The Immigration Department confirmed that they are on track and might achieve their immigration goal for 2021.
In a video interview with Bloomberg, the Canadian immigrant minister admitted that 26,600 immigrants had been added as permanent residents in January. That is an increase of 10 percent as compared to January last year.
Marco Mendicino stated that new admission in February, Canada is ahead of the pace needed by around 40%. He is positive that they will meet the goal of 401,000 new permanent residents in 2021.
On 13th February, the IRCC sent 27,332 invitations to apply under the draw conducted for Express Entry. The number is about five times more than the earlier record-breaking draw.
When the travel restriction was launched during the pandemic, the number of permanent residents fell around 50%. In 2020, Canada was able to admit only 184,370 new permanent residents, compared to 341,175 in the previous year.
The low count imposed a halt to Canada’s population growth. Every year, around 80% of the population growth of the country is made up of new immigrants.
To make up for 2020’s low count of immigrants, the country set the ambitious goal of 401,000 this year and will try to increase that to 421,000 by 2023.
While the travel restrictions are in place, the immigration department is working to clear off the applications of people already living in Canada.
There is no official announcement about the lifting of travel restrictions yet. At present, only citizens of Canada, permanent residents and their families, essential employees, and international students are allowed to travel in Canada.
