As the Government of Canada continues its process of increasing the number of immigrant acceptance, the figures are expected to cross a million newcomers by the end of 2022.

Marco Mendicino, Federal immigration minister released the immigration plan levels on Thursday, saying that the country will admit 341,000 permanent residents in 2020, 351,000 next year and 361,000 in 2022.

The minister said that the new year’s permanent residents in Canada will account for one percent of the population by 2022.

“Our plan will benefit all Canadians because immigration drives economic growth, contributes to our diversity, spurs innovation and helps employers across the country access the talent they need to succeed and thrive,” Mendicino said.

Both the Liberals, and the Conservatives before them, were striving to increase the number of permanent residents for years. It was in 2018 that for the first time since 1913, more than 300,000 people were admitted to the country, with 318,000 new permanent residents. The numbers rose again last year to just over 341,000, exceeding the government’s target.

The Liberals’ latest immigration plan also includes pledges to keep commitments they made during the fall election campaign.

The plan includes to make a permanent pilot project to allow Atlantic Canada to choose its own permanent residents along with creating a new program to make human-rights advocates, journalists and aid workers at risk abroad to resettle. The liberals had promised during the election campaigns about accepting up to 250 people through this program, but the minister couldn’t provide any further details about how this would work.

The country is expecting an overall number of 49,700 refugees and protected people in 2020, and this number was applauded by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees representative in Ottawa.

High Commissioner Rema Jamous Imseis said in a statement “Canada continues to demonstrate leadership at a critical time when refugee needs are growing worldwide,”.

“This is great news not only for the Canada of today, but also for future generations to come, as refugees make essential contributions to our country’s economy and our communities” She added.

Most number of permanent residents will be admitted in economic programs, moving with a dominant trend.

Mendicino said that the government is also committed to reunifying families in Canada as well through a modified new version of the parent and grandparent visa program.