Canada reaches target of 431,645 new permanent residents in 2022
by CM Staff
Prior to setting a new record for admissions in 2021, the last time Canada welcomed such a large numbers of newcomers was in 1913.
OTTAWA — On Jan. 3, Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced Canada has reached its target of 431,645 new permanent residents in 2022, surpassing the previous record from 2021. This represents the largest number of people ever welcomed in a year. Prior to setting a new record for admissions in 2021, the last time Canada welcomed such a large numbers of newcomers was in 1913.
The federal government says the achievement would not have been possible without the employees of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), who continue to set the bar higher for processing. In 2022, IRCC processed approximately 5.2 million applications for permanent residence, temporary residence and citizenship. That’s double the number of applications processed in 2021.
The IRCC says it has added resources, embraced new technology, streamlined processing, and brought more processes online. They say these changes are all important improvements to Canada’s immigration system, which will position us well for the future. As the Government of Canada focuses on addressing the acute labour market shortages the nation is facing today and building a strong economy into the future, they believe that immigration is a key part of the solution.
“Today marks an important milestone for Canada, setting a new record for newcomers welcomed in a single year. It is a testament to the strength and resilience of our country and its people. Newcomers play an essential role in filling labour shortages, bringing new perspectives and talents 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,” said Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
