How Will the New Canadian Policies Affect Immigration in 2024?
The Federal Department of Refugees and Citizenship Canada releases a yearly Immigration Level Plan that guides its operations. In 2022, for instance, the department released a plan showing an increase in the number of permanent residents the country would welcome. In 2023, the Canadian government is looking to increase immigration through the new policy changes it has drawn up. This article investigates the new Canadian policies and how they will impact immigration in the country in the coming year.
Meanwhile, Canada is a land filled with great opportunities, and it has opened its arms to immigrants. In the last decade, several factors, such as global mobility and business immigration, have interwoven in the country’s global economy. Furthermore, individuals look forward to accessing quality higher education and reuniting with loved ones, hoping to become permanent residents. As such, the government of Canada has put forth immigration targets it will meet in the coming year and beyond. Interested in games? You can read more here.
The Immigration Level Plan: Its Objectives
Every year, the Canadian government announces new immigration targets – that is, the number of residents that’ll be admitted to the country. Generally, the immigration plan addresses three pathways, namely:
- The reunification of families
- Economic immigration programs on federal as well as regional levels
- Humanitarian and compassionate immigration for refugees and protected person
Meanwhile, the Immigration Level Plan the government of Canada draws up every year is driven by several objectives. These objectives include the following:
- The Provincial Nominee Program, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, and the Atlantic Immigration Program will be used to raise targets in regional programs. Essentially, these targets will address the needs of the targeted labor market;
- Focusing more and clearly on economic growth and immigration to get up to 60% of admissions in the economic class by 2025;
- To increase the number of French-speaking immigrants so that at least 4.4% of new permanent residents are Francophone, particularly those outside Quebec;
- To attract immigrants with qualifications and skills required in sectors facing acute labor shortages by enhancing the Express Entry system. Some of these sectors include the healthcare system, STEM, manufacturing, and building trades;
- To support individuals facing persecution and let qualified refugees apply for permanent residence.
The New 2023 Policies
The government of Canada is seeking to increase immigration even more, hence the new policy changes and initiatives. The new change features the introduction of six new categories for category-based selection draws. They include:
- French language speaking abilities,
- Healthcare,
- Trades like plumbers, carpenters, and contractors,
- Agriculture and agri-food,
- Professions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (that is, STEM), and
- Transport
Also included in the new plan are invitations for 24,200 potential sponsors to apply through the PGP (Parents and Grandparents program). That means the government should expect to receive up to 15,000 complete applications. In addition to the invitations, the government has drawn up a new Tech Talent Strategy designed to attract newcomers in tech occupations.
In addition, the IRCC will welcome over 465,000 immigrants to Canada and about 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024. The Canadian government will also admit 110,770 foreign nationals for caregivers and federal high-skilled programs in 2024.
How the New Policies Will Affect Immigrants in 2024
The new Immigration Plans Canada has proposed will have a significant impact on immigration in the country in the coming year. Moreover, as the government moves forward with its plans, we should expect the country to look towards foreign nationals to grow its economy. Also, Canada will likely bring specialties and niche experiences to the country’s labor and workforce. Therefore, to be part of this, immigrants need to stay alert and keep their eye out for new initiatives – that is,
- The 24,200 invitations for the application to the Parents and Grandparents program by potential sponsors;
- The four new categories included in the express entry program;
- Upcoming changes to the International Student Program; and
- The Tech Talent strategy for newcomers in tech occupations.
The new initiatives created in 2023 are designed to promote temporary and permanent residence. The government of Canada has expressed its desire and dedication to ensuring the skills needed to meet key goals are always available. These goals include bridging labor force gaps in critical sectors and creating support for sustainability initiatives and the digital economy. Essentially, the Canadian government is dedicated to supporting initiatives that are not a barrier to the expansion and success of Canadian businesses.
Furthermore, family reunification and humanitarian and refugee goals are geared toward welcoming family members while protecting those in need. The country aims to fulfill its humanitarian commitments by offering assistance to refugees and individuals seeking protection, such as domestic violence victims. Overall, the services and support it provides will help to integrate foreign nationals into Canadian society more effectively.
Conclusion
Every year, the government of Canada releases the Immigration Level Plan for the next couple of years. In 2023, it released new immigration policies that will ultimately increase the number of immigrants in the country. The new policies will also affect international students in that the financial requirement for student permits will increase, among other things. Canada remains committed to ensuring the country always has the skills needed to meet key goals.
