OTTAWA — Immigration Minister John McCallum is acknowledging the advice of a high-powered group of external advisers that recommends a dramatic increase in Canada's immigration levels to stimulate economic growth.
But McCallum suggests the recommendation — a 50 per cent increase in targets to 450,000 people a year, targeting skilled, entrepreneurial newcomers — might be too ambitious.
He says to meet the target suggested by the Advisory Council on Economic Growth would be a costly endeavour and might not find support across the country.
He says discussions are continuing and the government will announce immigration targets for 2017 next month.
The 14-member panel, chaired by Dominic Barton of the firm McKinsey and Co., is to deliver a set of recommendations to Finance Minister Bill Morneau on Thursday.
The group is trying to come up with ways for the government to boost growth beyond the forecasted two-per cent annual level.
