Maple News reports that Canada continued to demonstrate robust immigration performance through February 2021, putting the country on a strong path toward meeting its ambitious annual target of 401,000 new permanent residents.
According to newly released figures from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), 23,375 individuals became permanent residents in February. This follows nearly 25,000 newcomers welcomed in January, bringing the year-to-date total to 48,000 — closely tracking with the 50,600 permanent residents recorded in the first two months of 2020.
This marks a significant recovery for Canadian immigration, which faced major disruptions in 2020 due to COVID-19. That year, immigration levels dropped sharply to 184,370 new arrivals, far short of the initial goal of 341,000. In response, Minister of Immigration Marco Mendicino unveiled Canada’s boldest Immigration Levels Plan to date in October 2020, aiming to make up lost ground with 401,000 newcomers in 2021 — a number not seen since 1913.
Unlike last year, when March brought dramatic declines due to travel restrictions and global uncertainty, this year’s data is expected to show growth in newcomer arrivals through the first quarter. This rebound is being driven in part by a more stabilized immigration system and targeted strategies to convert those already in Canada, such as temporary foreign workers and international graduates, into permanent residents.
IRCC is leveraging economic immigration pathways like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), which favor candidates with Canadian work or study experience. In February, IRCC held its largest-ever Express Entry draw, inviting over 27,000 CEC applicants to apply for permanent residence — a historic move aimed at accelerating the nation’s economic recovery and meeting immigration targets despite border constraints.
Express Entry remains the primary channel for skilled immigrants to enter Canada, accounting for roughly 25% of the country’s yearly intake. With more than 100 different economic-class immigration streams available, Canada continues to adapt its approach to attract talent, both from within the country and, where possible, from abroad.
While international travel restrictions remain in place, Canada is still admitting individuals exempt from these rules, including essential workers and approved family reunification cases. This dual-track strategy — transitioning eligible residents and approving select foreign applicants — is central to achieving immigration goals amid ongoing global challenges.
Historically, Canada welcomed between 25,000 and 35,000 immigrants per month before the pandemic. The return to this range in early 2021 signals that the country’s immigration infrastructure is regaining momentum and reasserting its role as a global leader in skilled migration.
As Canada eyes a long-term economic rebound, maintaining strong immigration levels will be critical to offset demographic challenges and support future growth. Maple News will continue to monitor and report on Canada’s immigration performance and policy shifts as they unfold.