SAN FRANCISCO, October 31, (THEWILL) – Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau has revealed plans to bring in over 1.2 million new immigrants over the next three years.
Immigration Minister, Marco Mendicino made this known in a 3-year immigration plan to fill gaps in its labour market and boost the economy.
Addressing newsmen in Ottawa on Friday, Mendicino said the Canadian government aims to accept 401,000 new permanent residents in 2021, another 411,000 in 2022 and then 421,000 in 2023. “Canada needs more workers and immigration is the way to get there”, he added.
The country closed its borders to most immigrants in March due to COVID-19. Through August, it had settled 128,425 newcomers, less than half of the 341,000-person target for 2020.
“Before the pandemic, our government’s goal to drive the economy forward through immigration was ambitious. Now it’s simply vital”, Mendicino said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also put glaring inequalities and longstanding problems with Canada’s immigration system under increased scrutiny
A movement has grown over the past several months demanding Canada grant permanent immigration status for these front line workers, many of whom are labouring under conditions that place them at risk of contracting COVID-19.
Many asylum seekers and refugees face poor working conditions; while several key industries in Canada, such as healthcare, food processing and farming, rely on workers whose precarious immigration status places them at risk of abuse.
Amid that pressure, the Canadian government announced plans earlier this year to regularise the status of a narrow segment of these workers – asylum seekers working in specific healthcare jobs.
Some estimates put the number of workers eligible for that pathway to residency at about 1,000 people. This is however far lower than the total number of workers with non-permanent status in Canada.
Reacting to the announcement, the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, an advocacy group, said the government should put in place “a single-tier immigration system” that ensures status for all migrants.
Hundreds of organisations across Canada have endorsed that demand and a national day of action is scheduled for November 1.
“All migrants, refugees and undocumented people in the country must be regularised and given full immigration status now without exception. All migrants arriving in the future must do so with full and permanent immigration status,” the groups say in an open letter.
Canada’s immigration system has long been held up as a model, as it has historically brought in skilled workers as well as refugees and individuals seeking to reunite with family members already in the country.
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