The Canadian Government says it targets accepting 1.2 million immigrants from 2021 to 2023 even with interference generated by the global pandemic.

Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said what he called an "ambitious" three-year immigration plan today that set targets for bringing skilled workers, family members and refugees into Canada.

Canada is planning to bring 401,000 new permanent residents in 2021, 411,000 in 2022 and 421,000 in 2023.

“The key to both short-term economic recovery and long-term prosperity is immigration,” Mendicino said, according to AFP.

“As with every other aspect of our lives, the pandemic has affected migration to Canada,” the minister commented.

Last year's plan promised to bring in more than one million immigrants over a three-year period, but the COVID-19 crisis and the resulting travel restrictions have slowed down the process.

At a news conference in Ottawa today, Mendicino said immigrants drive the population and economic growth that pays for vital programs such as health care.

"Put simply, we need more workers, and immigration is the way to get there," he said.