Government sets 2016 targets for immigration levels

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The Canadian government plans to increase immigration levels in 2016 by 7.4 percent over those of 2015, with a target of admitting 300,000 new permanent residents this year.

What does the change mean? The increased admissions will be in the family reunification and refugee categories, while economic-based admissions will decrease by 11 percent.

Background: The new Liberal Party government’s immigration projections indicate a shift toward family reunification and refugee admissions.

BAL Analysis: Within the economic category, admissions through the Federal Economic High-Skilled Programs, which includes the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and Canadian Experience Class, have a 2016 target of 58,400, a drop from the 2015 combined target range of 68,000 to 74,000 for the three programs.

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