New Permanent Residents

Canada welcomed 53,514 new permanent residents (principal applicants, spouses and dependants) in the final quarter of 2003, an increase of almost 28% in comparison with the final quarter of 2002. This brought the total number to 221,340 for 2003—slightly above the lower end of the 220,000 to 245,000 range established in the Immigration Plan for 2003.

Economic immigrants (principal applicants, spouses and dependants) accounted for 55% (122,744) of the year-end total for all landings, family class immigrants for 32% (70,707) and refugees and other protected persons for 12% (25,960).

In addition to the Canada–Quebec Accord, which gives Quebec all rights and responsibilities for the selection of immigrants, agreements have been signed between the federal government and several other provinces and territories in Canada that allow them to nominate immigrants who can make a specific contribution to their economy. The total number of provincial and territorial nominees climbed to 4,418 in 2003, more than double the level recorded in 2002 (2,127). The same scenario occurred for live-in caregivers who obtained permanent resident status, which increased to 3,301 from 1,981 in the previous year.

China continued to be the primary source country in 2003, accounting for 16% of all new permanent residents, followed by India, Pakistan and the Philippines. In 2003, an increase of 9% was noted for China and the Philippines. In contrast, permanent residents from India declined by 15% and those from Pakistan by 13%. Other countries which noted increased movements since 2002 included the United States and the United Kingdom (13% and 10% more permanent residents, respectively), while immigrants arriving from Iran declined by 27%.