The Canadian federal government is planning a massive increase in the number of immigrants entering Canada, with the goal of reaching half a million immigrants arriving in the country each year by 2025.

Canadian Immigration Minister Sean Fraser told reporters on Tuesday that "this step is necessary to ensure Canada's economic prosperity as the country struggles with a labor shortage that has resulted in a million job vacancies."

"Our plan focuses on economic growth...by the third year of the plan, 60% of new immigrants will be accepted into the economic immigration categories," Fraser added.

The plan seeks to reach 465,000 people from outside the country in 2023, rising to 500,000 in 2025, with a heavy emphasis on accepting people based on work skills or experience.

Meanwhile, Ottawa is planning a moderate increase in the number of family members that will be accepted into the country, and an overall decrease in the number of refugees.
Source: Middle East News Agency