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Immigrant and Refugee Integration

The Canadian Way

Concepts and Context

San Jose, Costa Rica

June 23, 2005

Citizenship and Citizenship and Immigration CanadaImmigration Canada

Citoyenneté et Citoyenneté et Immigration CanadaImmigration Canada

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OVERVIEW

Katharine Cornfield

Director, Integration Promotion

Integration Branch, CIC

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MANAGED MIGRATION TO CANADA

Government establishes annual plan for immigration and reports to Parliament

Goal is to select and admit approximately 225,000 permanent residents each year

Balance of economic immigrants, family members and refugees is intended to facilitate successful integration

Canada also admits thousands of temporary residents each year

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TYPES OF MIGRATION

•Temporary Residents•Students•Temporary Workers

•Permanent Residents •Economic•Non-Economic (Family Class)

•Refugees•Resettled•Asylum

•Without Status

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THE IMMIGRATION ACT

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act affirms fundamental principles of non-discrimination and universality

The Act articulates three basic goals for selecting immigrants for permanent residence based on our economic, social, and humanitarian values

The Act also defines visitor status for students and temporary workers.

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IMMIGRATION AND THE CONSTITUTION

Constitutionally, immigration is a shared jurisdictional responsibility:

• federal government responsible for entry, asylum, processing and removal activities• some provincial involvement in immigrant and overseas refugee selection and in settlement and integration services

Constitutionally, health, education and social services are provincial responsibilities with federal transfer payments.

Permanent residents, including refugees, have full access to social services, health services and education.

Federal government provides some specialized services to permanent residents and refugees.

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A SNAPSHOT OF DIVERSITY IN CANADA

40 years ago, the top 10 immigrant source countries were European

In 2003, the top five source countries for immigrants were Asian

The characteristics of Canada’s population are changing

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CLUSTERED IN THREE CITIES

Canada’s immigrant and refugee population largely urban:

73% of the immigrants settle in - Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal

Resettled refugees also destined to medium-sized and large communities

Key tool to social cohesion – effective immigrant integration

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SOCIAL COHESION - THE CANADIAN CONTEXT

Canada’s history is built upon three key elements of diversity

Census 2001 – 5.4 million individuals born outside of the country – 18% of our population

Four million individuals identified as visible minorities– 13% of our total population of 29.6 million

Diversity presents the country with opportunities

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CANADA’S SHARED CITIZENSHIP MODEL

Canadians have developed a unique model of “shared citizenship”

Key success factors: shared core values, shared rights and responsibilities

Common goal of building an inclusive society

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ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES

Multiculturalism fosters cultural participation, active citizenship and participation in Canada’s civic life, and strengthens connections among Canadians

In 10 years – 100% of our net labour force growth will come from immigrants

In 20 years – 100% of our net population growth will come from immigration

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CANADA’S LEGAL FRAMEWORK

Canada’s comprehensive legal framework provides essential constructs to support social cohesion:

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms supported by:

the Canadian Bill of Rights (1960) the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (1962/2002) the Official Languages Act (1969/85) the Canadian Human Rights Act (1977/85) the Citizenship Act (1985) the Employment Equity Act (1986/95) the Multiculturalism Act (1988)

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PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS OF MIGRATION

Public support is essential to sustain Canada’s immigration and integration programs.

Canada measures public attitudes at regular intervals through opinion polling and research.

To maintain public support, Canada actively promotes basic understanding of the economic and social benefits of immigration, supports successful integration of newcomers and combats racism and discrimination through public education and outreach.

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CANADA’S INTEGRATION MODEL

Katharine Cornfield,

Director, Integration Promotion

Integration Branch, CIC

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WHAT IS INTEGRATION?

The Federal Immigrant Integration Strategy (1992) defines integration as:

The ability to contribute, free of barriers, to every dimension of Canadian life – economic, social, cultural and political.

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (2002) states as an objective:

3. (1) e to promote the successful integration of permanent residents into Canada, while recognizing that integration involves mutual obligations for new immigrants and Canadian society

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INTEGRATION: THE CANADIAN MODEL

Facilitate newcomers to settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society

Two-way process –requires active participation of both newcomers and society

Ultimate objective- acquisition of citizenship

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POLICY UNDERPINNINGS

2-way process – rights and responsibilities

Acknowledgment of shared values

Language proficiency

Financial self-sufficiency

Socio-economic participation

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PARTNERSHIP

WHO NEEDS TO BE INVOLVED

FEDERAL GOV'T

PROVINCIAL GOV'TS

MUNICIPAL GOV'TSVOLUNTARY

SECTOR

PRIVATE SPONSORSHIPCOMMUNITY

THE REFUGEE

BUSINESSCOMMUNITY

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CANADIAN INTEGRATION MODEL

1- Canadian Orientation AbroadServices Abroad

3- SettlementResettlement Assistance Program (RAP)Private SponsorshipImmigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program (ISAP), including ELTLanguage Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)Host ProgramPartnerships with other government departments, other governments, international/national and local organizations

4- CitizenshipCitizenship PreparationGrant of Canadian CitizenshipFull Participation in Canadian Society

Integration Programs Partnership DeliveryCommunity Capacity Building

2- Reception in Canada “Welcome to Canada” at Ports of EntryRefugee Reception at Ports of Entry

Services In Canada

A

B

C

Citizenship Services

DIs a Canadian citizen under theprovisions of the Citizenship Actand, as such, is entitled to all the rights and privileges and is subjectto all the duties and responsibilitiesof a Canadian citizen

est citoyen canadien aux termesde la Loi sur la citoyenneté et, à cetitre, jouit de tous les droits etprivilèges et est assujetti(e) à tousles devoirs et responsabilités d'uncitoyen canadien.

MINISTER - MINISTRE

John Doe

Certificateof

Canadian Citizenship

Certificat de

Citoyenneté Canadienne