In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Canada’s low level of immigration persists, but the levels of immigration in the country are poised to recover.
In August 2020, Canada accepted 11,315 new permanent residents.
This was smaller than Canada’s 13,645 immigrants accepted in July.
Canada’s August 2020 figure was well below the almost 31,600 immigrants it received in August 2019, in addition to accepting fewer immigrants in August than the previous month.
Of course, with Canada enforcing travel restrictions since March of this year to help curb the spread of COVID-19, the coronavirus pandemic is to blame.
Canada was planning the arrival of 341,000 new immigrants in 2020 prior to the pandemic, which is the same number that it reached last year.
Canada accepted 128,400 immigrants between January and August of 2020.
The first sign of immigration engagement is the continuing Express Entry and PNP (Provincial Candidate Program) after the pandemic. During the third quarter of 2020, bi-weekly Express Entry draws begin with Canada just releasing a record-breaking total of permanent residence invitations to successful skilled worker applicants.
With Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia each hosting PNP draws during the pandemic, the PNP is still very involved. Last week, Quebec, which runs its own immigration scheme, had its biggest draw in more than one year.
The Canadian government outlined immigration as a core goal in late September to help the economic development of Canada after the pandemic.
Canada announced the re-opening of its Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) earlier this week.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced in the announcement that, in 2021, it will welcome 30,000 PGP applications. Given that the PGP typically accounts for around 6% of all new immigrants to Canada each year, the 2021 PGP target is to further suggest that Canada remains committed to accepting over 300,000 immigrants next year and beyond.
Later this month, Canada will release its 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Programme.
Tags : Canada immigration, COVID-19, express entry, PNP