The number of immigrants allowed to move to Canada fell by a quarter during the first quarter of this year, as compared to the same period last year.
According to data released by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) – the federal department in charge of immigration issues – immigration fell in all major categories, including skilled worker class, Canadian Experience Class and family-sponsorships.
As it stands, just over 63,200 people were granted visas during the first quarter of this, down from the just over 84,000 visas granted during the same period last year.
But officials from the CIC point out that 2010 was an unusual year for immigration, as that year 281,000 foreigners were granted permanent resident permits, which is a 50-year record. And as such, the first quarter of last year witnessed a record number of visas issuals.
This year, Canada will allow between 250,000-265,000 immigrants, and CIC officials say the first quarter numbers reflect that overall quota.
Within the overall quota, though, the government has been making changes. For example, the CIC recently slashed by half – from 20,000 to 10,000 – the number of people who will be allowed under the federal Skilled Worker Class. Accordingly, the number of people allowed under each of the 29 priority occupations under this class was also halved, to 500.
Government officials say they want to bring the application backlog down as much as possible.
Besides, the government is also assessing what type of immigrants Canada needs, and how to strike a balance between highly skilled immigrants such as managers and engineers on one side, and skilled trades-people such as plumbers and electricians on the other.
Related articles
- Skilled Worker Intake to be Halved (smartcanadian.ca)
- Immigration to Canada drops by 25 per cent (thestar.com)
- Atlantic Canada Looks for Immigrants (smartcanadian.ca)
