Canada will accept a maximum of 255,000 new immigrants in 2006, a
figure not dramatically different than at present, but with a greater
percentage of parents and grandparents being granted entry.
According to the latest annual report on immigration tabled in the Commons, the target range for 2006 will be to accept between 225,000 and 255,000 new residents. This compares with 235,824 permanent residents last year.
The numbers for 2006 had been expected to be higher with the government talking of plans to dramatically boost immigration levels by an additional 100,000 newcomers a year.
Under that strategy, first floated last month, Canada would accept 320,000 immigrants a year, an increase meant to counteract a declining birthrate and aging population.
But the proposal still hasn't received cabinet approval, signalling that there is some resistance to the scheme within government.
"It's still under discussion for the minister and his cabinet colleagues," Stephen Heckbert, spokesperson for Immigration Minister Joe Volpe, was quoted as saying in the Toronto Star.
The newspaper said there is growing pressure on the government to first tackle the challenges now facing the system. Ideas include encouraging immigrants to settle in communities outside big cities like Toronto and Vancouver, which have been traditional magnets for newcomers. As well, the politicians are expected to discuss ways of better matching immigrants with available jobs.
According to the report tabled in the Commons, there will be a 56:44 ratio between the economic and non-economic categories for 2006. This includes more parents and grandparents, as announced in the spring of 2005. Up to 19,000 parents and grandparents will be admitted, some 12,000 more than at present.
Also included in the non-economic category are up to 46,000 spouses, partners and children of principal applicants and some 40,000 refugees.
According to the most recent national census in 2001, 18.4 percent of Canada's population was foreign-born.
Some 69 per cent of all newcomers to Canada in 2004 came from Africa, the Middle East and Asia, while the rest came from Europe, South and North America. More than three-quarters chose to settle in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
Here is the immigration levels plan for 2006:
Immigrant Category
| 2006 Ranges Lower/Upper
| Skilled workers
| 105,000 – 116,000
| Business
Entrepreneur
Self-employed
Investor
| 9,000 – 11,000 | Live-in caregiver
|
3,000 – 5,000 |
Provincial nominees
|
9,000 – 11,000 |
TOTAL ECONOMIC
|
126,000 – 143,000 |
Spouses, partners and children
|
44,000 – 46,000 | Parents and grandparents
|
17,000 – 19,000 |
Total Family
|
61,000 – 65,000 |
Government-assisted refugees
|
7,300 – 7,500 |
Privately sponsored refugees
|
3,000 – 4,000 | Inland protected persons
|
19,500 – 22,000 | Dependants abroad
|
3,000 – 6,800 | | Total Refugee |
32,800 – 40,300
| Humanitarian and Compassionate/Public Policy
|
5,100 – 6,500
| Permit holders
|
100 – 200 | |
TOTAL NON-ECONOMIC |
99,000 – 112,000 |
TOTAL FOR 2006
|
225,000 – 255,000 |
|
Newsfile 
