Prosperity-Driven Immigration for Canada
Improving immigration in Canada to support long-term opportunity, well-being, and prosperity of all Canadians
Between 2023 and 2025, Canada is expected to welcome 1.5 million new residents, as part of the federal government’s goal to increase immigration targets.
Immigration has long been a major positive benefit to Canadian society, from uniting families and offering safety to those fleeing dangerous situations to enriching and strengthening the cultural fabric of our society, as well as growing our economy.
That’s important, because the purpose of this increase is economic, with the idea being that these newcomers will fill labour shortages to grow the economy.
And while immigration will certainly help Canada bake a larger pie, it alone is not enough to ensure everyone gets a larger slice. The reality is that increasing immigration targets alone will not improve the quality of life for all Canadians and will not make the Canadian dream a reality for newcomers.
We need more than bigger targets. We need a better strategy—one that ensures we can grow our economy and that everyone has the opportunity to benefit.
The purpose of this project is to inform an immigration strategy for Canada that is focused on improving the long-term prosperity, well-being, and quality of life for all Canadians, including the newest Canadians. We call it Prosperity-Driven Immigration for Canada.
Read our latest publication
Immigration Snapshot
Who is immigrating to Canada and Alberta
Background
In 2022, Canada experienced record levels of immigration and is now well on its way to breaking these records.
With the federal government’s new targets, immigration will account for all of Canada’s population growth and nearly all the workforce growth between now and 2036. That means that almost 30% of the population and 37% of the workforce will be immigrants.
With this projected growth, it is even more important to address the cracks in the system, including the roadblocks to immigrants’ success as well as the criteria and selection process for economic immigrants. These cracks can lead to weak economic outcomes for immigrants while businesses struggle to find skilled workers.
Canada has enjoyed strong public support for immigration for many years, but if these challenges are left unaddressed, this support is at risk.
Immigration can be an important lever of economic growth for Canada, but we must pull that lever in a way that ensures all Canadians, including new, recent, and permanent residents have access to greater opportunity because of it.
What is Prosperity Driven Immigration?
Immigration policy is not inherently prosperity-driven, but it can be.
Done well, immigration can meet labour market needs, support new immigrants in their chosen field, narrow disparities in economic and social outcomes, and ultimately boost productivity and economic growth.
There are three components to a prosperity-driven approach to immigration:
Market Responsiveness
Ensuring that immigration selection is responsive to the real skills and experience needed by businesses to drive growth and administered by processes that are nimble and efficient.
Immigrant Support
Addressing common barriers immigrants face to ensure they can fully participate in the economy and society.
Long-Term Success
Limiting unintended consequences on immigrants themselves and other Canadians, especially the most vulnerable (e.g., affordability of housing, economic outcomes of recent immigrants and equity-deserving groups).
Explore More
This timeline is frequently updated with new publications that explore a different facet of an improved immigration strategy for Canada.Â
Canada’s Immigration Target Increase—Explained
The federal government aims to attract 1.5 million new residents to Canada by 2025. This short piece looks at the scale, significance, and high stakes of this increase.
Immigrants to Canada: Who They Are & How They Come Here
This piece will explore who is migrating to Canada and the various immigration streams, including economic, family, refugee/humanitarian, and students.
What is Prosperity-Driven Immigration?
This piece will examine the nuanced relationship between economic growth and immigration, delving into how increased immigration targets impact living standards for current residents and new immigrants.
Deep Dive: Canada’s Current Immigration Strategy
Canada’s immigration program has been a model for other nations, but few know how it works. This piece will investigate the mechanisms of Canada’s economic strategy, how it has changed, and how well immigrants do over time.
Deep Dive: Alberta’s Role in Immigration
This piece delves into the provincial role in immigration via the Provincial Nominee Program.
A Snapshot of Alberta’s Labour Force Needs
This piece will survey the current landscape of Alberta’s labour force, changing employer needs and consider how immigration strategies should evolve to ensure labour needs are met.
Common Barriers Immigrants Face (And How We Might Address Them)
A prosperity-driven immigration strategy stresses the importance of supporting immigrants upon landing and throughout their early residence. This piece outlines the common barriers faced by new immigrants and strategies to mitigate and eliminate them, emphasizing the importance of supporting immigrants in their early residence.
A Look at the Unintended Consequences of Immigration
This piece explores the most significant challenges and potential consequences of a large-scale immigration strategy, including housing affordability and wage growth, among others.
Media Inquiries
For more information on this project or to arrange an interview with a spokesperson, please contact: media@businesscouncilab.comÂ