Canada-Ontario-Toronto Memorandum of Understanding on Immigration

Electronic Version
Original signed May 3, 2018

Canada-Ontario-Toronto

Memorandum of Understanding on Immigration (“MOU”)

BETWEEN

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF CANADA 
as represented by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (“Canada”)

AND

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF ONTARIO 
as represented by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (“Ontario”)

AND

CITY OF TORONTO (“Toronto”)

each referred to individually as the “Participant” and collectively as “Participants”

1.0 Preamble

• 1.1 WHEREAS the Participants recognize that the extent to which immigrants succeed in Toronto is directly linked to the successful implementation of Canada’s immigration policies and programs, the successful implementation of settlement and integration programs in Ontario, and the successful delivery of municipal services in Toronto;
• 1.2 AND WHEREAS the Participants enter into this MOU to fulfil a commitment outlined in the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement, 2017 (the Agreement) Annex D, Section 5.2.3, which indicates that:

  “The Participants agree to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Toronto within nine months of the signing of this Agreement that will provide a framework for the three governments to discuss information sharing, and matters related to immigration and settlement.”

• 1.3 AND WHEREAS the Participants agree that Toronto plays an important role in attracting and retaining newcomers, in supporting the successful settlement and integration of immigrants and in ensuring the community is welcoming and inclusive;
• 1.4 AND WHEREAS the Participants agree that newcomers in Toronto should have access to appropriate programs and services that they need to facilitate their participation in the social, economic, cultural and civic life of Canada;
• 1.5 AND WHEREAS Toronto will contribute its experience, expertise and capacity for community infrastructure and service delivery methods, and its frontline assessment and experience with the newcomer settlement process, these contributions being intended to enhance existing federal and provincial policies and programs;

THEREFORE, the Participants agree to the following:

2.0 Purpose

• 2.1 The purpose of this MOU is to establish mechanisms and create opportunities to further strengthen the partnership between Canada, Ontario and Toronto by:
  • 2.1.1 identifying and discussing issues related to immigration policy, programs, activities and projects;
  • 2.1.2 sharing knowledge and best practices among the Participants with respect to settlement and integration to support program planning and policy development;
  • 2.1.3 assisting the Participants in meeting their respective immigration and settlement objectives, such as French-Speaking immigration;
  • 2.1.4 identifying opportunities for joint engagement with employers to discuss the labour market integration of immigrants; and
  • 2.1.5 working together to create opportunities to improve outcomes for immigrants.
• 2.2 This MOU recognizes current jurisdictional responsibilities of the Participants and is not a funding agreement.

3.0 Guiding Principles

• 3.1 The Participants agree that decisions and actions related to work under this MOU will be guided by the following principles:
  • 3.1.1 Collaboration: The Participants commit to working across and within governments in order to build effective partnerships and achieve better results.
  • 3.1.2 Cooperation: The Participants will look for opportunities to bring together their resources and expertise to better meet the needs of immigrants, while respecting each other’s mandates and decision-making processes.
  • 3.1.3 Transparency: The Participants will strive for open and transparent communications and decision-making processes.
  • 3.1.4 Coordination: The Participants will work together to share information with each other, where possible and appropriate, to support effective coordination of services, including responses to unforeseen events, in line with contingency planning. Any exchange of data will be in accordance with the laws of Canada including the Privacy Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. P-21, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O., 1990, c. F.31, and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.56.

4.0 Primary Areas of Interest

• 4.1 The Participants shall identify immigration and settlement issues for discussion, collaboration and action through the MOU Steering Committee (see section 5: Governance).
• 4.2 The Participants may identify areas for specific action that will result in the development of a work plan and strategies, as appropriate.
• 4.3 The Participants agree to collaborate to support positive outcomes for newcomers in areas of mutual interest within the scope of the respective responsibilities of the Participants. The Participants recognize that:
  • 4.3.1 Access to employment that utilizes the credentials, education and skills of newcomers is essential to their successful settlement and integration. The Participants agree to pursue opportunities to address barriers to labour market integration to assist with the economic and social integration of newcomers in Toronto.
  • 4.3.2 Settlement is a continuum and participants will work together to facilitate access to program information and services. The Participants will discuss access to services, including settlement and other supports, such as housing, education and health.
  • 4.3.3 Citizenship and civic engagement are fundamental to democracy and should be considered in immigrant settlement and integration strategies.
• 4.4 The Participants will explore all opportunities to share relevant evidence such as research findings, performance measurement information, and data, in support of the priority areas of collaboration.
• 4.5 Other areas of interest may be discussed as agreed by the Participants.

5.0 Governance

• 5.1 To ensure that the Participants are able to achieve the desired outcomes of this MOU a MOU Steering Committee will be created to ensure collaboration and operationalization of the MOU.
• 5.2 The Steering Committee will be comprised of the Director General, International and Intergovernmental Relations, Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; the Director, Strategic Policy, Research and Analytics, Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, and the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, City of Toronto, and other individuals as appropriate.
• 5.3 The MOU Steering Committee will meet in-person at least once annually and hold teleconferences quarterly.
• 5.4 The Steering Committee will oversee the implementation of this MOU through the development of a terms of reference, annual work plans, and activities based on identified priorities that may be undertaken by the Participants.
• 5.5 The Signatories will meet annually to receive a progress report on the implementation of the MOU.
• 5.6 Working groups may be created by the MOU Steering Committee as appropriate to work on issues of common interest. Under the overall direction of the MOU Steering Committee, working groups may be responsible for research, information sharing, or collaborating on policy and program directions.

6.0 Duration and Renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding

• 6.1 This MOU will be effective on the date it is signed by the last of its Signatories and will expire five (5) years after this date.
• 6.2 This MOU may be amended and extended from time to time with the written consent of all Participants.

7.0 Termination

• 7.1 The MOU may be terminated by any Participant upon 90 days prior written notice being given to the Signatories.

Signatures

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

_____________________
Paul MacKinnon
Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic and Program Policy
Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
_____________________
Date

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO

_____________________
Cindy Lam
Assistant Deputy Minister, Citizenship and Immigration Division
Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
_____________________
Date
FOR THE CITY OF TORONTO

_____________________
Elaine Baxter-Trahair
A/Deputy City Manager, Cluster A
Citizen Centred Services
City of Toronto
_____________________
Date