Immigration to Canada fell to the lowest level since 1998.
New Canadian government data shows the country welcomed 184,370 new permanent residents in 2020 as newcomer flows fell due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This is the lowest level of immigration to Canada since 1998 when it welcomed just over 174,000 immigrants that year.
In March 2020, Canada’s Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino announced Canada would seek to welcome 341,000 new immigrants, the same level as in 2019. Days later, however, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada was compelled to impose new travel restrictions to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Data released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows that immigration to the country fell around the same time the travel restrictions took effect and the country’s newcomer flows have yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels. Nevertheless, Canada is maintaining a steadfast commitment to welcoming high levels of immigrants to support its post-COVID economic recovery.
SOURCE: CIC News
