"These immigration levels will help set the pace of Canada's economic and population growth while moderating its impact on critical systems such as infrastructure and housing," Miller said.
Canada's population has grown mainly through immigration, and population growth has helped fuel economic growth in recent years.
But some economists have blamed immigration for worsening the country's housing shortage, though immigrants also work in industries like construction that are facing a labor shortage.
For this reason, the Bank of Canada has said immigration has been both a driver and a brake for inflation, which stood at 3.8% in September.
More consumers mean more demand, which pushes up prices, but immigrants entering the work force also help keep down labor costs.
Persons:
Christinne, Marc Miller, Miller, Wa, Ismail Shakil, Steve Scherer, Deepa Babington
Organizations:
REUTERS, Rights TORONTO, Bank of Canada, Statistics, Institute for Canadian Citizenship, Wa Lone, Thomson
Locations:
Canada, U.S, Champlain , New York, Ottawa, Statistics Canada, Toronto