Maple News reports that Canada welcomed 11,315 new permanent residents in August 2020, marking a decline from the 13,645 admitted just a month earlier in July. The data, released by the Canadian government, highlights the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on immigration volumes.
Compared to the same period in 2019, the difference is particularly stark. In August of last year, nearly 31,600 newcomers were granted permanent residency—almost three times the number welcomed in August 2020. This slump is largely attributed to stringent travel restrictions and processing delays triggered by the global health crisis.
Canada had initially set an ambitious target of admitting 341,000 new immigrants in 2020—a continuation of a multi-year strategy to bolster population and economic growth. However, from January through August 2020, only 128,400 immigrants had arrived. Unless conditions dramatically improve, the country is on course to welcome fewer than 200,000 newcomers this year, a low not seen since 1999.
Despite these setbacks, Canada remains steadfast in its long-term immigration vision. The federal government has continued holding Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws throughout the pandemic. In fact, the third quarter of 2020 saw a record number of invitations issued to skilled workers via the Express Entry system.
The PNP has also stayed active, with provinces such as Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Nova Scotia continuing to nominate immigration candidates to meet local labor market demands. Even Quebec, which operates a distinct selection system, held its largest immigration draw in over a year during this period.
While immigration numbers have temporarily slowed, the federal government’s ongoing efforts and consistent intake through key immigration streams signal a robust commitment to resuming high immigration levels when global conditions stabilize. These measures aim to ensure that Canada remains a top destination for global talent and newcomers in the post-pandemic era.