Canada set a new immigration record last year with more than 430,000 permanent residents arriving in the country.
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said in a press release today that the federal government reached its goal of welcoming 431,645 new permanent residents by 2022. Ottawa surpassed its previous record set in 2021, when Canada welcomed more than 401,000 new permanent residents.
The previous immigration record was set in 1913, when Canada welcomed more than 400,000 newcomers, Statistics Canada data show.
"Today marks an important milestone for Canada, setting a new record for newcomers received in a single year. It is a testament to the strength and resilience of our country and its people," Fraser said in the release.
"Newcomers play an essential role in filling labor shortages, bringing new perspectives and talent to our communities and enriching our society as a whole. I am excited to see what the future holds and look forward to another historic year in 2023 as we continue to welcome newcomers."
When announcing the target of 465,000 new immigrants by this 2023 and 500,000 by 2025 Immigration Minister Sean Fraser spoke of Canada's need to welcome more people:
It's very simple to me, Canada needs more people. Canadians understand the need for our population to continue to grow in order to meet workforce needs, balance our worrisome demographic trend, so we will continue to reunite families and support the most vulnerable. Canada is uniquely positioned in the world to use immigration to achieve its goals, and it's not something we do, it's who we are and always have been. With the exception of native Indians, every family in Canada has a chapter in its migration story. Friends, that is Canada's story and will continue to be.
By 2036, Ottawa claims that immigrants will account for up to 30% of Canada's population, up from 20.7% in 2011.