Immigration Levels Plan
Statutory definition
Section 94 of the IRPA requires the Minister to table a report in Parliament each year containing planned admission numbers for the following year (and at least one subsequent year). The Levels Plan specifies targets by category: economic (federal skilled, provincial nominees, caregivers, business), family class, and refugee and humanitarian. The plan drives program intake caps throughout the year.
Explanation
The Levels Plan is the master planning document for Canadian immigration. Increases or decreases in program targets directly affect CRS cutoffs, draw sizes, and processing times. When the government reduces economic immigration targets (as in 2024–2025), Express Entry draw sizes decrease and CRS cutoffs may rise. Practitioners and candidates should monitor annual Levels Plan announcements and supplementary notices to adjust their strategies.