Settlement Program

Terms and Conditions

Program Name: Settlement Program
Category: Grant and Contribution
Department: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Last Updated: March 8^th, 2024

1. Authority

1.1 The Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act establishes the Department of Citizenship and Immigration (also known under the name Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) over which the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration presides. Section 4 of that Act sets out the powers, duties and functions of the Minister.

4. The powers, duties and functions of the Minister extend to and include all matters over which Parliament has jurisdiction relating to citizenship and immigration and that are not by law assigned to any other department, board or agency of the Government of Canada.

1.2 The authority for the Settlement Program is found in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Settlement Program directly contributes to the following objective in IRPA (although other objectives are also supported):

3. (1) (e) to promote the successful integration of permanent residents into Canada, while recognizing that integration involves mutual obligations for new immigrants and Canadian society.

Approval Authority

1.3 The Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act provides the authority for the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to enter into agreements and arrangements with the provinces and international organizations as follows:

Agreements

5. (1) The Minister, with the approval of the Governor in Council, may enter into agreements with any province or group of provinces or with any foreign government or international organization, for the purpose of facilitating the formulation, coordination and implementation — including the collection, use and disclosure of information — of policies and programs for which the Minister is responsible.

Arrangements

(2) The Minister may enter into arrangements with any province or group of provinces or with any foreign government or international organization, for the purpose of facilitating the formulation, coordination and implementation — including the collection, use and disclosure of information — of policies and programs for which the Minister is responsible.

These terms and conditions apply to both Arrangements and Agreements entered into by IRCC under the Settlement Program.

2. Purpose and Objective

2.1 For Canada to realize the economic, social and cultural benefits of immigration, newcomers must integrate successfully into Canadian society. The IRCC Settlement Program plays a major role by assisting immigrants and refugees to overcome barriers specific to the newcomer experience so that they can undertake their longer-term integration on a similar footing to other Canadians.

2.2 The IRCC Settlement Program and related services aim to provide newcomers with the information required to make informed decisions, language skills adequate to their settlement and integration goals, and the support they need to build networks within their new communities. IRCC funds the delivery of settlement programming across the country and outside Canada, and provides support for initiatives that contribute to the capacity enhancement of recipient organizations.

Expected Outcomes

2.3 Settlement refers to a short period of mutual adaptation between the newcomers and the host society, during which the government provides support and services to newcomers. Integration is a two-way process that involves commitment on the part of immigrants to adapt to life in Canada and on the part of Canada to welcome and adapt to new peoples and cultures.

2.4 IRCC’s Settlement Program assists immigrants and refugees to overcome barriers specific to the newcomer so that they can participate in social, cultural, civic and economic life in Canada.

2.5 The expected outcomes of the Settlement Program are articulated in the program Logic Model. These include outcomes at the immediate, intermediate, ultimate and strategic levels.

The immediate outcomes are the direct short-term programming results intended for eligible clients of IRCC-funded settlement services.

Projects and activities funded under the Settlement Program are expected to address and contribute to the immediate level of outcomes for eligible clients, which can have influence or impact on the broader outcomes. Note: this is the level projects will be accountable for achieving and reporting.

The intermediate outcomes are the eventual intended social and economic outcomes for eligible clients of the IRCC Settlement Program to support longer term integration. These outcomes may be attributable to both IRCC and to other programming and services (community and other non-IRCC funded services).

The ultimate outcomes in the logic model relate to the overall integration of newcomers in Canada. While IRCC Settlement Program is intended to support newcomer settlement toward longer term integration, newcomer outcomes at this level are attributable to a variety of factors including social and economic trends in Canadian society.

On the whole, the Settlement Program supports IRCC’s broader mission and is central to fulfilling one of the Department’s strategic objectives, namely that newcomers and citizens participate in fostering an integrated society.

Performance Measurement Strategy (PM Strategy)

2.6 The PM strategy is the principal accountability document for the performance measurement of the Settlement Program. It describes the purpose of the Settlement Program and the roles and responsibilities of IRCC and other stakeholders for the provision of settlement services and the expected results for newcomers to Canada.

For the fiscal years 2013-2014 and beyond, the PM strategy provides information on the Settlement Program (background, objectives, funding); the Settlement Program Logic Model (illustrating the Program theory including program components, related outputs and expected outcomes); the performance measurement framework for data collection and measurement; and the broader evaluation strategy, as well as related reporting requirements and schedules. Attributes of the PM Strategy include:

Expected Results

• Clients access to services is facilitated, increased understanding of clients’ needs, clients receive appropriate information and services to address settlement their needs and attain awareness of community and other resources to deal with settlement issues; gain knowledge about life in Canada; learn official languages; acquire knowledge and skills for adapting to life in Canada, and make connections related to community and employment
• Clients access services they need, make informed decisions about life in Canada, have/use official languages and participate in local labour markets, and broader communities and social networks
• Partners deliver responsive and coordinated settlement and community services
• Communities foster welcoming environment for immigrants
• Consistent and responsive Settlement Program delivery

Indicators

• Client demographics, service usage and expenditures collected by IRCC administrative data systems;
• Program activities/services/costs and results reported by service providers/funding recipients; and,
• Outcome information collected from client-based surveys and program evaluations
• Engagement of partners in support of newcomer integration
• Progress on development of welcoming characteristics of communities
• Geographic distribution of services
• Appropriateness of policy and program guidance, financial stewardship, project management, and monitoring

N.B. The Department designed its performance measurement approach by developing a Performance Information Profile in 2017, which includes the Logic Model with results described above and the Performance Measurement Strategy Framework. The Performance Information Profile aligns and supports the Departmental Result Framework.

3. Eligible Services/Initiatives/Projects

Program components

3.1 IRCC funds direct and indirect settlement services both inside and outside Canada, which address the settlement-related needs of immigrants and refugees. The provision of settlement services across these broad components will enable IRCC to achieve the immediate and intermediate outcomes outlined in section 2.

3.2 To ensure that the mix of direct and indirect services aligns with IRCC priorities as well as results for Canadians, IRCC leads a national and regional planning and priorities exercise to harmonize the level and type of services offered to clients. This exercise ensures that there is a standard and consistent level of service in place for clients and that regional service needs are taken into account.

3.3 Settlement program activities also aim to support the vitality of minority official language communities in Canada. To this end, IRCC implements the Francophone Integration Pathway, funding a suite of direct and indirect settlement services offered in French by Francophone organizations.

Direct Services

Contribution

3.4 The vast majority of Settlement Program funds involve a direct programming intervention by a recipient (generally through in-person, group-based, or online programming) with an eligible newcomer client in order to advance their individual settlement outcomes. Direct services are comprised of five main interlinked program components supported by Support Services to enable access to programming.

a) Support Services that Enable Clients to Access Services

IRCC funds services that play an essential role in enabling clients to access the direct service components outlined below. Eligible support services include childcare, translation and interpretation services, crisis counselling, transportation assistance, and provisions for disabilities. These barrier-reducing services are always provided in conjunction with a direct service.

b) Needs and assets assessment and referrals

Services that provide formal reviews of client needs across a broad spectrum of settlement areas and connect clients to settlement and community-based services.

Eligible services include needs and assets assessments and reassessments, the development of personalized settlement plans, and referrals to IRCC-funded and other settlement services.

c) Information and orientation

Services that provide clients with information about Canada and the community in which they intend to settle. They also help clients to develop the life skills they need to integrate into Canadian society.

Eligible services include port of entry services, dissemination of information products (electronic or print), orientation sessions, promotion and outreach, individual and family consultations or counselling, and information referral.

d) Language training

Services that support clients in developing official language skills required for the labour market and/or navigating life outside work.

Eligible services include language assessment such as placement testing and referrals, formal language training classes, and informal language learning sessions.

e) Employment-related

Services that directly equip clients with employment-related skills and support in accessing the labour market. These services include preparation for the credential assessment process.

Eligible services include employment bridging initiatives, employment-related mentoring and networking, and employment and credential assessment counselling, skills development and training.

f) Community connections

Services that help to connect clients with the broader community, public institutions, and community organizations. These services also provide opportunities for partners, volunteers, and local community members to be actively engaged in settlement programming.

Eligible services include community activities, services connecting clients to public institutions and their communities, cross-cultural activities, and mentoring and networking.

g) Ukraine Response: Airport and Hotel Supports

In addition to the five interlinked program components and support services above, services that provide Ukrainian temporary residents and their dependents with transportation, security arrangements and incidental supports associated with their stay in Government of Canada supported temporary accommodations, including where their stay in temporary accommodations is during the quarantine period required by Order in Council under the Quarantine Act. Access to temporary accommodations supports will only be available one time per eligible client, until April 14, 2024.

Eligible services include transportation from the airport to Government of Canada-supported temporary accommodations facilities (and can include other targeted transportation needs), security arrangements where required, and provision of assistance with essential incidental supports (e.g., medication, and other life necessities) at temporary accommodation facilities.

Indirect services

Grant and Contribution

3.5 While the vast majority of services funded by the Settlement Program are direct services to clients, IRCC reserves a small amount of funds for indirect services.

The Settlement Program’s indirect services seek to enhance capacity in the IRCC-funded settlement community to optimize client outcomes.

3.6 They also assist partners engaged in settlement (employers, community organizations, other levels of government and public institutions) to connect with newcomers, establish inclusive practices, and facilitate the contribution of newcomers to Canada.

3.7 These services help to ensure that service provision to clients is evidence-based, consistent, coordinated, innovative and effective. Eligible initiatives include but are not limited to:

• Conferences, development and sharing of materials, tools and best practices
• Development of pilot/demonstration projects for service delivery innovation
• Development, management and dissemination of service provider training content, standards and curricula to ensure comparable newcomer outcomes
• Community engagement and partnerships for local planning and coordination
• Promotion of francophone settlement services and francophone minority communities;
• Awareness, attraction and retention activities to support the vitality of francophone minority communities;
• Employer Engagement
• Francophone Immigration Network (RIFs)
• Local Immigration Partnerships (LIPs)
• Professional Development
• Support to local communities and employers to assist them in accessing foreign-trained newcomers
• Support to facilitate the credential assessment process for internationally trained individuals through projects with regulatory bodies, apprenticeship authorities and/or related partners, organizations or partnerships
• Applied research on unmet needs and best practices regarding settlement services

Eligible Clients

3.8 Only the following persons are eligible to receive settlement services:

• Permanent Residents of Canada.
• Protected Persons as defined in Section 95 of IRPA.
• Individuals who have been selected, inside or outside Canada, to become permanent residents (pending verifications) and who have been informed, by a letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
• Convention refugees and protected persons outside Canada who have been selected for resettlement in Canada by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
• Temporary foreign workers who hold or received approval of a work permit under section 112 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) or received initial approval for permanent residence under section 113 of the IRPR.
• Foreign nationals who have been granted a temporary resident visa under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, and their dependents, Ukrainian nationals who have been granted a temporary resident permit, as well as Ukrainian temporary residents and their dependents in Canada are deemed eligible persons until March 31, 2025.
• Individuals who are granted a temporary resident visa under the Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Temporary Resident Visas for Certain Extended Family affected by the Crisis in Gaza; individuals holding a travel or other document issued by the Palestinian Authority, or their family members as defined in section 1(3) of the IRPR, who do not meet the eligibility requirements of the above-noted public policy and are issued a temporary resident visa based on exemptions from IRPA or the IRPR granted by a delegated officer on humanitarian and compassionate grounds between January 9 and December 31, 2024; individuals holding a travel or other document issued by the Palestinian Authority, or their family members as defined in section 1(3) of the IRPR, who do not meet the eligibility requirements of the above-noted public policy and are issued a temporary resident permit by a designated officer where justified in the circumstances between January 9 and December 31, 2024; and temporary residents who were assisted in their departure from the Palestinian Territories by the Government of Canada between November 1, 2023 and December 31, 2024, are deemed eligible persons until March 31, 2027.
• Temporary residents and foreign nationals who have been selected by employers under the Atlantic Immigration Program (and their dependents) are deemed eligible persons for needs and assets assessment and referrals and information and orientation program components [3.4 b) and c)].
• Temporary residents (and their dependents) who have received confirmation of a complete Application for Permanent Residence under the Atlantic Immigration Program are deemed eligible to receive support services that enable clients to access services, needs and assets assessment and referrals, information and orientation and community connections program components [3.4 a), b), c) and f)].
• Temporary residents who have received confirmation of a complete Application for Permanent Residence under the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (and their dependents) are deemed eligible to receive support services that enable clients to access services, needs and assets assessment and referrals, information and orientation, and community connections program components [3.4 a), b), c) and f)], as authorized by Ministerial Instructions [14.1 IRPA] for the duration of the pilot.

Notes

• Eligible persons include both the principal applicant and eligible dependents (spouse and children).

Restrictions

• To access language training, persons must be of legal school-leaving age within their applicable province or territory.
• Except as set out under section 3.8, Canadian citizens, temporary residents and foreign nationals are not eligible persons.

4. Eligible Recipients

4.1 In order to fulfill IRCC’s objective of promoting the successful integration of permanent residents into Canada, grant and contribution agreements may be signed with the following eligible recipients for settlement services:

• Provincial, territorial or municipal governments;
• International organizations;
• Not for profit organizations including non-governmental organizations, non-profit corporations, community groups, umbrella organizations, and regulatory bodies and apprenticeship authorities;
• Businesses, including those that provide indirect services (e.g., employers hiring newcomers, private language schools, conference organizers, web or production firms for tool development);
• Educational institutions (including school boards, districts and divisions); and
• Individuals.

As long as the settlement service is within the eligible services/initiatives/projects defined in section 3, eligible recipients are responsible for the type of settlement services offered and to whom they will provide these services.

Restriction

• Unless specifically allowed in the contribution agreement, no user fees can be charged to clients for services funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
• For-profit organizations may be eligible for funding provided that the nature and the intent of the activity is non-commercial, not intended to generate profit, and supports program priorities and objectives.

5. Eligible Expenditures

5.1 Grants and contribution agreements may be made towards activities related to eligible services and could encompass the following expenditures that are determined to be reasonable and essential:

5.2 Where the recipient further distributes contribution funding to a third party organization to carry out project activities, payments by the recipient to reimburse the third party for the types of expenditures incurred listed above by the third party are also eligible expenditures. Further distribution of funding is not applicable for grants.

Restrictions

• No financial assistance (except transportation and child care costs) will be paid directly to eligible clients.
• Costs associated with validation of individuals’ professional credentials are not eligible.
• Profit is neither a "cost" nor an "expense" and therefore may not be included in the eligible costs.

6. Determination of Contribution Amount

6.1 The Department will ensure that the amount of the contribution or grant is at a minimal level required to attain the objectives of the program clearly defined in Section 2. And the results expected by the recipient. The other sources of funds will also be considered to ensure that the amount is appropriate. The following other factors will also be considered:

• Level of funds available;
• Stacking limit.

6.2 The Department has the capacity to manage its Settlement Program under existing reference levels.

6.3 In the case where the contribution recipient is carrying out a small-scale project to test leveraging, pay-for-performance and elements of social finance, funding will be sourced from the National Fund of the Settlement Program under existing reference levels.

6.4 For a limited number of small-scale projects, pre-determined performance expectations payments will be linked to client results at specific milestones (such as attainment and maintenance of language levels or employment) at a rate of pay as set out in the agreement.

7. Maximum Amount Payable

7.1 The maximum amount payable to each eligible recipient through their combined Settlement Program contribution and grant agreements shall not exceed the per fiscal year limits indicated below. Within the overall recipient limits, the maximum amount payable per recipient through grants shall not exceed the fiscal year limits indicated.

8. Basis of Payment

Contribution

8.1 Payments of contributions will normally be made as reimbursements of eligible costs incurred or expenditures made by the contribution recipient and will be based on the presentation of acceptable claims and progress reports, in accordance with the terms of the contribution agreement.

8.2 Administrative cost category will be kept to a minimum in relation to program delivery.

8.3 Contribution agreements may be up to five years in duration.

8.3.1 Contribution agreements with current recipients delivering pre-arrival services may be extended on a one-time basis for a period of 24 months, from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2025.

8.3.2 Contribution agreements with select recipients delivering services originally funded through the Racialized Newcomer Women Pilot may be extended on a one time basis for a period of 24 months, from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2025.

8.3.3 Contribution agreements with current recipients delivering language training services funded through the Action Plan for Official Languages may be extended on a one-time basis for a period of 12 months, from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

8.3.4 Contribution agreements with current recipients delivering services relating to linkages between the healthcare and settlement sectors may be extended on a one-time basis for a period of 12 months, from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

8.4 At the time of claiming final payment, or at the end of each year in the case of a multi-year agreement, the recipient must provide an accounting statement and a final detailed report on the achievement of the objectives outlined in the agreement.

8.5 Advance payments and holdbacks will also be used in the payment of contributions.

8.6 In support of Canada’s involvement in urgent initiatives related to refugees, reimbursements may be made for costs incurred prior to the signature/start date of the agreement only in cases where there is a provision in the agreement. In these circumstances, costs will be eligible for reimbursement as of the date Canada announces its involvement in the urgent initiative, for a maximum funding of the contribution agreement value.

8.7 In the case where the contribution recipient is carrying out a small-scale project to test the Settlement Program’s elements of pay-for-performance or social finance, certain progress and final payments to the recipient will be tied to the achievement of predetermined performance expectations.

For example, pre-determined performance expectations can be described as attainment of sustained employment, or demonstrated improvement in language level or improved mentoring and network capability as certified by an independent organization (ex. employer, certified language assessor, third-party evaluator). Additional types of pre-determined outcomes can also be negotiated as long as they are directly linked to Settlement Program expected outcomes.

The exact amount paid for each performance expectation achieved will be based on a pre-determined rate, percentage or amount which will be researched, developed and negotiated as part of the funding agreement. In the pilot project, payments may be based on one or more of the performance expectations mentioned above.

In all cases, performance-based payments will reimburse recipients for eligible expenditures and the total amount of the contribution will not exceed eligible expenditures actually incurred. Performance-based payments will cover costs incurred to achieve expected outcomes and will not constitute a “bonus”.

The full cost of the contribution will only be paid to the recipient if 100% of the predetermined performance expectations are achieved. Contribution agreements will be of sufficient duration to include all performance expectations and allow for 100% recipient reimbursement.

Grant

8.8 Grants will be paid in installments unless the full amount is required to meet the objectives of the project.

8.9 There are no restrictions to the number of approved projects an eligible recipient may hold at any one time.

8.10 Both single year and multi-year projects may be funded, subject to program criteria and cycles.

8.11 Grants may be up to five years in duration.

9. Required Information from Applicant and Assessment Criteria

Application Requirements

9.1 The Department requires that an applicant requesting funding as an eligible recipient through its Settlement Program submit the following:

• A fully completed Application for Funding form with information including, but not limited to, the following: a description of planned activities; how these activities will contribute to the expected program results and needs that the project will address; an implementation plan demonstrating the capacity to deliver the proposed services; a reporting strategy; an evaluation plan; and a project budget which must contain information about all costs and funding for the project, including for individual years; and, information about funding partners, if applicable.
• The applicant’s proposed budget will include details about funding from other sources for the same activities or eligible costs associated with what is being asked of IRCC and, in the case of projects involving financial partners, letters confirming their contributions to the project
• The applicant’s latest annual report, if applicable
• The applicant’s recent financial statements (annual audited statements preferred)
• Documents (such as constitution, by-laws or articles of incorporation) demonstrating the applicant’s legal constitution or status (if applicable)
• Disclosure of the names of persons on the organization’s Board of Directors and of any former public servants associated with the proposal
• Any information deemed necessary to monitor and evaluate the proposal.
• Declare any amounts owing in default to the Government of Canada.

Note: Applicants must provide assurance that any person lobbying on their behalf is registered pursuant to the Lobbying Act.

Working in the public interest, Departmental officials may sit, as observers, on the boards or committees of recipient organizations to which the Department provides funding. The intent of this role would be to ensure that the recipient organization develops efficient and effective programs and policies consistent with the Government of Canada's priorities. Departmental officials will not exercise control over the boards or committees, nor will they exercise influence on their use of funds or receive supplementary remuneration for such activities. Departmental officials must respect and comply with the Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Code for Public Office Holders and the Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Code for the Public Service.

Additional Requirements for Grants

9.2 The Department will determine proposals most suitable for funding as a grant by considering factors such as:

• Low project risk determined by assessment of complexity and scope of activities.
• The applicant has sound capacity (strong financial and organizational capabilities).
• The applicant has previous relationship with IRCC and a good track record managing contributions.

10. Reporting Requirements

10.1 Recipients are required to report back to the Department, as indicated in their Contribution Agreement(s). Reporting may include submissions of claims for eligible costs, the submission of progress reports, and the completion of periodic and annual reports containing statistical and narrative information about results achieved against the Settlement Program objectives and outcomes.

Reporting by recipients may also involve the input of electronic data on clients and services delivered under the Settlement Program into a national database.

Recipients are to comply with instructions by the Department relating to performance measurement, research, evaluation, monitoring, and policy analysis of the Settlement Program, and facilitate access to their premises, program files and systems, as well as client contact information.

All reporting by recipients in support of the Department’s requirements with respect to performance measurement, research, evaluation, monitoring, and policy analysis must be satisfactory to the Department in terms of scope, detail, format and frequency in order to support the Performance Measurement Strategy and eventual evaluation for the Settlement Program.

Grant

10.2 The recipient must provide annual reports and/or progress reports on results achieved against the Settlement Program objectives. However, no financial reports are required for grants.

10.3 All reporting by recipients in support of the Department’s requirements with respect to performance measurement, research, evaluation, and policy analysis must be satisfactory to the Department in terms of scope, detail, format and frequency in order to support the Performance Measurement Strategy and eventual evaluation for the Settlement Program.

11. Stacking Limits

11.1 The Department requires that applicants disclose prior to the start of an agreement (and during the life cycle of an agreement, if applicable) all confirmed or potential sources of funding or in-kind participation for program activities and/or eligible costs when the Department’s contribution is in excess of $100,000. The Department may also request this disclosure when the Department's contribution is $100,000 or less.

11.2 Total Government Assistance from all sources (i.e. federal, provincial, municipal) shall be a maximum of 100% of eligible costs. Total Government Assistance includes grants, contributions, and any other assistance (e.g. non-monetary/in-kind contributions). If actual assistance exceeds this limit, the repayment of any amount exceeding the Total Government Assistance will be calculated on a pro-rated basis (based on Total Government Assistance received towards eligible costs).

12. Official Languages

12.1 The Settlement Program takes into consideration Canada’s commitment to official languages duality. As stated in IRPA, the Department is also committed to supporting and assisting the development of official language minority communities in Canada. Within the context of the Settlement Program, this commitment obliges the Department to ensure that substantive equality is achieved in the delivery of settlement services to official language minority communities where IRCC has jurisdiction for settlement.

When necessary, the different characteristics and circumstances of official language minority communities are to be taken into account, and adapted content and/or different delivery methods employed, to ensure that the minority population receives services of equal quality to the majority.

13. Repayable Contributions

This program does not require contributions to be repayable, as the Department does not intend to provide contributions for the purpose of generating profits or increasing the value of a business.

14. Redistribution of Contributions

Contribution

14.1 In projects involving the further distribution of the contribution by the recipient to a third party organization, the agreement will make clear that the recipient has independence in the choice of those organizations, with minimal guidance from the Department, and will not be acting as the agent for the government in making the distributions. Third party organizations must be chosen in accordance with contribution agreement requirements and recipients must share third party agreements with the Department upon request.

Grant

14.2 Grants will not be used for projects where funding provided to a recipient is to be further distributed to one or more persons or entities.

Annex to the terms and conditions of the settlement program for Racialized Newcomer Women Pilot

This Annex has been added to the Terms and Conditions of the Settlement Program on December 15, 2021. The provisions in this Annex supersede the corresponding, previously approved provisions of the Settlement Program terms and conditions only for the purposes and duration of the Racialized Newcomer Women Pilot.

1.0 Authority

The Racialized Newcomer Women Pilot is delivered under the same legal authorities set out in the Settlement Program Terms and Conditions.

Budget 2018 announced a three year pilot to support programming for newcomer women who are also members of visible minorities with $31.8 million over three years starting in 2018-2019.

Budget 2021 announced an extension to the pilot to support programming for racialized newcomer women with $15 million over two years starting in 2021-2022.

3.8 Eligible Clients

Only the following persons are eligible to receive settlement services under the Racialized Newcomer Women Pilot.

• women who are also members of a racialized minority and meet the same client criteria as the main program (and their dependants)

Duration

For the purposes of the Racialized Newcomer Women Pilot, this annex will expire on March 31, 2023.

Annex to the terms and conditions of the Settlement Program for Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Programming

This Annex has been added to the Terms and Conditions of the Settlement Program on December 9 2021. The provisions in this Annex supersede the corresponding, previously approved provisions of the Settlement Program terms and conditions only for the purposes and duration of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Programming.

Introduction

The modernized Youth Employment and Skills Strategy is an integrated skills development program – led by Employment and Social Development Canada – targeting youth aged 15 to 30, particularly those who are considered furthest from opportunity ^{Footnote 1}, to gain access to the information, skills and work experience they need to get good jobs.

The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy is divided into three program areas which are intended to provide Canadian youth with information, skills, supports, work experience and networks to help them prepare for and successfully transition to sustained employment: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program; Canada Summer Jobs; and Goal Getters. The objectives of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program are to help all youth navigate through the labour market and to successfully transition into sustained employment. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will support the delivery of Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Programming only.

For the purposes of delivering Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Programming under Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Settlement Program, the Department will support employment programming for newcomer youth to help them prepare for and access the Canadian labour market.

A formal partnership under the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy will leverage existing expertise in both Departments to better reach newcomer youth. As a new partner with one year of contributions funding, services under the Settlement Program will focus on the most vulnerable newcomer youth, who face additional employment barriers, through personalized employment supports.

All requirements from the Terms and Conditions for the Settlement Program apply to the Budget 2021 funding for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to support the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program, unless otherwise noted or modified below.

1.0 Authority

In addition to ongoing Settlement Program funding, Budget 2021 announced one year of funding for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to support programming for newcomer youth to navigate the labour market and successfully transition into sustained employment.

Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Programming is delivered under the same legal authorities set out in the main Settlement Program Terms and Conditions.

2.0 Purpose and Objective

For the purposes of delivering Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Programming under Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Settlement Program, the Department will help newcomer youth (ages 15-30) navigate the labour market and successfully transition into sustained employment. Program objectives are attained by supporting newcomer youth to develop skills, knowledge and networks through skills development and meaningful work experiences. This is aligned with existing Settlement Programming purpose and objective.

Performance Measurement Strategy (PM Strategy)

For the purposes of Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Settlement Programming only, IRCC agrees to report on the shared strategic outcome:

Youth, particularly youth facing barriers, access programs that allow them to acquire the skills, learning experience and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment or return to (or remain in) school.

Measured through the following short term outputs:

1. Number of youth served (Number of clients served between 15 to 30 years old based on age at the time service was delivered.
2. Percentage of youth served facing barriers to employment
3. Percentage of youth employed/self-employed

And the following intermediate outputs to be implemented in 2022-2023:

• Job readiness: Youth attain skills, knowledge, and support necessary to acquire employment
  • Indicator 1: # of youth who have demonstrated strengthened and/or new soft skills
• Acquire Employment: The attainment and retention of employment
  • Indicator 2: # of youth who completed a quality work placement

3.0 Eligible Services/Initiatives/Projects

Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Settlement Programming

Contribution

For the purposes of Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Settlement Programming, eligible services include only those activities that support the objectives of the strategy, including:

• Activities that support the development and use of tools and products for learning, skills development, career planning and career development;
• Service activities, which include but are not limited to outreach, client assessment, case management, career development information, and job search and job retention assistance;
• Activities designed to enable youth to acquire and enhance skills;
• Activities designed to provide work experiences; and
• Activities designed to provide mentoring and coaching.

For the purposes of Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Settlement Programming, funding in the form of grants is not permitted under the strategy.

For the purposes of Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Settlement Programming, eligible clients/participants means youth between the ages of 15-30 inclusive who meet the same client criteria as the Settlement Program (and their dependents).

4.0 Eligible Recipients

For the purposes of Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Settlement Programming, international organizations are not eligible recipients.

5.0 Determination of Contribution Amount

For the purposes of Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Settlement Programming, the provisions in the Settlement Program Terms and Conditions addressing small-scale projects to test leveraging, pay-for-performance, and elements of social finance (6.3) and performance expectations payments (6.4) will not apply.

For the purposes of Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Settlement Programming, the following additional factors will be considered when determining contribution amount:

• Scope and duration of activities to be carried out;
• Validation of reasonableness and fair market value of proposed expenditures;
• Importance of projected expenditures to success;
• Reasonableness of overall cost given projected outcomes.

6.0 Maximum Amount Payable

For the purposes of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Settlement Programming, the maximum contribution for any contribution agreement by type of eligible recipient shall not exceed the per year limits indicated in the Settlement Program Terms and Conditions, except in the case of educational institutions and municipal governments, where the maximum amount payable is $15,000,000 per year.

For the purposes of Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Settlement Programming, the maximum duration of funding under a contribution agreement will not exceed the duration of this annex. Financial support for successful projects and/or activities may be renewed on the basis of performance and results achieved.

7.0 Basis of Payment

For the purposes of Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Settlement Programming, payments will not be tied to the achievement of predetermined performance expectations (8.7).

8.0 Required Information from Applicant and Assessment Criteria

Application Requirements

For the purposes of Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Settlement Programming, the following additional item will be requested from applicants:

• Declare any amounts owing in default to the Government of Canada.

For clarity, applicants will be requested to disclose the involvement of former public servants who are under the Conflict of Interest and Post Employment Guidelines.

Annex

For the purposes of Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Settlement Programming, the Annex to the Terms and Conditions of Settlement Program for Base Payment + Premium Payment Structure will not apply.

Duration

For the purposes of the delivering Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Programming under Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Settlement Program, this annex will expire on March 31, 2023.