The Canadian government has decided to set 3,00,000 as the permanent baseline for the number of immigrants allowed into the country as permanent residents, despite recommendations to increase the figure and offset the its ageing population demographic, The Guardian reported. The number is the same as the target set in 2016, but is relatively higher than the earlier annual target of 2,60,000 from 2011 to 2015.

Immigration minister John McCallum said the target rose to three lakh in 2016 because of the "special circumstances" of the Syrian refugee crisis, CBC News reported. He said economic immigrants, including skilled workers, entrepreneurs and caregivers, would account for the majority of the immigrants allowed. McCallum said, “I do believe it is true that more immigrants for Canada would be a good policy for demographic reasons."

The government said the number of economic immigrants will increase to 1,72,500 from 1,60,600 while the number of refugees will decrease from 55,800 to 40,000 in 2017.

The minister dismissed recommendations that Canada should increase the immigration target to 4,50,000, and said it could be considered in the future, The Guardian reported. Canada aims to boost its population of 35 million by allowing for increased immigration.