Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney recently announced that Canada is considering a cut in the number of immigrants to be welcomed to Canada in 2009, citing economic uncertainty and rising unemployment numbers in the country.

"We don't want people coming to Canada and facing unemployment. We need to be sensitive to the changing labour market, and if we need to make modifications, we will," stated Minister Kenney.

He will be meeting with federal, provincial, and territorial officials at the end of March to review economic data and to determine if modifications to immigration levels are needed.

For now, the plan is maintain the current immigration target of between 240,000 to 265,000 newcomers.

Minister Kenney's preference is to stick with this target because immigrants will be greatly needed to help fuel Canada's economic growth once the economy turns around.

"We don't want to turn off the tap of the future growth that is represented by immigration."

Minister Kenney went on to say: "We need to be flexible, prudent and ensure that our response to short-term conditions does not counter out long-term goals, in which immigration will play a significant role."

He noted that Canada is the only developed country that has not reduced its immigration levels in the face of the global economic downturn. However, given the fast-pace of economic changes, Kenney said that the situation will be monitored very closely.

The decision will be made by the end of March. In the meantime, Citizenship and Immigration Canada continues to accept Canadian immigration applications.