The 2016 annual immigration levels plan has just been released by the federal government—with a focus on reuniting families.
The plan will work to improve processing times and backlogs for spouses, partners, children, parents, and grandparents of Canadians, allowing more people entrance into Canada.
By the end of 2016, Canada will welcome between 280,000 and 305,000 immigrants, with a government target of 300,000 new permanent residents.
This is a 7.4 per cent increase in planned admissions over the 2015 levels plan.
According to the Government of Canada, reuniting families helps immigrants build successful lives in Canada. Being with family is said to aid in integration and financial futures for immigrants, and even furthers Canada’s social, cultural, and economic development.
The number of sponsorship applications for parents and grandparents will be doubled, increasing to process 10,000 a year. In total, 20,000 admissions are planned under the Parent and Grandparent Program, with a goal of reducing backlog by 15 per cent by the end of the year.
Part of the push to accept more immigrants comes from Canada’s commitment to upholding its humanitarian tradition to resettle refugees and offer protection to those in need.
The 2016 annual immigration levels plan significantly increases admissions for Refugees and Protected Persons so those fleeing war and persecution can be welcomed to Canada. A total of about 55,000 refugees are expected for this year.
These increases will also allow the Government to complete its commitment to resettle Syrian refugees to Canada in 2016 and enable Canada to welcome other refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Colombia, and Eritrea, as set through various existing multi-year refugee resettlement commitments.
As a world leader in innovative refugee programs, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has almost tripled admissions space for privately-sponsored refugees and government-assisted refugees, and has more than doubled the admissions space for the blended visa office-referred category.
Aside from helping out newcomers, immigration can also help the Canadian economy, according to the government.
Immigration helps build economic growth and stronger communities and improves the country’s global competitiveness. Skilled and professional immigrants can result in jobs, innovation, and growth in existing and new industries in Canada.
The economic class will account for the majority of all immigration admissions in 2016, with about 160,000—over half of the total—admitted because of skills, business prominence, and other ties to the economy.
The economic class includes the principal applicants as well as their spouses, partners, and dependants through programs like the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class.
