High rate of Canadian immigration maintained in 2009

More than 500,000 permanent and temporary residents were welcomed by Canadian Immigration in 2009. The 252,124 permanent residents
were well within the government’s planned range of 240,000 to 265,000 new permanent residents for the year, and is about 30,000 higher than the average annual intake of permanent residents in the 1990s.

“Momentum toward a full economic recovery continued throughout 2009, and immigration will continue to support that momentum,” said Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism.

“The Government of Canada is maintaining immigration levels to meet Canada’s short-, medium- and long-term economic needs, help offset our aging population and low birthrate, and sustain our workforce.”

Canada also welcomed an additional 178,640 temporary foreign workers and 85,131 foreign students in 2009, and many will be able to apply to stay in the country permanently.

The Canadian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people lodge their Canadian Visa applications with the Canadian Embassy.