National Immigration Centre
Building the future of Canada’s immigration system
Canada’s future prosperity depends on immigration. Optimizing the systems that help to attract, select, and settle immigrants will maximize the benefits of immigration for both newcomers and Canadians. The National Immigration Centre was established to enhance Canada’s immigration system through independent, impartial, evidence-based research.
Funded By
Why Become a Funder?
Create more impact through a collective research initiative.
Funding members help shape the future of Canada by supporting independent, evidence-based research on Canadian immigration delivered to decision-makers in government, business, and civil society. Pooling dollars from multiple funders helps your investment go further, enabling Conference Board researchers and economists to create more robust and impactful research.
Our Objectives
Conduct research and analysis to enhance the design of Canada’s immigration and settlement system.
Drive impact by sharing research insights with key immigration system stakeholders.
Convene members to discuss immigration challenges, opportunities, and leading practices.
Raise awareness of how immigration policies affect the success of newcomers and Canadians.
Recent Releases and Events
From Student to Immigrant?
Immigration October 20, 2022
Between 2010 and 2019, 1,124,630 international students were granted a first study permit for six months or longer to study at a post-secondary institution in Canada. Unless otherwise specified, findings in this data briefing refer to the cohort of international students who were issued a study permit between 2010 and 2019. Subsequent permits include permits obtained before December 2020.
Data briefing • 11-min read
The “Canadian Experience” Disconnect
Immigration October 4, 2022
Canada has increasingly relied on international students and temporary foreign workers as future permanent residents over the last decade. The pandemic has further reinforced this trend. More immigrants with pre-admission work or study experience in Canada were admitted during the pandemic than in the preceding five years.
Impact paper • 31-min read
Making Rural Immigration Work: Settlement Services in Small and Rural Communities
Immigration March 31, 2022
In Canada, immigrants disproportionately settle in urban areas. The three largest cities—Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver—are home to 35 per cent of Canada’s population but receive more than half of all arriving immigrants. Although settlement services improve retention of immigrant residents, many small and rural communities lack local settlement services. Canada needs a strategy to establish and fund settlement services in small and rural communities.
Impact paper • 46-min read
Join Us
Make Canada’s future bright by enabling evidence-based immigration research.