CIMM - Summary of 2020-2021 Supplementary Estimates B - Nov 25, 2020

Key messages

• The 2020-2021 Supplementary Estimates (B) include new funding for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in the amount of $324.7M, which is mainly comprised of $242M for the Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP). This brings the total authority for that Program’s grant in 2020-2021 to $344.5M.
• New funding also includes voted authorities in the amount of $44.9M for the 2020-2022 Immigration Levels Plan, a re-profile of $22.3M for the interim lodging sites component of the Enhancing the Integrity of Canada’s Borders and Asylum System initiative, $12.4M for the Protecting People from Unscrupulous and Fraudulent Immigration and Citizenship Consultants initiative announced in Budget 2019, as well as $2M for advertising initiatives related to informing newcomers to Canada about settlement services.
• The Supplementary Estimates also include $3.4M in statutory funding related to employee benefits plans to recognize increases in salary included in these Supplementary Estimates.
• A transfer of $2.3M to Global Affairs Canada to support departmental staff located at missions abroad is also included in these Supplementary Estimates.
• With the approval of these Supplementary Estimates, IRCC’s 2020-2021 spending authorities would total $3.3B.

Supporting facts and figures

• Funding included in these Supplementary Estimates is comprised of the following items:

  1. Funding for the Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP) – $242.0M

     Incremental funding of $242M for the IHAP is included to provide financial support to provinces and, if necessary, to municipal governments, to address extraordinary interim housing pressures resulting from increased volumes of asylum claimants entering or who have entered Canada. This funding will enable partners to address these interim housing pressures, which have been exacerbated by the impacts of the pandemic, and will ensure asylum claimants can be temporarily housed until permanent housing can be secured.

     An amount of $97.5M (out of $242M) will also be allocated to the Settlement Program contribution in order to reverse the temporary transfer processed in the Supplementary Estimates (A) to increase the grant authority pending approval of this $242M funding.

     Overall, total authority for the IHAP grant in 2020-2021 will be $344.5M.

  2. Funding for the 2020-2022 Immigration Levels Plan – $44.9M of voted authorities

     This funding will help support the increase in Canada’s immigration levels. The Plan was tabled in March 2020 and includes an increase of 1,000 in 2021 for a new total of 351,000 admissions and an additional increase of 10,000 in 2022, for a new total of 361,000 admissions. Funding is to process additional volumes of permanent resident applications and to provide settlement services.

     IRCC is also seeking funding for the permanent establishment of the Atlantic Immigration Program; funding to support the achievement of targets for the refugee Resettlement Program; and changes to the Resettlement Program’s Terms and Conditions.

     Funding for future years will be sought through the upcoming Main Estimates.

  3. Enhancing the integrity of Canada’s Borders and Asylum System – Re-profile of $22.3M

     IRCC is requesting to re-profile lapsed funding of $22.3M from the previous fiscal year for interim lodging sites to provide temporary housing to asylum seekers whose immediate accommodation needs cannot be addressed by a province or municipality and in case of a spike in irregular migration.

  4. Funding for Protecting People from Unscrupulous and Fraudulent Immigration and Citizenship Consultants – $12.4M of voted authorities

     This funding is to protect applicants and newcomers to Canada from unscrupulous and fraudulent immigration and citizenship consultants.

     Budget 2019 included funding for IRCC and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to jointly deliver on this initiative which will focus on improving the regulation and oversight of immigration and citizenship consultants, strengthening compliance and enforcement measures, as well as supporting public awareness activities. Ultimately, these measures will ensure better client protection and help maintain the integrity of Canada’s immigration and citizenship system.

  5. Advertising initiatives – $2M

     This funding is to support a national campaign aimed to inform newcomers to Canada about settlement services available in the official language of their choice, in order to help them succeed in their new home. These services include employment-related services, information and orientation services, community connections services, language assessment and training, mentorship, and more.

     The campaign will also help complement IRCC’s stakeholder outreach efforts. The inclusive communities’ component of the campaign is new this year, and aims to inform Canadians about the benefits of immigration through real-life stories and facts. It will also encourage Canadians to engage with immigrants, understand their contributions to the Canadian economy and local communities and get involved in welcoming newcomers into their communities for everyone’s benefit.

  6. Transfer to Global Affairs to support departmental staff located at missions abroad – ($2.3M)

     This transfer is to support IRCC’s staff located at missions abroad.

Background

• The 2020-2021 Supplementary Estimates (B) represent the second supply request this fiscal year.
• These Supplementary Estimates were tabled in Parliament in October 2020 and supply is anticipated for December 2020.
• Funding related to employee benefit plans consist of employer costs for the Public Service Superannuation Plan, the Canada and Quebec Pension Plan, Death Benefits, and Employment Insurance.