The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and M.P. for Westmount-Ville Marie, Lucienne Robillard, today tabled in the House of Commons the 1999 Immigration Plan, in which she sets out the immigration levels forecast for the coming year and the anticipated results for the current year.
Canada is expected to receive between 180,000 and 200,000 immigrants and refugees this year, although the number forecast was 200,000 to 225,000.
“The main reason the desired levels for 1998 were not reached was the severe economic crisis in Asia,” Minister Robillard stated. “Over 15,000 people in Asian countries to whom Canada had granted right of entry changed their minds at the last minute and decided not to emigrate.”
This decline primarily affects the so-called “economic” immigrants, that is, workers recruited for their skills. The Minister said that she was “pleased to see that the number of immigrants sponsored by members of their immediate families is on the increase.” The Minister also expressed pleasure at the fact that Canada will reach its objective of welcoming 7,300 refugees
from abroad.
Minister Robillard is keeping the same forecast for 1999. The desired levels remain the same: between 200,000 and 225,000 people.
“Canada wants to make it very clear to the international community that its doors are still just as wide open, despite a difficult economic situation,” the Minister said.”We are confident that we will see the Asian financial markets stabilize and the immigration numbers rise again in the coming year”.
The Immigration Plan for 1999, entitled Canada – A Welcoming Land, sets out estimates by class. Canada expects to receive between 177,900 and 195,700 immigrants and between 22,100 and 29,300 refugees.
“A number of factors are taken into account in setting the immigration levels. Canada needs qualified workers, and we support family reunification. But at the same time we take into account Canada’s capacity to integrate newcomers. And we are going to maintain our great humanitarian tradition by once again taking in many refugees,” the Minister indicated.
“Canada will continue to welcome immigrants who will work together with other Canadians to build a more prosperous and more open society.”
BACKGROUNDER
Immigration Plan, 1999
Immigrant Category Range
Skilled Workers 100,200 – 111,200
Business 17,700 – 19,700
Spouses, Fiance(e)s and Children 38,000 – 41,000
Parents and Grandparents 15,500 – 17,300
Other
– Live-in Caregiver Program
– Special Categories 6,500
– Provincial/Territorial Nominees
Total Immigrant 177,900 – 195,700
——————————————————
Refugee Category Range
Government 7,300
Privately Sponsored 2,800 – 4,000
Refugees Landed In Canada and 10,000 – 15,000
Dependants Abroad 2,000 – 3,000
Total Refugee 22,100 – 29,300
——————————————————
Total Immigrant and Refugee 200,000 – 225,000