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Key Findings

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Program need

Research has shown that immigrants have different resources and face various challenges during the settlement process. The federal government has provided funding to address these needs through a number of mechanisms, one of which is the grant to Quebec.

The grant to Quebec, a provision of the Canada-Quebec Accord, provides the province with the flexibility to deliver settlement services in alignment with the provincial objective of ensuring the integration of immigrants in Quebec in a manner that respects the distinct identity of the province.

Alignment with Federal Government and departmental priorities

The grant is aligned with federal government priorities with respect to federal-provincial relations, as CIC and Provinces/Territories share the common goal of making immigration programs responsive to the unique needs of each province and territory.

From a settlement perspective, the grant is aligned with CIC’s strategic outcome of ensuring the participation of newcomers and citizens in fostering an integrated society.

Under the Accord, the federal government retains sole responsibility for citizenship. There is a question being raised however, with respect to CIC’s ability to address the federal government’s priority to ensure individuals understand Canadian values and are aware of their rights and responsibilities with respect to citizenship. To help individuals prepare for life in Canada and the citizenship test, information is often provided through settlement services, particularly via language training curricula. Language curricula in Quebec also follows this approach, however the focus is on providing information about Quebec culture.

Roles and responsibilities of the Federal Government

The federal government’s role with respect to the provision of funding to the province of Quebec is appropriate, given the shared jurisdiction for immigration and the ability of CIC to enter into agreements with the provinces, as outlined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act of 2002.

As a result of changes to the Financial Administration Act in 2006, CIC must now evaluate every on-going grant program over a five-year cycle. Given that the province is not required to report to the federal government on the outcomes of the grant, CIC cannot fully adhere to this requirement.

Performance

Achievement of expected outcomes

When considered in their entirety, based on the document review and interviews, it appears that the settlement services provided in the province of Quebec generally correspond to those provided by the federal government in the rest of the country. Differences exist in how the programs are delivered, but in the absence of clear assessment criteria on which to base this comparison, a definitive conclusion on the degree to which the province is complying with this requirement cannot be reached.

Demonstration of economy and efficiency

The funds disbursed comply with the stipulations set out in the Accord. While the calculation of the grant amount is routine, the formula itself, which guarantees the grant amount will never decrease, is seen by interviewees as too rigid.

The approach to funding is deemed by interviewees to be economical from an administrative perspective. The routine nature of the grant calculation and the absence of any reporting requirements minimize the level of effort required to manage and monitor the administration of the grant. The evaluation, however, cannot conclude whether the amount of the grant represents the most economical use of funds.

The cost efficiency and effectiveness of the grant is also not known, as the province of Quebec is not required to provide the data required to conduct an analysis.

Recommendations

  1. Given current FPT efforts to develop common settlement outcomes and indicators at the national level, it is recommended that CIC continue to engage the government of Quebec in discussing these common outcomes and indicators and in sharing information for the purpose of measuring and reporting on results achieved.
  2. In order to help confirm that the reception and integration services provided by Quebec correspond, when considered in their entirety, with those provided by Canada elsewhere in the country, it is recommended that CIC:
    • re-examine and update the list of services set out in Annex B of the Accord; and
    • undertake an annual study of reception and integration services provided by Canada and Quebec.
  3. It is recommended that CIC determine how the accountability requirements of the FAA apply to the grant, given that the province of Quebec is not required to report on settlement and integration outcomes under the grant.

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