Immigration to Canada affected by COVID-19

Immigration to Canada decreased by 45.9% from 341,175 in 2019 to 184,585 in 2020. Most media outlets claim that this decrease was due to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the data released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), immigration to the country fell around the same time the travel restrictions took effect.

However, Canada still has the commitment to welcoming high levels of immigrants to support its post-COVID economic recovery. In fact, Minister Mendicino set annual immigration targets at 401,000 immigrants for 2021-2023.