ARCHIVED – Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration, 2012 – Section 3: Federal-Provincial/Territorial Partnerships

Jurisdiction over immigration is a joint responsibility under section 95 of the Constitution Act, 1867, and effective collaboration between the Government of Canada and the provinces and territories is essential to the successful management of the immigration program. Provincial and territorial governments are primary partners of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), and the shared goal is to make immigration programs responsive to the unique economic, social and labour market needs of each province and territory. Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act, the Minister for CIC has the authority, with the approval of the Governor in Council, to sign agreements with the provinces and territories to facilitate the coordination and implementation of immigration policies and programs. 7 provides a list of the key bilateral agreements currently in force, with their signing and expiry dates.

Framework agreements with eight provinces and one territory highlight immigration as a key area for bilateral collaboration and formalize how governments work together on this issue. Agreements for a Provincial Nominee Program are also in place with 11 jurisdictions (Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories and all provinces except Quebec), either as an annex to a framework agreement or as a stand-alone agreement.

Under a Provincial Nominee Program, provinces and territories have the authority to nominate individuals as permanent residents to address specific labour market and economic development needs. Under the Canada–Quebec Accord, Quebec has full responsibility over the selection of immigrants (except Family Class and in-Canada refugee claimants), as well as the sole responsibility for delivering integration services. The federal government is responsible for establishing eligibility criteria for settlement programs in the other provinces and territories, reuniting families, determining refugee claims within Canada, defining immigration categories, setting national immigration levels, and establishing admission requirements.

Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Facts and Figures, 2011.

* Other includes post-determination refugee claimants, deferred removal orders and temporary resident permit holders.

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