Canada to accept up to 265,000 migrants in 2008

Canada expects to welcome "between 240,000 and 265,000 newcomers in 2008", according to the 2007 report presented to the House of Commons on 31 October 2007.

The 2007 'Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration' provided information on immigration figures for 2006 and outlines Canada's immigration strategy for 2008.

Highlights of the report included:

• admitting 240,000 to 265,000 new permanent residents in 2008
• between 139,000 and 154,000 new permanent residents will be admitted under a new program called the Canadian Experience Class. The new stream, to be implemented in 2008, allows certain temporary foreign workers and international students with Canadian degrees and Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residency from within Canada
• admitting between 68,000 and 71,000 migrants under family reunification
• admitting between 26,000 and 31,800 refugees and up to 8,000 people under humanitarian and compassionate reasons as permanent residents

In 2006, Canada granted 251,649 migrants permanent residency. Of these, 138,257 were admitted as skilled migrants, business migrants, provincial nominees, and live-in caregivers. 70,506 were admitted for family reunification, 32,492 were granted asylum, and 10,223 were granted permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

"Our government believes that immigration plays an important role in building our communities and growing our economy," Immigration Minister Diane Finley said in a statement.

"The immigration targets tabled today will help ensure that Canada continues to grow and benefit from all that newcomers and their families bring to our country," she added.