Canada will incorporate planning for housing, healthcare, and other services into its immigration strategy, according to Immigration Minister Marc Miller. This comes after the country experienced its largest population increase in nearly 70 years. Statistics Canada reported a 2.9% growth in population between July 1, 2022, and July 1, 2023, bringing the total population to over 40 million.
Miller expressed the need to align immigration programs, systems, and services with Canada’s labor market. He stated that stakeholders and individuals voicing their needs on a daily basis consistently emphasize this point. Various industries, such as construction and healthcare, have faced labor shortages in recent years.
With concerns about an affordable housing crisis and rising living costs, the Canadian government faces pressure to address annual immigration targets. The aim is to have approximately 500,000 permanent residents by 2025, but Canada is currently targeting 465,000 for this year.
The new strategy proposes expediting processing services for international student permits at institutions that offer better housing, services, and additional support. Miller highlighted the importance of this strategy, as it allows Canada to adapt rapidly and respond sustainably to global humanitarian crises.
Wa Lone reports this story. Editing is done by Steve Scherer and Sandra Maler.
