How many people will immigrate to Canada in 2009?

According to introduction data released by Citizenship and Immigration, Canada greeted an extraordinary number of permanent and temporary residents in the year 2008.

Canadian Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney said that even as other countries are talking about reducing the number of immigrants, Canada improved the number of new permanent residents to Canada.

Canada greeted 247,202 permanent residents in the year 2008 which was well inside the government’s intended range of 240,000 to 265,000 new permanent residents for the year. Further 79,459 foreign students and 193,061 temporary foreign workers resulted in a collective total of 519,722 newcomers in Canada for the year 2008.

The high number of temporary foreign workers discloses increased manpower demand in the Canadian labor market last year. The appointment of temporary foreign workers is based on labor market demand and employers’ needs.

Canadian minister of Immigration also added that the Canadian government will not go after the recommendation of those who think that Canada must take steps to decrease immigration levels. Canada is maintaining its planned immigration levels for 2009.