Details on transfer payment programs

Actual spending of $5 million or more

Canada-Quebec Accord Grant/Subvention versée en vertu de l’Accord Canada-Québec

General information

Name of transfer payment program:

Canada-Quebec Accord Grant/Subvention versée en vertu de l’Accord Canada-Québec: Voted

Start date:

Financial compensation to the province (in the form of a grant) is based on the Canada‑Québec Accord relating to Immigration and Temporary Admission of Aliens, which came into force on April 1, 1991.

End date:

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment:

Grant

Type of appropriation:

The program is appropriated annually through Government of Canada Estimates.

Fiscal year for terms and conditions:

Ongoing

Link to departmental result:

Permanent residents are welcomed and benefit from settlement supports

Link to Department’s program inventory:

Settlement

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

Under the Canada-Quebec Accord, signed in 1991, Canada has devolved settlement and integration responsibility to Quebec, and provides Quebec with an annual grant that notionally covers settlement and integration services to permanent residents in the province.

The objectives of the Accord are the preservation of Quebec’s demographic importance within Canada; and the integration of immigrants into that province in a manner that respects the distinct identity of Quebec.

Under the Accord, Canada is responsible for defining overall immigration objectives, national immigration levels and admissibility, selecting applicants in the family sponsorship class and protected person class, determining refugee status in Canada, and granting citizenship. The Accord provides Quebec with exclusive responsibility for selecting economic immigrants destined to the province (with admissibility decision resting with Canada) and for resettled refugees destined to the province (amongst individuals identified as refugees from abroad by Canada), as well as the settlement and integration of all permanent residents. This program uses transfer payment funding from the grant for the Canada-Quebec Accord on Immigration.

In accordance with section 26 and Annex B of the Canada-Quebec Accord, Canada is required to provide compensation to Quebec for these services, where it is established that:

• the reception and integration services (referred to in sections 24 and 25 of the Accord) offered by Quebec correspond, when considered in their entirety, to those offered by Canada in the rest of the country; and
• those services are offered without discrimination to any permanent resident in the province, whether or not that permanent resident has been selected by Quebec.

Results Achieved:

The Government of Quebec is responsible for developing and publishing its own immigration legislation and policies. It reports to the provincial National Assembly on its own expected results related to immigration.

While Quebec has jurisdiction over reception and integration of immigrants destined to the province, the Accord specifies that the services covered by the grant must correspond to services offered by Canada in the rest of the country. To that end, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Quebec’s Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) Joint Committee (Comité mixte) has the mandate to “study, at least once a year, reception and integration services provided by Canada and Quebec” (Annex A, sections 3(g) and 23(b)) and to ensure that comparable services continue to be offered to newcomers across the country. The comparative study is currently conducted biennially, as per the Joint Committee’s decision in 2017, which the committee upheld in 2023.

Since 2014, the IRCC-MIFI Joint Committee has tabled seven comparative studies that show reception and integration services for newcomers to be generally comparable in both jurisdictions, therefore meeting the requirements of the Accord.

The last comparative study covering the 2022–23 reporting period was approved at the IRCC-MIFI Joint Committee meeting in December 2023. The study demonstrated that post-pandemic, during this reporting period, both orders of government resumed in-person service delivery and focused on continuing to adapt digital innovation and to align programming with changing immigration realities. The study continued to use the methodology developed jointly with Quebec in 2020–21, including indicators of comparison to better understand the comparability of services in both jurisdictions, which will continue to be used as a baseline for future comparisons. The next biennial study covering the 2024–25 reporting period is expected to be tabled at the Joint Committee in Fall 2025.

Findings of audits completed in 2023–24:

No audits were completed during the reporting year, and no audits are currently planned or underway.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24:

The next evaluation of the Grant to Quebec is tentatively scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025–26.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24:

As required by the Canada-Quebec Accord, IRCC and MIFI (formerly Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion) meet on an annual basis, through the IRCC-MIFI Joint Committee (or Comité mixte), to coordinate the implementation of Canada’s and Quebec’s policies related to the immigration and integration objectives outlined in the Accord. The most recent Joint Committee took place in Ottawa in December 2023. The next Joint Committee is anticipated in Montreal in the fall of 2024.

While the meeting labelled “Comité mixte” meets the formal requirement of the Accord, IRCC and MIFI hold biweekly Intergovernmental ADM meetings where compensation matters are often on the agenda; and meet regularly at the ADM level on Asylum Sector, Service Delivery and Economic, Family and Social Immigration matters.

As required by the Canada-Quebec Accord, IRCC and MIFI also meet regularly, through the Implementation Committee (Comité d’application), to coordinate the implementation of the Accord and develop the necessary terms and conditions of operation. In 2023 IRCC and MIFI agreed to meet approximately every two months. The Comité d’application met in April and again in June 2024.

Under the IRCC-MIFI Joint Committee, co-chaired by Assistant Deputy Ministers of IRCC and Quebec’s MIFI, bilateral engagement continues to ensure that reception and integration services offered by Canada and Quebec are comparable. The Assistant Deputy Ministers approve the scope, key areas of examination and schedule for the comparison, and they delegate the development of the comparison to the director-level joint working group. In 2021, IRCC and MIFI jointly established a working group of experts from both jurisdictions to develop a new methodology and a set of indicators for the 2020–21 comparative study of settlement and integration services. The methodology and indicators continued to be used to develop the 2022–23 comparative study, which was approved by the Joint Committee in December 2023.

Financial information (dollars)

Explanation of variances
Actual spending is higher than planned due to adjustment in the final payment. The final payment is based on a formula in the Canada-Quebec Accord on Immigration.

Interim Housing Assistance Program

General information

Name of transfer payment program:

Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP)

Start date:

March 21, 2019

End date:

March 31, 2024

Type of transfer payment:

Grants

Type of appropriation:

The program is appropriated annually through Government of Canada Estimates.

Fiscal year for terms and conditions:

2020–21

Link to departmental result:

Potential permanent residents are selected for immigration to Canada.

Link to Department’s program inventory:

Asylum

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

Since 2017, Canada has experienced an increase in asylum claims, both at ports of entry and by irregular migrants intercepted crossing the border at locations that were not designated land ports of entry. Provinces have called for support in managing the downstream impact of asylum flows, including interim housing pressures. The Government of Canada committed to provide funding to help alleviate the pressures provinces are facing in providing services to asylum claimants.

IHAP’s main purpose is to provide financial support to provinces and, if necessary to municipal governments should a cost-sharing agreement not be reached with provinces, to address extraordinary interim housing pressures resulting from increased volumes of asylum claimants entering Canada.

The program enables provinces and municipal governments to continue delivering effective interim housing solutions for asylum claimants, strengthen their interim housing capacities, and limit the need for the federal government to directly provide interim housing services.

IHAP also contributes to the Department’s Results Framework through the Core Responsibility of Immigrant and Refugee Selection and Integration. More specifically, IHAP relates to Result 3: potential permanent residents are selected for immigration to Canada.

Results Achieved:

IHAP has enabled provinces and municipalities to continue to provide interim housing to increasing numbers of asylum claimants, while also providing services to other vulnerable populations. Following the lifting of pandemic border response measures in November 2021, Canada experienced historic and unprecedented volumes through 2022–23 and 2023–24. From April 2023 to the end of March 2024, about 160,000 asylum claims were received, representing a 50% increase from the previous year’s total of 106,657. Most claimants continued to arrive in Quebec and Ontario. These volumes placed additional pressures on the shelter systems and related support services of provincial and municipal partners. In 2023–24, IRCC provided a total of $259.9 million through sixteen grants to assist thirteen jurisdictions (see below) with costs incurred in providing interim housing to asylum claimants.

Findings of audits completed in 2023–24:

No audits were completed during the reporting year, and no audits are currently planned or underway.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24:

An evaluation of IHAP is currently scheduled to begin in 2025–26.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24:

Following written requests by provinces and municipalities demonstrating that they incurred eligible costs in providing interim housing for asylum claimants, departmental officials engaged jurisdictions to assess the claims and support discussions on the final amounts of the funding relief. IRCC also continues to engage provinces through various fora to better understand and help alleviate the pressures they are facing with respect to providing temporary housing to asylum claimants.

Financial information (dollars)

Explanation of variances
At the time the 2023–24 Departmental Plan was tabled, no funding decisions had been approved. Announcements of funding to support the Program were made later in the fiscal year which is why actual spending is higher than planned.

Of the authorities allocated, a portion was not spent given the ongoing discussions with provinces and municipalities on eligible expenses. A funding re-profile request has been approved to move funds from 2023–24 to 2024–25 to continue to support interim housing for asylum claimants.

Settlement Program

General information

Name of transfer payment program:

Settlement Program

Start date:

May 15, 2008

End date:

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment:

Grants and Contributions

Type of appropriation:

The program is appropriated annually through Government of Canada Estimates.

Fiscal year for terms and conditions:

2023–24

Link to departmental result:

Permanent residents are welcomed and benefit from settlement supports

Link to Department’s program inventory:

Settlement

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

For Canada to realize the economic, social and cultural benefits of immigration, newcomers must integrate successfully into Canadian society. The IRCC Settlement Program plays a major role by assisting immigrants and refugees to overcome barriers specific to the newcomer experience so that they can undertake their longer-term integration on a similar footing to other Canadians.

The Settlement Program and related services aim to provide newcomers with the information required to make informed decisions, language skills adequate to their settlement and integration goals, and the support they need to build networks within their new communities. IRCC funds the delivery of settlement programming across the country and outside Canada, and provides support for initiatives that contribute to the capacity enhancement of recipient organizations.

Result Achieved:

In 2023–24, IRCC invested approximately $1.1 billion to support the settlement needs of newcomers (outside of Quebec) through the Settlement Program. IRCC administers the Settlement Program to help newcomers settle and adapt to life in Canada, setting them on a path to integration and full citizenship. This is accomplished through a National Call for Proposals (CFP) process, wherein successful applications are recommended for funding through Funding Agreements to support program delivery. This process assists IRCC in supporting organizations across Canada (outside of Quebec) to deliver settlement and resettlement supports and services to newcomers.

IRCC launched a National CFP 2024 in November 2023 to solicit proposals for funding agreements of up to five years with settlement service organizations across Canada (outside of Quebec). Agreements are expected to be in place by April 1, 2025. The National CFP 2024 features two new distinct funding streams: a new Equity funding stream to provide targeted support to organizations representative of equity deserving populations to increase their participation in the settlement sector; and a Service Delivery Improvement (SDI) funding stream for larger-scale pilot projects that will further test promising practices or concepts identified through previous SDI Expression of Interest processes. Changes proposed through CFP 2024 aim to improve service delivery and were based on research findings, the collection of client data, and feedback received from the settlement sector. For example, enhancements include full remote delivery of pre-arrival services, provision of digital supports and a national standardized needs assessment.

In line with IRCC’s commitments to Anti-Racism, Gender-based Analysis Plus, and Gender Equality, the Department is advancing equity priorities within the National CFP 2024 to ensure that diverse populations can benefit from inclusive Settlement and Resettlement Assistance programming. This includes the integration of Gender-based Analysis Plus throughout the CFP process and expanding targeted programming to meet the needs of specific client populations facing distinct barriers to settlement and integration, such as racialized communities, newcomer women, and LGBTQI+ populations. This approach also includes incorporating Truth and Reconciliation through programming that increases awareness of Indigenous-related topics among newcomers as well as facilitates meaningful connections and social cohesion between Indigenous Peoples, newcomers and Canadians.

Under the 2022–23 Equity Request for Quotations, IRCC is supporting 17 projects in the area of anti-racism, mainstreaming gender equality, and GBA Plus. Projects funded under the research and capacity building streams will identify gaps and barriers to newcomer integration and fund initiatives to build the capacity of small, racialized organizations. Others funded under the service delivery stream will increase the ability of service provider organizations to address racism in newcomer service delivery. Funded projects will conclude at various points throughout 2024.

In August 2021, IRCC announced an investment of $100 million over three years (2021–24) for Service Delivery Improvement (SDI) initiatives to improve the way newcomers access settlement services and support them and the broader settlement sector in recovering from impacts of the pandemic. Following an Expression of Interest (EOI) process, 78 successful projects were approved for funding. All funded projects concluded on March 31, 2024.

In 2023–24, the Settlement Program was able to deliver settlement services including service delivery improvement and resettlement assistance program to nearly 700,000 newcomers to Canada through direct services provided by over 550 service provider organizations (SPOs) to help newcomers prepare for life in Canada and successfully integrate. This included close to 80 francophone service providers, which support the integration of French-speaking newcomers into francophone-minority communities. Tailored supports were also available to newcomer populations that face additional barriers to services and who are at increased risk of marginalization, including racialized newcomers, females, youth, seniors, people living with a disability, and LGBTQI+ individuals.

To understand and address the needs of newcomers, 329,996 newcomers received comprehensive needs and assets assessments to guide their settlement journeys. Most Settlement Program clients received referrals to various IRCC-funded services and other community services, including mental health and legal services. Information and orientation services to increase knowledge of life in Canada on topics such as community resources, finding a place to live, building your community, education opportunities, and finding employment were provided to 568,882 newcomers.

Furthermore, 120,706 newcomers participated in IRCC-funded language training to improve their knowledge and use of Canada’s official languages. Language training services were provided in person, online, and through a combination of these two approaches.

In addition, 83,436 newcomers accessed employment services to support them in acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the Canadian labour market and connect with employers. Through Community Connection activities, 121,488 clients received services to network with Canadian peers, learned to access services in the community, and created linkages with local organizations. IRCC launched the Racialized Newcomer Women Pilot in 2018 to support targeted employment services for racialized newcomer females through the Settlement Program. While the Pilot officially ended in March 2023, funding for some projects is being extended until March 31, 2025 to address ongoing need.

The Settlement Program provides funding to Local Immigration Partnerships (LIPs) and Zonal Immigration Partnerships (ZIPs) to foster welcoming and inclusive communities. In 2023–24, the network of communities grew to more than 88 LIPs/ZIPs across Canada (excluding Quebec). LIPs actively support local engagement and cross-sector collaboration to coordinate services at the community level. Activities include partnering with local stakeholders and equity groups to advance anti-racism initiatives and Truth and Reconciliation, promoting newcomer attraction and retention in small and rural communities, and working with local municipalities and associations to address housing accessibility issues.

The National LIPs Secretariat plays a critical role as the voice of LIPs regionally and nationally, and continues to facilitate partnership building to enhance collaboration and information sharing among LIPs across Canada. In addition, the Secretariat leads anti-racism and anti-oppression initiatives, while enhancing coordination among LIPs to support the resettlement of Afghan and Ukrainian individuals. The National LIP Secretariat also collaborates closely with the Department to inform the national perspective on community-based partnerships.

IRCC also supported 13 Réseaux en immigration francophones (RIFs) to help Francophone and Acadian communities better attract, welcome and integrate French-speaking newcomers. In 2023–24, the RIF and Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne have helped to raise the awareness of the Francophone integration pathway in the sector through various events and Forums such as the annual Semaine nationale de l’immigration francophone (SNIF) funded by IRCC. Following the success of the Welcoming Francophone Community Initiative’s pilot which ended in March 2024, IRCC has renewed the initiative for up to four more years and is expanding it to add up to ten additional communities. Overall, IRCC received very positive feedback from most regions when Francophone stakeholders were consulted in 2023 on the Initiative’s successes and challenges. A preliminary report by the Prairies Research Association, Inc. (PRA) documenting best practices was also delivered in December 2023. The process is currently underway to select the new communities for this Initiative across Canada. The development of this Initiative has been possible due to funding from the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028.

Efforts have been made to improve and strengthen the Francophone Integration Pathway (FIP), a suite of settlement services in French and offered by Francophone organizations, to facilitate lasting ties between newcomers and Francophone communities outside of Quebec. In 2023–24, 64% of French-speaking newcomer clients have accessed at least one service provided by an IRCC-funded francophone service provider organization, compared to 61% in the previous fiscal year.

Findings of audits completed in 2023–24:

A review of the Settlement Network’s Management of the Administrative Flat Rate and the review of Settlement Network’s Management of Contribution Programs were completed. The reports may be provided upon request.

Review of the Settlement Network’s Management of the Administrative Flat Rate

The advisory engagement concluded that IRCC’s process for determining the Administrative Flat Rate (AFR) as part of the Settlement and Resettlement Assistance Programs is aligned with best practices. The process facilitates AFR determinations that are reasonable and fair to stakeholders.

Opportunities for improvement were identified which could support further refinement and ensure that the process continues to result in reasonable and fair AFR determinations.

Review of Settlement Network’s Management of Contribution Programs

This advisory engagement concluded that Settlement Network has taken considerable steps to decrease the administrative burden imposed by its contribution programs and is functioning as designed and accurately reflects the Department’s current risk appetite.

Settlement Network made progress in reducing barriers to access funding for smaller service organizations. However, these organizations continue to be subjected to administrative burdens that may be beyond their capacity to manage.

Settlement Network has the policy, training, and systems in place to support the management of its contribution programs. Due to the ongoing changes to policy and guidance, as well as the variety of users relying on data available, it is important that Settlement Network continues to proactively manage these areas.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24:

The next evaluation of the Settlement Program is tentatively scheduled for completion in 2026–27. However, components of Settlement programming are also scheduled for distinct evaluations, such Local Immigration Partnerships (to be completed in 2025–26).

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24:

In 2023–24, IRCC actively engaged with settlement sector actors to inform key priority areas to address different elements of the Settlement Program National Call for Proposals 2024. This included presentations and discussions at the national and regional levels. These interactions informed IRCC’s approach to program changes and provided stakeholders with the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback, given the key role that they play in newcomers’ settlement and integration experience.

IRCC also maintained ongoing communication with Service Provider Organizations (SPOs) to support funding agreement management and to ensure high quality settlement services are delivered to newcomers. This included in-person and virtual activity and financial monitors, and the review of qualitative and quantitative reports submitted by SPOs. Engagement with SPOs extended to community meetings organized by umbrella organizations, Local Immigration Partnerships (LIPs), Réseaux en immigration francophone (RIFs), and other relevant stakeholders.

In 2023–24, IRCC also finalized the review of results from the fifth annual Newcomer Outcomes Survey, which included questions on race. As a key source through which the Department collects data on all newcomers, the survey is a vital tool for understanding the overall integration outcomes of newcomers to Canada. It also provides insights into trends and barriers to inform Settlement Program policy and decision-making.

Ongoing engagement with service delivery partners and stakeholders supports IRCC’s program policy and operational goals of developing and delivering programming that is responsive to the needs of clients and communities. The National Settlement and Integration Council (NSIC) has been IRCC’s main mechanism for information exchange and the sharing of innovative and promising practices among the settlement sector, institutions and other partners, key settlement, resettlement and integration stakeholders, provincial/territorial governments, and other federal government departments.

Francophone Focus

In 2023–24, the Comité consultatif national en établissement francophone (National Francophone Settlement Advisory Committee, or CCNEF), co-led by IRCC, delivered a Final Report containing its recommendations regarding the francophone settlement sector, in June of 2023. This Final Report was the fruit of over three years of CCNEF’s discussions with stakeholders and its analysis of key findings related to Francophone settlement programming. IRCC welcomed this report and given the timing with the Department’s preparation for the National Call for proposals 2024 (CFP), the Department was able to integrate many of the report’s recommendations into its guidelines for the launch of CFP in November 2023. IRCC has met with the CCNEF to discuss its Final Report and formally responded to the Final Report in March 2024, to highlight its implementation of the recommendations.

IRCC dedicated a stream to the Francophone Integration Pathway for the first time in CFP 2024. Beginning in Fall 2023 the Department held a series of four webinars to support Francophone organizations identify funding opportunities through CFP 2024, and to answer their questions to guide them in preparing their submissions.

Financial information (dollars)

Explanation of variances
Actual spending is lower than planned as a result of late in the year lapse related to the nature of the activities performed; mainly due to recipient organisations experiencing delays in recruiting staff due to labour shortages as well as delays in execution of planned activities.

Resettlement Assistance Program

General information

Name of transfer payment program:

Resettlement Assistance Program: Voted

Start date:

1951 as the Adjustment Assistance Program; Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) in its current form was implemented in 1998

End date:

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment:

Grants and Contributions

Type of appropriation:

The program is appropriated annually through Government of Canada Estimates.

Fiscal year for terms and conditions:

2018–19, updated in 2023

Link to departmental result:

Permanent residents are welcomed and benefit from settlement supports

Link to Department’s program inventory:

Refugee Resettlement Program

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

The Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) provides direct financial support and funds the provision of immediate and essential services to government assisted refugees and other eligible recipients. RAP funds refugee resettlement activities and services for clients identified in Section 4B of these terms and conditions and provides transitional financial assistance to a class of recipients who are temporary residents.

RAP contributes to the objectives of Sections 3(2) (b) , 3(1) (a) and 3(1) (e) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), to respectively: “Fulfill Canada’s international legal obligations with respect to refugees and affirm Canada’s commitment to international efforts to provide assistance to those in need of resettlement;” “Permit Canada to pursue the maximum social, cultural and economic benefits of immigration” and “Promote the successful integration of permanent residents into Canada while recognizing that integration involves mutual obligations for new immigrants and Canadian society”.

Results Achieved:

In 2023–24, IRCC continued to meet the immediate and essential needs of government-assisted refugees (GARs) and certain other eligible clients through the RAP. Pre-departure services continued to be provided to all resettled refugees (GARs, Privately Sponsored Refugees, Blended Visa Office Referred Refugees (BVORs) and Joint Assistance Sponsorship), and to all other clients eligible through RAP who elected to use these services.

In 2023–24, there were 23,976 GAR admissions across the country, compared to 23,759 admissions in 2022–23. During the period, a total of 24,775 GARs received at least one RAP service (excluding Quebec). To further support GARs in having the tools to live independently in Canadian society, 99% of GARs (outside of Quebec) accessed IRCC Settlement services within their first year of arrival. In addition, GARs resettled to Canada (outside of Quebec) receive up to 12 months of income support under RAP, while BVORs receive up to six months. In 2023–24, a total of 22,599 GARs and BVORs received RAP income support.

Communities across Canada continued to face tight rental market conditions and RAP faced pressures due to extended stays of clients in temporary accommodation and delays in moving clients into more permanent accommodation. In response, RAP provided funding to SPOs to implement additional housing search supports, testing new ways of providing temporary housing supports, and providing additional supports to clients in the tightest markets who face additional barriers to securing housing (e.g., larger families or those with accessibility and/or safety considerations). As of March 2024, the average days a RAP client spent in temporary accommodations had fallen to 41 days (as compared to more than 52 days in March 2023).

In 2023–24, RAP continued to support a significant number of clients arriving in Canada through IRCC’s Afghan initiatives. During this period, IRCC facilitated the resettlement to Canada of 9,687 GARs, an additional 2,274 clients through the Extended Family Public Policy (EFPP) of former Afghan interpreters, as well as 137 clients through the Language and Cultural Advisor (LCA) public policy, for a total of 12,098 clients in 2023–24. Of this total, 5,140 Afghan clients were resettled to 43 medium and smaller sized cities across Canada (excluding Quebec), and received immediate and essential services through RAP. EFPP and LCA clients were provided with a one-time payment equal to three months of RAP income support. 

In 2023–24, individuals arriving in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) were eligible to apply for one-time transitional financial assistance through the RAP, in the amount of $3,000 per adult and $1,500 per child, to help support their immediate needs. During this period, more than 133,000 CUAET holders were approved for transitional financial assistance payments.

In 2023–24, Canada also began welcoming clients from Colombia, Haiti and Venezuela through a new humanitarian pathway for extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Clients arriving through this pathway may be eligible for a one-time financial assistance payment through RAP equivalent to three months of RAP income support. In 2023–24, 89 clients were approved for transitional financial assistance payments. 

Findings of audits completed in 2023–24:

No audits were completed during the reporting year, and no audits are currently planned or underway.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24:

An evaluation of the Refugee Resettlement Programs, including RAP, will be completed in Q2 2024–25.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24:

In 2023–24, IRCC regularly consulted with RAP service provider organizations through national and regional engagement tables to help support capacity building with respect to the provision of immediate and essential services to refugees, including those from Afghanistan. The RAP National Coordinator continued to play an instrumental role in providing centralized planning and communication to RAP SPOs and settlement service providers across Canada to facilitate the resettlement of Afghan refugees. An in-person meeting was held in September 2023 with the RAP service provider network to share information about the resettlement program and to discuss progress made and forward planning to support the Government of Canada’s commitment to welcome at least 40,000 Afghan refugees by the end of 2023.

In 2023–24, IRCC also engaged directly with service provider organizations in support of the humanitarian pathway for Colombian, Haitian and Venezuelan nationals through a focused stakeholder engagement table. These meetings provided the opportunity for information sharing between IRCC and service provider organizations, including information on supporting clients in accessing RAP transitional financial assistance.

Financial information (dollars)

Explanation of variances
Funding in relation to the 2023–25 Multi-Year Immigration Levels Plan was not included in the 2023–24 Planned Spending which mainly explains why actual spending is higher than planned. As well, additional funding was obtained during the year due to higher arrivals of Ukrainians, approved for payment, through the Resettlement Assistance Program - Canada-Ukraine Transitional Assistance Initiative (CUTAI).

Of the authorities allocated, a portion was not spent as a result late in the year lapse related to the nature of the activities performed; mainly due to recipient organisations experiencing issues with staff retention and recruitment.

Actual Spending of less than $5 million

Annual Assessed Contribution to the International Organization for Migration

General information

Name of transfer payment program:

Annual Assessed Contribution to the International Organization for Migration (IOM): Voted

Start date:

The IOM is the leading United Nations (UN) agency in the field of migration, having joined the UN system as a related organization in 2016. Canada was a founding member of the IOM in 1951 but withdrew membership in 1962. Canada subsequently rejoined the organization as a full member in 1991 and have paid their annual Assessed Contributions ever since.

End date:

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment:

Contribution^{Footnote 1}

Type of appropriation:

Funds are appropriated annually through Government of Canada Estimates.

Fiscal year for terms and conditions:

2010–11

Link to departmental result:

Potential permanent residents are selected for immigration to Canada

Link to Department’s program inventory:

Asylum

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

Contributions to the IOM allow Canada to:

• Participate in the organization’s governance and decision-making mechanisms, including evaluation and audit, and budget setting practices.
• Enhance its knowledge on global trends and approaches to managed migration.
• Advance its international priorities on migration, which include: helping to ensure the orderly and humane management of migration; promoting international cooperation on migration issues; and assisting in the search for practical solutions to migration problems.
• Provide humanitarian assistance for migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons.
• Deliver IRCC programs in the areas of resettlement, migration health and capacity building.

As an IOM member, the Department has an increased capacity to meet its objectives related to:

• Managed migration that promotes Canadian interests and protects the health, safety and security of Canadians.
• International recognition and acceptance of the principles of managed migration consistent with Canada’s broader foreign policy agenda.

Results Achieved:

IRCC represents Canada as a Member State of the IOM, and Canada paid the assessed contribution to the IOM annually and in a timely manner. As a Member State, IRCC has been able to participate in IOM’s governance and decision-making, including the meetings of the IOM Council and the IOM Standing Committee on Programmes and Finance. This allowed Canada to play a role in the organization’s governance and decision-making to advance international priorities on migration and support delivery of IRCC programs in the areas of resettlement, migration health and capacity building.

Findings of audits completed in 2023–24: 

No audits were completed during the reporting year.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24:

The next evaluation of IRCC’s membership in the IOM is currently scheduled to be completed in 2027–28.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24:

IRCC is the lead federal department in overseeing the institutional relationship between the IOM and the Government of Canada. IRCC participated in the two IOM governing bodies: the IOM Council, and the Standing Committee on Programmes and Finance. This allowed Canada to play a role in the organization’s governance and decision-making.

IRCC also participated in the organization’s formal working groups on Partnerships, Governance and Organizational Priorities, and Budget Reform. Moreover, IRCC was and continues to be present at all informal consultations organized by the IOM, and also at IOM’s International Dialogue on Migration, which is an international biennial meeting on migration policy and governance led by the IOM. Additionally, Government of Canada officials met regularly with IOM management to discuss shared priorities and ways to maintain and continue to improve the positive bilateral relationship.

Financial information (dollars)

Explanation of variances
The amount represents the yearly membership payment to the IOM. Variance is attributable to currency exchange rates.

Global Assistance for Irregular Migrants

General information

Name of transfer payment program:

Global Assistance for Irregular Migrants

Start date:

April 2013

End date:

March 31, 2024

Type of transfer payment:

Contribution

Type of appropriation:

The program is appropriated annually through Government of Canada Estimates.

Fiscal year for terms and conditions:

2018–19

Link to departmental result:

Potential permanent residents are selected for immigration to Canada

Link to Department’s program inventory:

Asylum

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

The purpose of the program is to respond to international crises related to irregular migration quickly and effectively in an effort to ensure managed migration that promotes Canadian interests and protects the health, safety and security of Canadians.

The program provides transfer payments in the form of contributions to trusted international, intergovernmental, and non-governmental organizations (such as the International Organization for Migration [IOM]). It contributes to the overall discouragement of human smuggling and irregular migration while ensuring that intercepted migrants have basic needs met including shelter, water, food, and emergency medical care; are treated in accordance with international principles of human rights including protection against refoulement; and are returned to their countries of origin if determined not to be in need of protection as per international refugee law.

The program is part of Canada’s broader, multi-departmental Migrant Smuggling Prevention Strategy led by Global Affairs Canada.

Results Achieved:

In 2023–24, funding for the Global Assistance for Irregular Migrant (GAIM) program provided $1,000,000 in contributions, assisting intercepted migrants. These funds contributed to repatriation, housing, food and medical care for stranded migrants, as well as continuing the safe migration campaigns in Sri Lanka. In 2023–24, 8,700 individuals participated in safe migration campaign sessions. This assistance, in turn, contributed to the overall discouragement of human smuggling and illegal migration, while ensuring intercepted migrants have basic needs; are treated in accordance with international principles of protection including protection against refoulement; and are returned to their countries of origin if determined not to be in need of protection as per international principles of protection.

Findings of audits completed in 2023–24: 

An Audit of the Asylum Program and a Performance Audit of Undocumented Migration Pilot Program Design are scheduled for completion in 2025–26.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24:

The next evaluation of GAIM is currently scheduled to be completed in 2027–28.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24:

Regular meetings are held with the IOM to oversee activities and ensure the program continues within the intent and letter of the contribution agreement. The GAIM program requires the IOM to seek approvals from IRCC before undertaking significant new activities. Officials meet on an ongoing basis to discuss operations..

Engagement with the ultimate end recipients of assistance, that is, smuggled persons—who are distinct from IRCC applicants—is done by the IOM and overseen by IRCC.

Financial information (dollars)

Explanation of variances
Funding for the GAIM program ended in fiscal year 2022–23 and was excluded from the Planned Spending. In September 2023, the program was extended, and spending occurred for repatriation and other assistance of smuggled and intercepted migrants.

International Migration Capacity Building Program

General information

Name of transfer payment program:

International Migration Capacity Building Program: Voted

Start date:

In February 2003, the program was first launched as the Migration Policy Development Program, in 2019 it was renamed the International Migration Capacity Building Program (IMCBP).

End date:

Ongoing

Type of transfer payment:

Grant

Type of appropriation:

Funds are appropriated annually through Government of Canada Estimates.

Fiscal year for terms and conditions:

2022–23

Link to departmental result:

Potential permanent residents are selected for immigration to Canada

Link to Department’s program inventory:

Asylum

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

International Migration Capacity Building Program (IMCBP) provides funding to eligible grant beneficiaries for initiatives that advance global migration policies and programs, in support of Canada’s migration and humanitarian objectives.

The objective of the IMCBP is to support the development of well-managed migration systems that facilitate safe, orderly and regular migration through:

1. the advancement of capacity building efforts; and,
2. an increase in the development and exchange of migration-related information and expertise.

The IMCBP aligns with standard qualitative as well as, results-based measurement (RBM) practices, such as the inclusion of outcomes, indicators, and targets. These performance measures will assess the effectiveness of initiatives to contribute to:

1. strengthening migration and refugee protection systems in sending, transit and receiving countries;
2. facilitating safe, orderly and regular migration, while deterring irregular migration; and,
3. promoting open, evidence-based discourse on migration and refugee issues.

Results Achieved:

In 2023–24, IRCC continued to invest in existing and new projects through the IMCBP to contribute to the strengthening of migration and protection systems, to facilitate safe, orderly and regular migration while helping to address irregular migration, and to promote open and evidence-based discourse on migration and refugee issues. These investments will continue to support Canada’s migration and protection diplomacy priorities and leadership role.

In 2023–24, the IMCBP has several funding streams: IMCBP Core Funding; the Migration Cooperation and Engagement Envelope (MCEE); support to the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Comprehensive Action Plan for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries; a Climate Finance transfer payment from Global Affairs Canada; the Americas Capacity Building Envelope; and the Venezuela Crisis Capacity Building Envelope whose final projects ended in March 2024.

Specific IMCBP projects undertaken in 2023–24 contributed to the development and strengthening of migration and protection systems in different countries, which enabled migrants and refugees in vulnerable situations, and communities facing challenges with human mobility flows, to receive support and protection and improve their condition. For the countries and regions where projects took place, this support provided technical assistance, training and necessary resources (including technology and equipment) to State authorities and organizations to improve migration service provision, management capacity, and governance.

Through the IMCBP, IRCC has contributed to the strengthening of institutional capacities abroad to ensure safer, more orderly, and regular migration internationally. Canada’s bilateral and multilateral relationships with international organizations and State authorities were facilitated and strengthened through various international fora, conferences, and meetings aimed at increasing open dialogue and cooperation, strategic consultation, and evidence-based information sharing on international migration and protection. Enhanced cooperation on international migration and refugee protection is key to the success of projects and helps ensure that Canadian efforts are aligned with current international migration and protection needs.

As part of the International Migration Capacity Building Program, IRCC continued to support targeted projects including:

• In Nigeria, in partnership with the ARK Group, Canada also facilitated the training of over 550 state police officers on sensitization in trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants as well as the delivery of a countrywide trafficking in persons awareness bus campaign benefiting 1,400 transport personnel and national communications officers. This campaign provided targeted training on strategic communications and messaging for identifying signs of a potential trafficking victim, as well as a weekly TV program and YouTube channel. 
• In Pakistan, through a project with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Canada helped provide trainings and capacity building assistance to law enforcement agencies nationwide on identifying and deterring human trafficking. The project helped contribute to the identification of more than 3,000 cases related to human trafficking and the successful prosecution of approximately 2,000 individuals involved in these crimes.
• In Central Asia, Canada partnered with the IOM to support the IOM’s Comprehensive Action Plan for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries. The project seeks to address the needs of vulnerable Afghans in Central Asia by working with local partners and authorities to generate opportunities for integration, resilience, and social cohesion. In 2023, activities supported the strengthening of government capacities to respond to emergencies and protect vulnerable migrants and displaced people. For example, in Kazakhstan, 500 Afghan nationals received assistance with the development of a business plan as well as language courses, and 29 representatives of a number of government departments and police academies received training which covered topics such as international instruments of protection of migrant rights.

Findings of audits completed in 2023–24:

No audits were completed during the reporting year.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24:

The next evaluation of the IMCBP is currently scheduled to be completed in 2028–29.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24:

As standard practice, IRCC maintained close contact between IRCC project sponsors and recipient organizations, such as the UNHCR, the IOM, the UNODC and the ILO throughout each project’s implementation duration to monitor progress and compliance with the grant arrangement. Pursuant to the grant arrangements, recipients were required to report on the progress of their activities during project implementation and report results of their project following completion.

IRCC also conducted scoping and monitoring missions to India, Nigeria, and Mexico, to assess the preliminary results of each project against proposed outcomes, as well as to engage with relevant stakeholders and identify new meaningful initiatives where Canada could contribute the most.

Through the IMCBP, IRCC has also continued to pay the membership fees of international organizations related to migration, including the Regional Conference on Migration, the Global Forum on Migration and Development, and the Inter-Governmental Consultations on Migration, Asylum and Refugees (IGC). IRCC’s contribution and active engagement in these organizations allows Canada to contribute to direction-setting and helps advance Canada’s migration and protection diplomacy priorities, strengthens Canada’s relationships with other countries and stakeholders, and allows for the exchange of information on best practices:

• Canada’s membership in the IGC continued to enable senior and working level exchanges with IGC member states on a number of timely immigration, asylum, and border management programming issues. Canada also contributed to the Migration Policy Institute, including support for the Transatlantic Council on Migration. Canada’s participation in MPI events has contributed to strengthening engagement with States and stakeholders, and Canada has also benefitted from MPI’s advice and expertise, including through targeted discussions.

Financial information (dollars)

Explanation of variances
Actual spending is higher than planned as a result of the Climate Finance transfer from Global Affairs Canada in 2023–24, which was not included in earlier Planned Spending.