This business line supports the objective of deriving maximum economic and social benefit for Canada from the global movement of people. The immigration levels range published for 1996 was 195,000 to 220,000 immigrants. A total of 225,313 immigrants were landed in Canada during 1996. The actual number exceeded the projections since more immigrants met immigration selection criteria than expected. The greatest variance from planned immigration levels occurred in the economic class demonstrating that Canada remains an attractive destination for well-trained workers with necessary skills to perform in Canada's high skill economy.
Work continues to develop the new selection criteria for economic stream immigrants.
A Memorandum of Understanding with Canada Post was entered into during 1996-97 to allow for the production and distribution of immigration application kits in Canada through its Docupost service. This new agreement allows for improved service to the public through the maintenance of an easily accessed inventory of kits, and ensures that approved changes can be made quickly to the kits. It is estimated that this investment and the contribution of new business immigrants to Canada resulted in over 15,500 jobs created. CIC has been working with the provinces to develop a new Immigrant Investor Program to maximize economic benefit, limit the potential for abuse, simplify the administration of the program, and share more responsibility for program management with the provinces. Meanwhile, an interim program was established in July 1996 and is in effect until December 31, 1997.