Given the current global economic situation, some countries have considered reducing immigration numbers. However, Canada has nevertheless pledged to maintain immigration levels and has been named one of the western nations that are least likely to develop an anti-immigration backlash despite the economic crisis by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The OECD, an organization that gives governments economic and social policy advice, presented a report on Tuesday that urged western countries not to close the door on immigration in the face of the global economic crisis.

The OECD said that immigrants have been hit the hardest by the recession, particularly in some European countries and the United States.

However, the organization noted that in countries such as Canada, immigrants are far less likely to face an ‘anti-immigrant backlash’ than in many European countries.

"I think the sense of backlash is much less in countries of permanent settlement like Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. These are all countries that were built on immigration; people still feel it's important to accept immigrants," said John Martin, director for employment, labour and social affairs at OECD.

In March, Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism Canada Minister Jason Kenney met with his provincial and territorial counterparts to review Canada’s immigration targets, and decided that Canada would maintain its immigration targets for 2009.

"Our government will not follow the advice of those who believe that Canada should take steps to reduce immigration levels. In fact, we are maintaining our planned immigration levels for 2009," Kenney said.