Backgrounder - Public Consultation

Canada’s Economic Immigration Program

Economic immigrants are selected to come to Canada largely based on how well they can contribute to the Canadian economy. Some economic immigrants come here to start businesses and create jobs for themselves and for Canadians. Others come to help fill labour shortages when Canadian job seekers don’t have the skills employers need, so that Canada has a strong work force.

Like other countries with ageing populations, Canada risks not having enough people of working age to keep our economy strong. Immigration plays an important role in building our work force.

Economic immigration planning takes into account our economic outlook over the short, medium and long term, and our national and regional labour needs. We want our immigration program to respond to these economic and labour market needs.

At the same time, we have to make sure we can process the applications we receive as quickly and efficiently as possible. We want Canada to stand out as countries around the world compete to attract the most skilled and talented immigrant workers, investors and entrepreneurs.

Finally, we must consider the needs of immigrants themselves, including how likely they are to find work in their field when they arrive. We want immigrants to stay and succeed in Canada. This is where our selection system comes in.

Selecting Economic Immigrants

Research shows that factors like an immigrant’s language skills, age and education account for up to 60 percent of their economic success. The other 40 percent depends on factors outside an immigrant’s control, such as our country’s economic conditions.

In 2008, we introduced changes to how we select economic immigrants as part of the Action Plan for Faster Immigration. The changes authorized the Minister to issue instructions to immigration officers on which applications are eligible for processing, based on the Government of Canada’s immigration goals.

The ministerial instructions are an important part of the selection of economic immigrants. They help us select people who can fill projected work force needs. Because these needs change, the instructions must change too.

The consultation took place from March 16-April 16, 2010.  We are now compiling results and will post a summary report of the findings on this website.