The Government of Canada announced its plans for immigration in 2011 at the beginning of this month when it tabled its annual plan in Parliament, which is typically done before November 1st every year.
Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenny said in a media release that, “Canada’s post-recession economy demands a high level of legal immigration to keep our work force strong. At the same time, we are maintaining out commitment to family reunification and refugees.”
Highlights:
– Between 240,000 and 265,000 permanent residents will be welcomed to Canada in 2011.
– About 60 per cent of those permanent residents are expected to be skilled migrants through economic streams.
– The plan for 2011 will have a higher number of spouses and children admitted through the family category.
– An additional 1,125 refugees will be welcomed to Canada, which is a part of Canada’s commitment to increase refugee resettlement by 2,500 over three years.
– The federally and provincially selected workers will be balanced for both national and regional labour needs.
– The Federal Skilled Worker Program is the most significant portion of the economic migrant category: technicians, skilled tradespeople, managers and professionals are admitted through this program.
– According to the release, all of Canada’s labour force growth will come from immigration over the next five years because Canada’s low birth rates and older population, most of which is set to retire soon, will result in a smaller work force.
Intake
President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
