Canada granted more than 430,000 new permanent residents in 2022 and aims to welcome half a million immigrants in the next two years.
Based on the recent publication by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the number of new permanent residents in Canada is approximately 8% more than the total number of PRs granted in 2021. Canada has exceeded its projected immigration target for two consecutive years.
In recent years, Canada prioritized its economic immigration programs as it became its source of immigrants. Many immigrants come to Canada through economic streams, such as the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and temporary resident to permanent resident pathways – comprising almost 60% of all new Canadian permanent residency in 2022.
Canada - Philippines Relations
The volume of immigrants granted PR is undeniably staggering, but it is still not easy to be granted permanent residency (PR) in the country.
That being said, the sheer number of immigrants who applied for PR in Canada is quite telling of the country that the new permanent residents are from. It reveals Canada’s economic and immigration relationship with the countries that are considered the top sources of immigration for Canada.
The Philippines has had diplomatic relations with Canada since 1949, and the two countries will soon mark their 75th year of stable bilateral relations in 2024.
The long-standing relationship between the two countries is not without reason. Both countries’ national interests align on many issues.
The two countries work closely to maintain international peace and security, and their joint efforts include responding to threats posed by international terrorist groups. Canada supports the Philippines in bolstering accountable governance, as well as in promoting diversity and human rights. This led to efforts to combat human smuggling and online sexual exploitation of children.
Moreover, the bilateral merchandise trade summed up to $2.7 billion in 2021, substantially higher than the $2.1 billion total merchandise trade in 2020. Currently, Canada and the Philippines are negotiating a free trade agreement in the context of the Canada-ASEAN FTA negotiation.
Why is the Philippines a significant source of immigration to Canada?
There are many reasons why the Philippines is one of the top sources of immigration for Canada.
Strong ties between the Philippines and Canada
Canada and the Philippines have had strong diplomatic and economic ties for many years. Canada is a popular destination for Filipino immigrants, with many Filipinos coming to Canada to work in industries such as healthcare, hospitality, and construction.
With well-established trade relations for years, professionals from various sectors offer the greatest opportunities for both Canadian companies and the Philippines itself.
Due to this, there has been an ever-increasing people-to-people link between Canada and the Philippines contributing to the growth of the population of both societies. This resulted in making the Philippines among the top sources of immigration for Canada.
Labor shortages in Canada
According to the 2021 census, over 950,000 people of Filipino descent live in Canada, making Filipino Canadians the third-largest Asian Canadian group in the country. This makes up 2.58% of the Canadian population.
Although the number is increasing constantly, immigrants from the Philippines to Canada remain important to both the Canadian and Philippine economies. Especially with the all-time-high demand for immigrants to help fill significant labor shortages in Canada.
Canada's immigration policies
Canada has a point-based immigration system that emphasizes factors such as language proficiency, education, and work experience. Filipinos tend to score well in these categories, which increases their chances of being selected for immigration to Canada.
Language proficiency
Since Canada has a point-based immigration system that includes language proficiency, it is advantageous to most Filipinos. After all, many Filipinos are proficient in English, which is one of Canada’s official languages. This makes it easier for them to integrate into the Canadian society and find employment.
Where does the Philippines rank?
For many years in the last decade, the Philippines was the top source country for new immigrants in Canada, but in 2022, the country was ranked fifth. With 22,070 Filipino immigrants landing a PR, making up 5.04% of the accounted Canadian PR.
There are several reasons why the Philippines is where it is currently ranked. First would be the land area and population of the country. Comparing the Philippines to the two leading countries, which are India and China, both countries are significantly bigger and more populated than the Philippines. In addition, the number of immigrants they are sending to Canada per year is substantially higher as well.
Regardless of all that, the Philippines still make up one of the larger diaspora communities in Canada, and this number is increasing constantly every year. While the Philippines is listed as one of the top sources of immigration for Canada, immigrants from the Philippines are still in high demand.
Moreover, the majority of Filipino immigrants landed a PR through Express Entry, after acquiring a high rank based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Also, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) prioritizes family reunification as it is one of the pillars of Canada’s immigration system.
They invite more than 50% of these immigrants under the Spouses, Partners, and Children Program.
Canada is welcoming new immigrants by 2025
The number of people moving to Canada may seem like a lot, but Canada has set a target of welcoming 500,000 new immigrants in the next two years. The reason why Canada is inviting more immigrants is because of their aging population and low birth rate.
To support their economy’s growth and bolster the ranks of their labor force, they placed considerable importance on granting PRs to workers with English language proficiency, education, work experience, and drive to be successful in the fields they are in.
This is also why Canada encourages Filipino citizens to visit their family and friends in Canada. Not only will this make immigrants find adjusting to Canadian society easier, but this also allows more immigrants to come into the country through family sponsorship. Which is currently the second-largest immigrant class arriving in the country.
Additionally, immigrants who desire to be more successful in the country and acquire more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points choose to study at Canadian colleges and universities, while they find a job.
Is it an opportune time for Filipinos to start studying in Canada and immigrate?
Yes! It’s a perfect time for Filipinos to study in Canada since Canada is inviting professionals from different backgrounds in the coming years. While the government of Canada is welcoming immigrants through various immigration programs, Canadian companies are also looking forward to hiring more professionals to keep up with the country’s current economic trend.
It is also easier to find a high-skilled job in one of the companies in Canada when you have studied at a Canadian university, and companies will tend to keep professionals that are properly equipped and well-informed about their work ethics and policies. So, the coming years might be a good year to pursue career advancement by studying in Canada, and landing a PR might not be that far off.
If you want to know more about immigrating to Canada, you can always schedule an online appointment with us. Fill out our easy online application form or contact us at +63 917 555 9027.
