Canada’s Immigration System: A Pathway to Economic Growth and Global Talent

Vancouver, August 24, 2022 — Canada continues to be a beacon for individuals seeking opportunities to work, study, and establish new lives with their families. As the nation aims to fill critical job vacancies and bolster economic growth, immigration remains at the forefront of this mission.

The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, has underscored ongoing efforts to enhance Canada’s immigration framework and alleviate application backlogs. These initiatives are crucial in addressing labor shortages, enhancing the client experience, and reuniting families. A key component of this strategy includes the ambitious hiring of up to 1,250 new employees by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) by the end of the fall. This measure is designed to boost processing capacity and address short-term backlogs while paving the way for a more sustainable system in the long term.

Progress and Impact

The addition of new personnel, complemented by an $85 million infusion from the Economic and Fiscal Update 2021, has facilitated a reduction in wait times and a return to pre-pandemic service standards for new applicants. Notable areas of improvement include:

• Express Entry Permanent Residence Pathway: A six-month service standard.
• Family Reunification through Spousal Sponsorship: A 12-month service standard.
• Permanent Resident Cards: Streamlined processing times.

With an unprecedented global interest in relocating to Canada, IRCC is setting ambitious targets and achieving historic milestones. In 2021, the country welcomed over 405,000 new permanent residents—a record-breaking achievement. The goal for 2022 stands at 431,000 new permanent residents, with approximately 275,000 admissions recorded by July 31, marking the fastest pace on record.

Work and Study Permits: A Record Year

In the realm of employment, IRCC issued over 199,000 work permits in 2021. This year, the numbers have soared, with over 349,000 new work permits granted between January 1 and July 31—compared to approximately 112,000 during the same period in 2021. The issuance of over 220,000 open work permits allows holders the flexibility to work across Canada in various occupations, effectively integrating up to 1,700 new workers into the economy daily.

Additionally, Canada remains a premier destination for international students. In 2021, IRCC processed nearly 560,000 study permit applications, surpassing records from 2019 by 31%. This momentum continues in 2022, with nearly 360,000 study permits finalized by July 31, outstripping the approximately 306,000 permits processed during the same period in 2021.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite these achievements, the immigration system faces challenges, including processing delays caused by humanitarian crises and outdated technology. At the end of July, approximately 54% of applications were categorized as backlog, exceeding standard service times. The goal is to process 80% of all new applications within these service standards, accounting for complexities inherent in some cases.

Improving the immigration system is vital for attracting global talent and addressing labor shortages in key sectors such as tourism, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, and skilled trades. To maintain transparency and keep Canadians informed, IRCC will release monthly data on backlog reduction progress on its website. Further updates on measures to expedite worker integration, family reunification, and overall system efficiency will be shared in the coming weeks and months.

As Canada moves forward, these advancements in immigration will not only strengthen the national economy but also enrich the cultural and social fabric of the country, ensuring a prosperous future for all.