New Liberal immigration baseline: 300,000 next year, with more in future years

Higher immigration targets are one part of a multi-pronged Liberal strategy to prod economic growth and stave off a slowdown in coming years. Another prong comes Tuesday when Finance Minister Bill Morneau delivers an economic statement that is expected to include some details about new infrastructure spending measures.

The plan is based on the work of a council of high-powered economic advisers who are guiding the Liberal government’s growth strategy. The council recommended increasing immigration levels by the tens of thousands, warning the country could face a demographics crunch without boosts to immigration levels.

In a report released earlier this month, the council wrote that boosting the number of new immigrants would ease the looming crisis of too few working-age Canadians to help fund the social safety net, which depends on tax revenues to pay for things like health care and seniors’ benefits.

The council recommended the government gradually increase immigration levels to 450,000 a year over the next five years, with a boost of 15,000 next year for an immigration target of 315,000.

It is possible the federal government could meet or exceed that recommendation: the report McCallum tabled in Parliament shows that immigration policies next year could yield between 280,000 and 320,000 new permanent residents.

The Liberals have effectively reduced the number of refugees being targeted for next year to 40,000 from 55,800, and bumped up the number of economic immigrants — caregivers and skilled workers, for instance — to 172,500 from 160,600.

McCallum said the 450,000 figure is something to aspire to, but insists that target wasn’t considered in establishing next year’s immigration target.

McCallum said the government plans to address concerns from some industries who face bureaucratic burdens in hiring foreign workers for senior executive and high specialized roles with the skill sets lacking in Canada.

Jordan Press, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

New Liberal immigration baseline: 300,000 next year, with more in future years

What's Happening