Population hike and citizenship - disconnected numbers

CTV.ca Immigrants boost Canada's population hike: report

Did you know that 2/3 of Canada's population growth is fueled by immigration? That's the latest news from Stats Canada. Comparatively, less than 1/3 of growth in the US is accountable to immigration.

I find it interesting that in the same year that Canada welcomed an additional 254,400 new immgrants, that only 4,635 of the 200,000+ that were welcomed into the country three years ago (the basic residency requirement to become a citizen) became citizens (see the Government of Canada's press release).

That's a 2% conversion rate of immigrants to citizens. Ever wonder why so few immigrants are becomming citizens? What is the disincentive? It seems to me that a logical goal for the government would be to convert these immigrants into citizens and taxpayers. This conversion rate is a poor reflection on the CIC's ability to fully integrate immigrants into Canada.

I realize that many new immigrants are temporary residents, but the majority are family class, permanent resident immigrants coming to make a life in this beautiful country. Why is it they are not taking the ultimate step in itegration and becoming citizens?

What do you think is going on?