According to the minister, Canada plans to accept between 245,000 and 260,000 immigrants this year. This means that immigration levels will remain roughly the same as last year, when 247,000 foreigners arrived in the country for permanent residence.
However, the economic crisis that has also hit the Maple Leaf country may lead to a reduction in the quota for the number of immigrant visas issued. In January 2009 alone, the unemployment rate in Canada rose to 7.2%. In such conditions, it is difficult for newly arriving immigrants to find work and successfully adapt to the country.
The final decision on revising immigration quotas may be made in the coming months after consultations with representatives of federal and provincial government agencies. As experts note, if the economic crisis continues, Canada may first reduce the number of temporary workers arriving in the country.