Canada’s population booms by 1 million people within a year, creating yet another population milestone. Moreover, the majority of credit for this significant population growth goes to immigration.

Canada’s population booms by 1 million people within a year

Statistics Canada data reports that as of April 1, 2024, the population surpassed 41 million individuals. Per the most recent reports, Canada’s population flourished to a record-high level of 40 million in June 2023.

At least a quarter of this progress in the population occurred between January and April 2024. 242,673 individuals arrived in Canada during the same period, indicating a quarterly increase of 0.6 percent.

Moreover, 240,955 people came here using temporary and permanent immigration pathways.

A rising number of permanent immigrants prefer Maritime provinces

Recent data shows that Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island witnessed record-high growth with the arrival of permanent immigrants. The report considers permanent immigrants to be people with permanent residency status or who were landed immigrants.

Out of the total new immigrants (121,758 newcomers) who arrived through PR programs, more than 9,000 preferred settling in Maritime provinces. This indicates the highest-ever growth since 1971.

The demand for highly skilled workers in these Maritime provinces is the key reason behind this significant level of growth.

A gradual decline in the growth of non-permanent residents

The recent increase in non-permanent residents in Canada accounts for a massive number of 2,793,594 non-PRs as of April. Out of these, 2,432,282 were work or study permit holders. Meanwhile, the rest of the 363,312 were protected individuals, asylum claimants, and other associated groups.

Statistics Canada reported that several NPRs came to Canada in the first quarter of 2024 before IRCC announced the limitation on the TRs who could now come here. The Immigration Levels Plan declared the number of temporary residents arriving in Canada in the forthcoming years.

Overall, 131,810 NPRs contributed to the Canadian population in the first quarter of 2024. Furthermore, the report reflects a rise over the same period in 2023. However, it continues to be one of the slowest rises since 2022 despite eliminating numerous barriers related to the pandemic.
The data, devoid of TRs, claims that the growth rate in the first quarter would only be 0.3 percent.

A decline in the study permits

Out of all the permit holders, the number of study permit holders witnessed a decline of over 24,000 in the first quarter. This is in comparison to the same period in 2023. According to Statistics Canada, a reduced number of study permits is typically common at that specific point of the year. However, one can’t deny the significant decline. This decline could have been a result of ample changes to Canada’s International Student Program declared in January.

For instance, international students must acquire a Provincial Attestation Letter from their Designated Learning Institution. Canadian provinces grant PALs keeping in mind the number of international student approvals that IRCC distributes to each province. Furthermore, it implies that each international student acceptance must get approval from the provincial government of the DLIs.

These distributions are a part of IRCCs recently introduced study permit cap that it will execute in 2024.
In addition, IRCC will process just 606,000 study permit applications in 2024, which is 60 percent of the predicted growth.

After the declaration in January, Canadian provinces could implement a system for PALs until March 31. However, most provinces didn’t start the implementation until being too close to the deadline. As a result, one witnessed delayed processing of study permit applications.

Canada’s immigration targets

Statistics Canada claims that the number of PR holders in Canada aligns well with the Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026. The plan reflects that Canada will receive 485,000 new immigrants through PR pathways toward the end of 2024. The target is to increase up to 500,000 in 2025 and stay firm at the same target in 2026. However, the targets for the upcoming two years are not high and are liable to change in the forthcoming plan of 2025-2027.

According to IRCC, the temporary residence plan will appear to be a soft cap for temporary residents, including study or work permit holders or those having a Temporary Resident Visa.
The above changes are coming to the limelight only due to the ongoing emphasis on Canada’s healthcare system and the effect of a faster-growing population on housing affordability.
The Canadian government also observes that the support for high-level immigration targets has fallen drastically.

The Environics Institute reported that support for higher immigration targets reached a peak in 2022. However, it eventually declined by 20 percent in 2023.
Furthermore, the latest Express Entry draws have targeted candidates who will likely reside and work in Canada as TRs, with two PNP-specific draws in the last month. Also, there was another draw for candidates under the Canadian Experience Class program. As a result, IRCC might fulfill its aim for 2024 without contributing to the Canadian population by welcoming overseas candidates.

Do you have any queries on Canadian immigration? Get in touch with our immigration representatives at NavaImmigration by writing to us at [email protected].