Evaluation of the Global Assistance for Irregular Migrants Program (GAIM)

Research and Evaluation Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Project reference number: E2-2022

October 2022

Executive Summary

Background

This report presents the findings of the Evaluation of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Global Assistance for Irregular Migrants (GAIM) program. The evaluation was conducted in fulfillment of requirements under the Treasury Board’s Policy on Results and covered the period between fiscal years 2015–2016 and 2020–2021.

The primary focus of the evaluation examined the governance structure of the program, with a secondary focus on the results achieved against the GAIM program’s stated outcomes.

Summary of conclusions

Regarding the primary evaluation focus, the evaluation revealed that unclear roles and responsibilities within IRCC were contributing to potential governance and management issues that could impact the delivery of the GAIM program.

The evaluation also found that while the program was responsive, met smuggled migrants’ basic needs, and provided return and reintegration assistance, it is difficult to determine the full effectiveness of the assistance as this type of outcome data is not available.

In response to the evaluation’s findings, and in support of continued improvement of the program, two recommendations are proposed.

Summary of recommendations

Theme 1: Performance Measurement

IRCC would benefit from a review of the GAIM program’s performance measurement strategy, as it is currently difficult for the department to adequately communicate the results story. IRCC requires the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to collect and report on output data such as numbers of assessments conducted, services provided, and migrants opting for voluntary return. However, the IOM is not required by their contribution agreement (CA) to collect data that would help determine the effectiveness of the reintegration assistance for these migrants. Though it is not a requirement in the current CA, the IOM does collect some relevant data in this area; however, the data will not be made available until the current CA has ended. As well, the GAIM program logic model includes activities that no longer take place under the GAIM program, such as capacity building, as this work is administered by Global Affairs Canada (GAC).

Recommendation 1: The GAIM program should:

1. update its performance measurement strategy and program outcomes; and
2. ensure the reporting requirements in the future third party CA include key performance data/reports on program effectiveness.

Theme 2: Roles and Responsibilities

While the program has been implemented effectively and in a timely manner, evidence pointed to a lack of clear roles within IRCC, which has created potential risks that could impact the future delivery of and timely decision-making for the GAIM program. These unclear roles surrounding program management and governance make it difficult to establish program accountability, particularly at the senior management level. As well, at the time of the evaluation, there was no policy lead associated with the program. It was found that the program could benefit clarifying roles and responsibilities within IRCC.

Recommendation 2: IRCC should clarify and communicate internal governance of the GAIM program, including confirming roles and responsibilities and program accountability, and identifying a departmental policy lead for the human smuggling portfolio.