AFGH – Mandate Commitments for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) – April 25, 2022

• Continue to bring newcomers to Canada to drive economic growth and recovery, as set out in the 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan
• Expand the new immigration stream for human rights defenders and work with civil society groups to provide resettlement opportunities for people under threat.
• With the support of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, continue to facilitate the safe passage and resettlement of vulnerable people from Afghanistan, with an emphasis on individuals who supported Canada and our allies over the past two decades, women, LGBTQ2 people, human rights defenders, journalists and members of religious and ethnic minorities and increase the number of eligible refugees from 20,000 to at least 40,000.
• Reduce application processing times, including to address delays that have been impacted by COVID-19
• Work to strengthen family reunification by introducing electronic applications for family reunification and implementing a program to issue temporary resident status to spouses and children abroad while they wait for the processing of their permanent residency application.
• Make the citizenship application process free for permanent residents who have fulfilled the requirements needed to obtain it.
• With the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, establish a Trusted Employer system for Canadian companies hiring temporary foreign workers and, as part of improving the Global Talent Stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, simplify permit renewals, uphold the two-week processing time and establish an employer hotline. Continue to work with provinces, territories and regulatory bodies to improve foreign credential recognition.
• Build on existing pilot programs to further explore ways of regularizing status for undocumented workers who are contributing to Canadian communities.
• Continue working with Quebec to support the French-language knowledge of immigrants in Quebec, respecting provincial jurisdiction and complementing existing measures; and continue to implement an ambitious national strategy to support Francophone immigration across the country.
• Lead the Government’s work on irregular migration, including continued work with the United States to modernize the Safe Third Country Agreement.
• Expand pathways to Permanent Residence for international students and temporary foreign workers through the Express Entry system. With respect to pathways for agricultural temporary foreign workers, you will be supported in this work by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
• Building on the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, work with employers and communities across Canada to welcome 2,000 skilled refugees to fill labour shortages in high-demand sectors such as health care.
• Ensure that immigration better supports small- and medium-size communities that require additional immigrants to enhance their economic growth and social vibrancy. This will include expanding the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot; moving forward on the Municipal Nominee Program and; making the successful Atlantic Immigration Pilot a permanent program.

• From the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion mandate letter:

  With the support of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, implement sector-based work permits and strengthen the inspection regime to ensure the health and safety of temporary foreign workers.

Corporate and Whole-of-Government Commitments

Finishing the Fight Against COVID-19:

• Bold, concrete action to build a healthier, more resilient future through collaboration, engagement and evidence based decision making.

Climate Action:

• Move faster and go further to address climate change by reducing emissions, create clean jobs and address climate related challenges facing communities.

Reconciliation:

• Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to work in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to advance their rights.

Diversity, Inclusion, Equity:

• Collaborate with women, Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized Canadians, newcomers, faith-based communities, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2 Canadians in both official languages to address systemic inequities.

GBA+:

• Ensure public policies are developed through an intersectional lens, including Gender-Based Analysis Plus and quality of life indicators.

Effectiveness, Openness and Accountability:

• Continue regulatory reform efforts to support Government’s broad agenda.