Thursday, March 28, 2024

Canada sees record breaking number of people immigrate to country in 2022

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Canada saw a record breaking-number of people immigrate to the country in 2022, according to numbers released by Statistics Canada.  

COVID-19’s severity has been decreasing and people fleeing the war in Ukraine may be a factor in the number of new Canadians welcomed to the country.

The Government of Canada set a goal for itself at the beginning of 2022 to welcome more than 431,000 newcomers to the country and on January 3rd, they announced the milestone was met.

According to Statista, a statistics and research firm who took a look at the amount of newcomers to BC, 83,000 of that number immigrated to British Columbia. 

(Statista)

As the graph shows, 2022’s numbers for new British Columbians smashed the numbers of immigrants from all previous years dating back to 2000, more than doubling some years.

Statista’s source for BC’s immigration data was based on numbers from Statistics Canada.

In 2021, the country had previously set a record with 401,000 immigrants coming into Canada. Previously, the record belonged to 1913’s intake of immigrants.

This means that 2022’s total of 431,645 new Canadians is the most newcomers brought into the country in history.

“Today marks an important milestone for Canada, setting a new record for newcomers welcomed in a single year,” said Sean Fraser, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

“It is a testament to the strength and resilience of our country and its people.” 

These high numbers in immigration are believed to be good for Canada’s economy, especially since businesses have been struggling to keep staff.

According to the Government of Canada, immigration accounts for almost 100% of Canada’s labour force growth and 75% of its population growth. 

It is projected that by 2036, immigrants will comprise 30% of Canada/s population as compared to 2011’s 20.7%.

More people than ever before wanted to come to the country last year. In 2022, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) processed 5.2 million applications for permanent residence, temporary residence and citizenship.

Even the application numbers processed last year beat the number of applications in 2021 by double, according to Fraser.

“Newcomers play an essential role in filling labour shortages, bringing new perspectives and talents to our communities, and enriching our society as a whole,” said Fraser.

“I am excited to see what the future holds and look forward to another historic year in 2023 as we continue to welcome newcomers.”

2023’s goal for immigration is set at 447,055. 

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Curtis Blandy
curtis@victoriabuzz.com

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