CIC described 2012 thus far as a “year of transformation” with regard to immigration. The organization has implemented numerous changes over the past several months that “focus on the role of immigration in supporting Canada’s economic growth”. This is part of the government’s overall goal of creating a “faster, more flexible” Canadian immigration system.

According to the report, immigration developments in 2013 will continue this trend of adjusting Canada’s system to bring it more in line with economic and social needs.

Immigration levels in 2013 are expected to remain the same (between 240,000 and 265,000 a year). The decision to maintain levels of immigration was determined through consultations with stakeholders and the Canadian public.

Within this overall number, slight changes will be made to levels of immigrants admitted through different immigration streams. Canadian Experience Class (CEC), for instance, is expected to increase the numbers of visas issued each year to 10,000. Conversely, the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program will slightly lessen its burden to issue visas, with a projected admissions target of 55,300. Additional changes in admissions targets are projected for humanitarian classes.