COW – Question Period Note (StatCan Report) – June 10, 2021

Date: June 9, 2021

Classification:

Department: IRCC

StatCan Report – Early impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on immigrant populations

Issue:

StatCan Report – Early impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on immigrant populations (re: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/45-28-0001/2021001/article/00017-eng.htm)

Proposed response:

• The Government of Canada is deeply concerned with early study results showing that that immigrants’ share of deaths attributable to COVID-19 was proportionately higher than immigrants’ share in the total Canadian population.
• My Department continues to pay particular attention to tailored services to newcomer and refugee populations that face additional barriers.
• Since the onset of the pandemic, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) has been working with settlement service provider organizations, as well as with other federal partners, including the Public Health Agency of Canada, and provincial/territorial partners, to ensure newcomers and refugees receive the information and support they need.

If pressed

• Budget 2021 announced an extension to the Racialized Newcomer Women Pilot and additional support to build settlement sector capacity to address family and gender-based violence.
• Most recently, the settlement sector has been working hard to support vaccine uptake among newcomers and refugees by sharing multilingual information, helping newcomers to register for their vaccine, and hosting pop-up clinics in hard-hit areas.
• They have also been working directly with health authorities to raise awareness of newcomer-specific challenges, including those faced by vulnerable clients who may have low official language or digital literacy skills.

If pressed on health, safety and security of newcomers and frontline employees:

• Through the start of the pandemic, IRCC has worked with other government departments to provide accurate public health information and information on federal benefits to settlement service providers for newcomers in multiple languages and formats.
• The Department acquired personal protective equipment for distribution to service provider organizations providing in-person services and supports funding to purchase this in accordance with public health guidelines.

If pressed on engagement with settlement agencies, provinces and territories:

• As part of broader and ongoing federal engagement with the settlement sector, my Department and Canadian Heritage held a virtual town hall on the topic of anti-racism and newcomers with over 600 immigrant-serving agencies.
• My Department has been working very closely with the provinces and territories to coordinate responses to the challenges faced by the settlement sector during COVID-19, so that we can align services and meet the needs of diverse newcomer and refugee population groups.

Contact:

(Name) (Arial 14)

Director General, (Branch)

Tel. No.:

Cell. No.:

Approved By:

(Name) (Arial 14)

Assistant Deputy Minister, (Sector)

No de tél.:

Background:

Our world-class settlement and resettlement services help newcomers successfully integrate into Canadian society and build a life in Canada. They also support employers, schools, and other organizations build more welcoming communities.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) manages the Settlement Program and Resettlement Assistance Program, which are delivered by more than 570 service provider organizations across Canada (outside of Quebec). Through the Settlement Program, eligible newcomers receive information they need about life in Canada, the community in which they will settle, language training, help finding a job, and connections with established immigrants and Canadians. The Resettlement Assistance Program provides immediate and essential services, such as temporary housing, to address the specific needs of government-assisted refugees and other eligible clients.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on racialized populations in Canada, including newcomers and refugees. Throughout the pandemic, IRCC has demonstrated adaptability in addressing the needs of newcomers and refugees, by providing funding flexibilities and other supports to settlement service providers, and collaborating closely with federal and provincial/territorial partners. Service providers have also quickly adapted to provide non-critical services such as settlement language training by telephone, email or online. This has helped to ensure continuity for newcomers, offering them vital support during these uncertain and difficult times.

Settlement programming also includes support services such as childcare, translation, interpretation, transportation and supports for persons with disabilities. These supports facilitate access to settlement services for vulnerable groups. Many clients for these services are women who would not otherwise be able to benefit from settlement programming. Support services are still available to newcomers who need them, while respecting physical distancing requirements and evolving public health guidelines.

The department continues to monitor the situation and has recommended that settlement service providers follow public health and provincial guidelines. Our priority is the well-being, safety, and security of clients and staff.

Access to these programs and services continues until individuals become Canadian citizens. Federally-funded settlement services are often complemented by provincial and territorial programs and IRCC works closely with provincial and territorial partners to align priorities.

We encourage newcomers to reach out to a service provider organization near them to find out how they can access these services: https://ircc.canada.ca/english/newcomers/services/index.asp