More language resources needed for Canadian newcomers: experts

As Ottawa unveils its immigration plan for 2024-26 this week, immigration experts say more resources are needed to help new permanent residents settle into life in Canada.

As Ottawa unveils its immigration plan for 2024-26 this week, immigration experts say more resources are needed to help new permanent residents settle into life in Canada.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced Wednesday that Canada will not cut immigration levels and plans to hold its target of annual newcomers steady at 500,00 people starting in 2026.

“I was a little bit surprised that they didn’t reduce the numbers given the discourse that’s been going on in the public about too many immigrants coming, but I think it also speaks to the need that we have for newcomers to come here for all kinds of reasons,” Lori Wilkinson, a professor in the department of sociology and criminology at the University of Manitoba, told Global News.

Wilkinson noted the importance of immigration for not only labour shortage reasons but also population numbers, with an aging population and lowering fertility rates in Canada.

Canada’s latest immigration plan maintains previously set targets of welcoming 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024, 500,000 new permanent residents in 2025 and another 500,000 in 2026.

Wilkinson says more resources are needed to support newcomers in Canada.

“We have to start thinking about how we welcome newcomers into society, because there’s a lot of research that shows your first few years experience in Canada predicts how well you will integrate in all aspects of life — in schooling, your kids, in your job, in the community,” she said.

“So if you don’t have a good two or three first years, it’s going to be difficult for you.”