coming to Canada every year. Hence, from the 2021 PGP target, it is expected that Canada will aim for over 300,000 immigrants next year and the years after that.

Canada is going to declare its 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan later this month. This will throw light on Canada’s targets after the pandemic. We can anticipate a noteworthy increase in Canada’s immigration levels from the next year.

Source: CIC News

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