Canada is on track to welcome well over 500,000 new immigrants in 2024, despite a slight dip in the number of new permanent residents in June, according to the latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
After a steady increase earlier this year, the number of new permanent residents fell by 4.9% in June, bringing in 44,540 new immigrants. This follows a strong performance in May, when 46,835 newcomers were granted permanent residency, and in April, with 42,595 arrivals. The year began more slowly, with only 34,870 new permanent residents in March.
If the current pace continues, Canada could welcome approximately 511,410 new permanent residents by the end of 2024. This would represent an 8.4% increase over the 471,815 immigrants recorded in 2023, which was a record-breaking year. The projected figure also exceeds the government’s 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan target of 485,000 and the upcoming targets of 500,000 for 2025 and 2026.
Despite a strong outlook, the first half of 2024 has seen 2.9% fewer new permanent residents compared to the same period last year, with a total of 255,700 arrivals.
Ontario remains the top destination for new immigrants, attracting 106,500 new permanent residents in the first six months of the year—accounting for more than 41.6% of all newcomers to Canada.
Economic immigration programs, including the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and others, were responsible for 52.7% of Ontario’s new permanent residents, bringing in 56,155 people. Family sponsorships contributed 25,610 new residents, while refugee and protected persons programs added 19,755.
Other provinces and territories saw varying levels of new permanent residents:
- Newfoundland and Labrador: 3,015
- Prince Edward Island: 2,495
- Nova Scotia: 8,330
- New Brunswick: 8,890
- Quebec: 30,315
- Manitoba: 13,425
- Saskatchewan: 13,015
- Alberta: 34,375
- British Columbia: 34,535
- Yukon: 530
- Northwest Territories: 230
- Nunavut: 20
In June, only Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, and Ontario saw increases in monthly immigration. Newfoundland and Labrador’s immigration numbers rose by 3.7%, Quebec by 2.4%, and Ontario remained stable with a slight increase of 0.1%.
Canada’s immigration system operates through a combination of federal Express Entry programs and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) across the provinces. Temporary immigration, which surged during the pandemic, is expected to be addressed under a new immigration levels plan set to be announced in September by Immigration Minister Marc Miller.