ARCHIVED – Report on Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences – Fiscal Year 2010–2011

As required by the Treasury Board Directive on the Management of Expenditures on Travel, Hospitality and Conferences, this report provides information on the total annual expenditures for each of travel, hospitality and conferences for the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2011.

This information is updated annually and does not contain information withheld under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act.

Expenditures on travel, hospitality and conferences incurred by federal departments and agencies are related to supporting departmental mandate(s) and the government’s priorities.

CIC’s Mandate and Core Legislation/Regulations

CIC was established on June 23, 1994 by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act. It is a Department named in Schedule I of the Financial Administration Act and currently reports to Parliament through the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism.

CIC’s mandate comes from the shared jurisdiction of Section 95 of the Constitution Act, 1867, the Citizenship Act, and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

CIC administers the Citizenship Act of 1977 and shares responsibility with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), which was enacted following a major legislative reform in 2002. CIC also has responsibility of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act of 1988.

Key Strategic Outcomes and Major Programs

The Department’s key strategic outcomes are:

• Migration that significantly benefits Canada’s economic, social and cultural development, while protecting the health, safety and security of Canadians
• International recognition and acceptance of the principles of managed migration consistent with Canada’s broader foreign policy agenda, and protection of refugees in Canada
• Successful integration of newcomers into society and promotion of Canadian citizenship.

These three strategic outcomes are delivered with the following program activities.

Integration Program: The objectives of CIC’s Integration Program are to develop policies and programs that support the settlement, resettlement, adaptation, and integration of newcomers into Canadian society by delivering orientation, adaptation and settlement services as well as language programs for newcomers.

Immigration Program: The Immigration Program aims to design, develop, and implement policies and programs to facilitate the entry of permanent residents in a way which maximizes their economic, social, and cultural contribution to Canada; and protects the health, safety, and security of Canadians.

Refugee Program: The Refugee Program fulfils Canada’s international obligations by providing protection to refugees who seek asylum in Canada. It also maintains our humanitarian tradition by coming to the aid of refugees abroad and through resettlement to Canada.

Temporary Resident Program: The Temporary Resident Program aims to design, develop, and implement policies and programs to facilitate the entry of temporary workers, students, and visitors in a way which maximizes their contribution to Canada’s economic, social, and cultural development and protects the health, safety, and security of Canadians.

Citizenship Program: The Citizenship Program administers citizenship legislation and promotes the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship. CIC administers the acquisition of Canadian citizenship by developing, implementing, and applying legislation, regulations and policies that protect the integrity of Canadian citizenship and allow eligible applicants to be granted citizenship or be provided with a proof of citizenship. In addition, the program promotes citizenship, to both newcomers and the Canadian-born, through various events, materials and projects. Promotional activities focus on enhancing knowledge of Canada’s history, institutions, and values, as well as fostering an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship.

In conjunction with the Citizenship Program, the Multiculturalism Program plays a key role in encouraging integration and increasing social cohesion. The Program aims to foster inter-cultural and inter-faith understanding; promote civic pride and memory; respect for core Canadian values; and equality of opportunity.

Canada’s Role in International Migration and Protection: The Canada’s Role in International Migration and Protection Program aims to advance Canada’s interests in the context of international migration consistent with Canada’s legal and international obligations; steer and influence the international agenda on migration management issues, ensuring consistency with Canada’s foreign and other public policy approaches; contribute to managing migration internationally; and support development of Canada’s image abroad.

To achieve the delivery of these program activities, CIC operates 46 points of service in Canada and 90 points of service in 76 countries. CIC’s hospitality expenses are mainly derived from activities related to hosting of citizenship ceremonies, events and meetings with foreign dignitaries as well as with federal/provincial/territorial stakeholders.

CIC works in a multi-faceted, rapidly changing policy environment. Canada is a nation built on immigration, which has always played an important economic role in meeting our labour market needs. International migration is increasingly complex, with the movement of people being closely linked to trade, global health, and security concerns. Even as we strengthen partnerships at home, we must also foster international partnerships to ensure well-managed, safe and secure international migration. Managing our migration programs requires continued vigilance with respect to fraud and security threats. Managing in a global environment dictates that CIC must travel in order to ensure program integrity and to provide an oversight and monitoring of its national and international operations.

Total annual expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences of Citizenship and Immigration Canada are summarized below: