Canada Welcomed More Immigrants In 2021 Than It Has Ever Before In A Single Year
The previous record was from all the way back in 1913!
Throughout 2021, Canada welcomed the most immigrants it ever has during a single year in its entire history!
It was announced by Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser on December 23 that Canada has now reached its target of welcoming in more than 401,000 new permanent residents this year.
This surpasses the previous record that was set all the way back in 1913, which makes it the most newcomers in a year in Canadian history.
"This is a historic moment for our country, as we welcome the highest number of newcomers in a century," Fraser said.
Also, employees with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada processed a record-breaking half a million applications in 2021!
Due to the pandemic, the majority of the more than 401,000 new permanent residents that were welcomed in 2021 were already in Canada on temporary status.
Back in 2020, the federal government set immigration targets for 2021, 2022 and 2023.
The plan is to welcome 411,000 permanent residents in 2022 and 421,000 in 2023 which will then add up to over 1,200,000 people in three years with the 2021 total included.
In 2019, Canada welcomed over 341,000 permanent residents and in 2020, that number dropped to just over 184,500 new permanent residents.
Not only are people moving to Canada but people here are moving within the country as well.
Just between January and June 2021, over 200,000 people ditched their province or territory for somewhere else in the True North. More people left Ontario than any other place in the country during that time!
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.