Monday, October 31, 2005  Joe Volpe, Immigration Minister of Canada, has set a goal of 255,000 immigrants in 2006 and a longer term goal of 300,000 by 2010. In 2004, there were 236,000 new immigrants and in 2005 that number is expected to increase to 245,000. The Cabinet must approve the immigration target plan. There are reportedly 700,000 applications currently in the queue and it can take up to four years for an application to be processed to its conclusion. Canada announced the new immigration plan to clear the backlog on April 18, 2005. Volpe argues that Canada needs to begin thinking of the Immigration Department as vehicle for recruiting given the country's demographics and associated labour needs. "Volpe aiming for 300,000 immigrants a year" — CBC News, October 31, 2005 "Ottawa pledges to target backlog of 700,000" — The Globe and Mail, October 31, 2005 AP. "Canada starting to accept more immigrants" — Seattle Post Intelligencer, October 31, 2005 "Volpe plans to boost annual intake of immigrants" — CTV.ca, October 31, 2005
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