Government of Canada’s Immigration Planning Story

Every year, the Government of Canada sets a plan for how many immigrants it will admit into Canada. In developing this immigration plan, the government considers a number of factors including Canada’s economic needs, family reunification and humanitarian goals.

Reaching the planned immigration levels every year is a complex process that has three distinct steps: determining the immigration plan, establishing operational targets for all regions and offices, and counting the people who immigrate.

Step 1: Determining Canada’s Immigration Plan

Each year, the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism tables the Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration on or before November 1. The Report includes an “immigration plan” for how many people will be admitted to Canada as permanent residents the following year from abroad and from within Canada. The people who are already in Canada might be students, temporary foreign workers or people waiting for a decision on their permanent resident application.

In developing the immigration plan, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) consults extensively with other government departments, public stakeholders, provinces and territories. It also considers the country’s economic needs as well as our family reunification and humanitarian commitments. (Read this backgrounder for more information on the immigration planning process.)

When we describe our immigration plan, we refer to three main immigration categories: Economic, Family and Protected Persons (Refugees). For each category, there is an estimated range for the number of admissions planned for the following year. The term “admissions” refers to people who arrive in Canada and become permanent residents.

Step 2: Establishing Operational Targets

In order to meet the number of admissions set out in the plan, CIC establishes what are known as “operational targets.” Operational targets are the number of applications (in persons) that must be finalized by processing offices in order to have admissions fall within the range set in the immigration plan. As of 2013, operational targets are based on the total number of persons covered by applications to be finalized, including both positive and negative decisions as well as withdrawals. In previous years, operational targets were based on positive decisions only. Consequently, operational targets are higher than the planned immigration levels.

Additionally, operational targets are higher because when applicants receive visas, they determine when to use them and whether they will use them. For example, at any given time there are applicants who have been issued a visa but who have not used it yet. Some may also end up deciding not to come to Canada after all. As a result, operational targets must also consider the fact that about two percent of people who get a visa do not use the visa, and that some people delay their arrival to Canada until the following year.

CIC regularly monitors the progress of its processing network toward achieving the assigned operational targets. If necessary, targets may be reallocated in response to changing circumstances.

Step 3: Counting Admissions to Canada

Throughout the year, CIC keeps track of the number of new permanent residents who arrive in Canada from abroad and those who become permanent residents from within Canada. Operational targets can be adjusted throughout the year based on whether admissions are on track or not. CIC releases preliminary figures, usually in February, for admissions from the previous year. Final admission numbers are released in CIC’s Facts and Figures publication, usually by the summer.

A Look at Canada’s Immigration Planning and Results

The table below shows the levels range, the operational targets and the total admissions.

  Levels range Operational targets Total admissions (in persons)
2013 240,000–265,000

Operational targets

Visa Office targets
Economic
Non-Economic

 N/A

It is important to note that as of 2013, operational targets are now based on the total number of persons covered by applications to be finalized, including both positive and negative decisions as well as withdrawals. In previous years, operational targets were based on positive decisions only. This change provides a more accurate assessment of the work to be done in our processing offices in the year to come. However, it also means that it is not possible to compare the operational targets for last year with the operational targets for this year.

For more information