BREAKING NEWS

Canada holds 2017 immigration target at 300,000 people

OTTAWA - Canada said on Monday it would let 300,000 immigrants into the country in 2017, maintaining this year's target despite recommendations to increase it to help spur economic growth.
The government said it was establishing 300,000 as a new baseline for the admission of permanent residents, with the majority of those allowed into the country to be selected as economic immigrants.
While the target is unchanged from 2016's plan, it is above the average of 259,542 immigrants admitted from 2011 to 2015.
Immigration Minister John McCallum told reporters that making the 300,000 target permanent laid the foundation for future immigration growth.