2020 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration

For the period ending
December 31, 2019

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

ISSN 1706-3329

PDF Version (PDF, 7.68 MB)

MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER OF IMMIGRATION, REFUGEES AND CITIZENSHIP

Canada continues to be a safe and welcoming destination for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Immigrants enrich Canada beyond measure, and no accounting of our progress over the last century and a half is complete without including the contributions of newcomers. Even as we adjust to the extraordinary challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot lose sight of the enormous benefits immigration presents to our prosperity and way of life. Newcomers bring
their heritage and culture, but also their talent, ideas and perspectives.

Immigrant selection programs administered by the Department continued to grow and innovate in 2019. Much of the growth came from established programs administered through Express Entry and in partnership with provinces through their Provincial Nominee Programs. Moreover, the Department has continued to introduce innovative new programs to make it easier for newcomers to make contributions in specific communities throughout the country. For example, the
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot launched in 2019 to focus economic immigration in Canada’s rural and northern centres. Similarly, the Department has been working to make the Atlantic Immigration Pilot a permanent offering that can respond to the particular labour market needs in that region. For specific economic sectors – caregivers and agri-food – the Department also introduced new pathways to permanent residency to test and meet needs in these critical areas.

The Department’s first-rate selection and settlement programs respond effectively to the large numbers of people seeking a new life and new opportunities in Canada. In 2019, we welcomed over 341,000 permanent residents, including 30,000 resettled refugees. Over 402,000 study permits and 404,000 temporary work permits were also issued.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada continued to provide a number of supports for refugees in Canada in 2019, including temporary health-care coverage, income support, housing assistance and language training. For newcomers, the ability to communicate in their new home is a huge priority. With an investment of $7.6 million over 4 years, the Department selected seven organizations to provide intensive language training to newcomers in Francophone communities.

I am very proud to note as well that the Department has put considerable effort into improving outcomes for vulnerable individuals. In 2019, specific measures were introduced to help migrant workers in abusive job situations, newcomers experiencing family violence, caregivers seeking permanent residency and LGBTI refugees. Canada continued its international leadership in providing and encouraging other countries to create additional protection spaces for the most vulnerable.

Over the past year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has worked tirelessly to provide hope and opportunity to so many people in need, while supporting the diversity and prosperity of Canadian communities. As we respond to the significant challenges of 2020, the Department continues to be focused on delivering the best possible services to Canadians and foreign nationals wanting to come to Canada.

To learn about the Department’s achievements in greater detail, I invite you to read the 2020 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration.