CIC plans to maintain immigration levels of between 240,000 to 265,000 new permanent residents in 2013, for the seventh straight year. This represents the highest sustained level of immigration in Canadian history.

While highlighting elements of the annual immigration levels plan, CIC Minister Jason Kenney also drew attention to the progress being made in reducing the backlog of applications in the Federal Skilled Worker program. This will pave the way for a faster, more flexible economic immigration program. Progress has also been made in reducing the backlog of applications in the Parent and Grandparent program.

Another highlight of the 2013 Immigration Levels Plan was the increased room given to the popular Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The CEC, which was created in 2008, facilitates the transition from temporary to permanent residence for those with high-skilled work experience in Canada, including international students and temporary foreign workers. Admissions under the CEC have increased from about 2,500 people in 2009 to a planned level of up to 10,000 permanent residents next year.

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