Canada Set to Welcome Over 500,000 New Immigrants in 2024

Canada is poised for a record-breaking year in 2024, with projections indicating the country could welcome more than 500,000 new permanent residents. This would surpass the previous record of 471,815 set in 2023 and exceed the immigration target of 485,000 set for 2024. The latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows a slight dip in new arrivals for June, with 44,540 new permanent residents, marking a 4.9% decrease from the previous months.

Despite this recent slowdown, the overall trend for the year remains strong. If the current rate of immigration continues, Canada could see a total of 511,410 new permanent residents by the end of 2024. This represents an 8.4% increase over the previous year and highlights Canada’s continued commitment to high levels of immigration.

The province of Ontario remains the most popular destination for newcomers, accounting for more than 41.6% of all new permanent residents in the first half of the year. This reflects the province’s significant role in Canada's immigration landscape, supported by various economic programs such as the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and other federal and provincial immigration pathways.

Other provinces also saw notable increases in immigration. Quebec and Alberta attracted substantial numbers of new residents, contributing to the overall growth. In total, Ontario welcomed 106,500 new immigrants, while Quebec received 30,315, and Alberta saw 34,375 new arrivals. The Atlantic provinces, including Newfoundland and Labrador, experienced modest increases in June, with Newfoundland and Labrador seeing a 3.7% rise in immigration, and Quebec and Ontario also recording slight gains.

Canada’s immigration system operates through a two-tier approach, encompassing federal programs like the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades (FST), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC), as well as Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) across its ten provinces. This dual system provides multiple pathways for individuals to gain permanent residency.

In addition to the significant immigration inflows, the federal government is expected to address temporary immigration levels, which surged during the pandemic. Immigration Minister Marc Miller has indicated that changes to the management of temporary resident levels will be included in the upcoming immigration levels plan, set to be released in September.

Overall, Canada’s commitment to high immigration levels continues to shape its demographic landscape, contributing to the country’s economic growth and cultural diversity.