Canada’s Immigration Summit 2024

What does it take to reshape a nation’s immigration system in an era of rapid growth and global competition? The 2024 Canadian Immigration Summit in Ottawa brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to tackle this question head-on. Sponsored by CBGA and hosted by The Conference Board of Canada, the event became a crucible for bold ideas and practical solutions to manage Canada’s ambitious plan to welcome 1.5 million new immigrants over the next three years.

Business Immigration in Focus

On the opening day, CBGA President Fedor Belomoev joined a panel discussion to discuss the evolving Start-Up Visa program, one of Canada’s key tools for attracting entrepreneurial talent. He provided insights into recent changes to the program, including its growing popularity and the need for improved support systems to help start-ups thrive after arriving in Canada.

“The Start-Up Visa program, despite its challenges, remains an invaluable tool for bringing global talent to Canada,” Belomoev noted during the panel. “However, without a clear, consistent set of guidelines for how this program is implemented, we risk turning the Start-Up Visa program into a bureaucratic maze that discourages the very entrepreneurs we are trying to attract.”

Belomoev highlighted the challenges applicants face, such as navigating regulatory complexities, and shared his predictions for how the program will continue to evolve to meet the needs of both entrepreneurs and Canada’s economy.

Policy Ambitions and Practical Realities

The summit’s second day featured a keynote address by Marc Miller, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, who outlined the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan. This roadmap aims to balance ambitious immigration targets with practical solutions to address integration challenges.

The keynote set the tone for discussions about the need for a balanced approach to immigration. While the country’s labor market depends on newcomers to fill gaps in key sectors, issues such as housing shortages and access to healthcare remain pressing concerns. Miller’s remarks underscored the importance of aligning immigration policy with practical solutions that meet the needs of both newcomers and the communities they join.

Collaboration as a Driving Force

Collaboration emerged as a central theme throughout the summit. Policymakers, employers, and non-profits emphasized the importance of working together to achieve Canada’s immigration goals.

Employers stressed the alignment of immigration strategies with labor market needs, particularly in high-demand sectors. Non-profits highlighted their critical role in delivering settlement services, language training, and other resources to help newcomers integrate successfully

Programs like the Start-Up Visa were spotlighted as successful examples of targeted initiatives. However, participants underscored the need for these programs to be part of a broader strategy, including investments in infrastructure and community support, to ensure their long-term success.

Charting the Path Forward

As the summit concluded, it was clear that Canada’s immigration strategy is at a pivotal moment. The event underscored both the opportunities and challenges of welcoming 1.5 million newcomers over the next three years.

For CBGA, the summit reinforced its commitment to fostering innovation and supporting programs like the Start-Up Visa, which drive Canada’s economic growth. Fedor Belomoev’s participation in the business immigration panel reflected the organization’s role in shaping Canada’s future immigration policies.

With clear priorities and collaboration among stakeholders, Canada is well-positioned to meet its immigration goals. The 2024 Canadian Immigration Summit provided a roadmap for success — through innovation, partnership, and a shared vision of a stronger, more inclusive nation.