CIMM – Crisis Response Framework – November 25, 2024

Key Messages

As global displacement becomes more complex, Canada is increasingly called upon to address unique humanitarian situations.
Canada remains committed to responding to international crises, including through immigration measures when appropriate, while managing pressures on housing, infrastructure, and social services.
Aligned with key commitments under the Strategic Immigration Review and as part of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) approach to controlled and managed migration, the Department is advancing a Crisis Response Framework to enable faster, more efficient and consistent decision-making and implementation of migration responses.
Building on recent lessons learned, the Crisis Response Framework includes tools to effectively monitor, assess and implement migration responses, and enable coordination with provinces and territories, partners and stakeholders.
IRCC is also considering new approaches to providing necessary supports and services so that those arriving in Canada as part of a migration response to a crisis are able to more quickly settle and integrate into the Canadian context.

This year’s Levels Plan upholds Canada’s long-standing commitment to resettle the world’s most vulnerable.
In response to crises, immigration measures can be used as part of the government’s overall response, which often includes consular support and services for Canadians and humanitarian assistance.
The Crisis Response Framework provides the foundation to help IRCC better anticipate, respond to, and manage emerging crises in support of a controlled and managed migration system. This includes ensuring alignment with Levels planning and Canada’s domestic welcoming capacities.

The Crisis Response Framework will position the immigration system to quickly and successfully implement crisis-specific migration responses. It will contribute to a well-managed migration system that can accommodate unplanned pressures. The Crisis Response Framework will also promote successful establishment of clients who arrive in Canada via a crisis-specific migration response.
The Crisis Response Framework builds on lessons learned from recent responses, as well as engagement with provinces and territories, partners, and stakeholders.

The commitment to develop a Crisis Response Framework was made public following the release of the Building a Stronger Immigration System report in October 2023.
We are working to implement the Crisis Response Framework, including new assessment criteria, to inform advice on whether and how to develop and adapt a migration response to emerging situations and international crises.
The Crisis Response Framework will evolve as we integrate real-time lessons learned and best practices from each response, as well as feedback from engagement with provinces and territories, partners, and stakeholders.

The International Affairs and Crisis Response Sector is leading the development of the Crisis Response Framework, and provides the capacity to prepare for, prioritize, and respond to emerging crises. The creation of the sector builds on commitments from the Strategic Immigration Review as well as parliamentary recommendations to establish an emergency response mechanism for future crises.

When responding to international crises, the Government of Canada tailors each response to meet the unique needs of those who require support.
As part of the Crisis Response Framework, we are looking closely at our programs and initiatives to assess how they impact different groups of clients, with a view to enhancing equity of access and benefits.
The Crisis Response Framework seeks to improve decision-making by establishing assessment criteria to inform when a migration response may be appropriate for particular situations, based on the needs of affected populations and informed by equity considerations, as well as the capacity of the immigration system to enable positive outcomes for clients.

We know that in-Canada supports can play an important role in helping new arrivals to establish themselves in Canada, whether they are arriving as permanent or temporary residents.
As part of our work on the Crisis Response Framework, we are exploring the supports and services for individuals arriving through a migration response to a crisis, as well as the tools and resources required to improve readiness and collaboration across government and with partners to deliver these supports and services.
This work is ongoing and more details will be shared as they become available.