A growing number of Indians are coming to Canada as immigrants, visitors and students. In 2009, India was the top source country of immigration to Canada. More than 32,000 permanent resident visas were issued to Indian nationals, an increase of 13% from the year before, and 53% more than the three-year average from 1997 to 1999. Canada is currently home to over 1 million Canadians who can trace their ancestry to India.

On June 20, 2008 Canada celebrated the World Refugee Day by joining many countries around the world in honouring the strength and courage of refugees everywhere. With this year's theme of "Protecting Refugees: Rebuilding Lives in Safety and Dignity," the day was an occasion to celebrate the remarkable determination of refugees who have lived in hardship and who now have a chance to rebuild their lives in security.