Rhythm Sachdeva CTV News Nov. 23, 2022
Shortly after the federal government unveiled plans for its ambitious goal of seeing 500,000 immigrants arrive each year by 2025, The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published its strategic objectives for Asia and the Americas.
The federal government's immigration goals put a heavy emphasis on admitting more permanent residents with needed work skills and experience to supplement Canada's historic labour shortage.
Its plan also projects an overall decrease in the number of refugees, from a high of 76,000 in 2023 to fewer than 73,000 in 2025, which Immigration Minister Sean Fraser attributed to the government's plan to finish resettling 40,000 Afghan refugees next year.
The IRCC's latest objectives, developed in consultation with Global Affairs Canada, Canada Border Services Agency and Public Safety Canada, aim to improve immigration, migration and refugee patterns in Canada through collaboration with foreign governments.
The outlined partnership goals in Asia and the Americas offer a clearer picture of Canada's immigration goals per country.
A full list can be found in the IRCC's latest report.
ASIA
- Afghanistan: As part of its mission to strengthen support and protections for refugees and vulnerable communities around the world, Canada has committed to accepting more than 40,000 Afghan refugees.
- Bangladesh: Canada has indicated that it intends to collaborate closely with the Bangladeshi government to improve the calibre and scope of migration initiatives. Also mentioned as a major concern is the predicament of the Rohingya Muslims in Bangladesh, which is in line with Canada's goal of enhancing international refugee protection.
- China: The IRCC engages in talks with China on an as-needed basis to handle mutual irritants such as long wait times for visas. As Canada continues to take immigration measures in response to the treatment of the Uyghur and Hong Kong populations, bilateral relations have become fragile.
- India: India has long been a big contributor to Canadian immigration. According to the IRCC, 25 per cent of the total number of permanent residents in 2019 were from India. The IRCC will continue to further Canada's interests by promoting economic and social relations with India while simultaneously boosting the size of its immigration efforts from the nation.
- Pakistan: In addition to working with the government to help relief efforts for those affected by the crisis in nearby Afghanistan, Canada wants to boost overall immigration from Pakistan even more.
- South Korea: In an effort to boost resettlement and integration activities among South Korean immigrants in Canada, IRCC intends to collaborate with the South Korean government.
THE AMERICAS
- Brazil: In an effort to strengthen bilateral agreements and economic relations with Brazil, the IRCC will continue to support programs for legal immigration from Brazil while also promoting immigration to Brazilians. Brazil is considered a critical partner for all of its goals in the Americas, thus the government will continue to improve processing times and immigration channels for Brazilians.
- Colombia: While addressing irregular immigration from Colombia, dealing with repatriation, and assisting asylum seekers and refugees from neighbouring Venezuela, Canada will collaborate with Colombian officials to encourage legal channels for immigration from the country.
- Haiti: Canada will engage with Haiti to support regular immigration between the two nations while assisting those who need asylum and are seeking protection in Canada.
- Mexico: By encouraging legal immigration routes like the CUSMA work visa program, Canada will seek to step up its regular migration efforts with Mexico. Along with helping refugees and asylum seekers, the IRCC will co-operate with Mexico to resolve cases of irregular entry. Canada sees Mexico as a critical partner in achieving its regional strategic goals.