IRCC Deputy Minister Transition Binder 2019 – Departmental Overview (101)

Objective: To provide a high-level overview of Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada programs and operations.

On this page

1. Overview
2. Departmental Results
3. Core Responsibilities and Programs
4. Partners and Stakeholders
5. Operational Model
6. Communications Snapshot
7. Financial Snapshot
8. Annexes
   • Annex A: 2018 Immigration Levels
   • Annex B: The 2019 – 2021 Immigration Levels Plan
   • Annex C: Permanent Residents - Top Source Countries in 2018
   • Annex D: Partners and Stakeholders
   • Annex E: The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
   • Annex F: In-Canada Immigration and Citizenship Offices
   • Annex G: In-Canada Passport Offices
   • Annex H: Abroad Passport Service Delivery Network
   • Annex I: IRCC International Network

1. Overview

Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada’s programs have national and international impacts

Most Canadians will interact with Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada at some point in their lives, through the immigration system or the Passport Program. As a result, Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada has a stewardship responsibility for the personal information of approximately 80% of Canadians.

• The 176,444 persons who became new citizens in 2018 includes citizenship grants, resumptions, and adoptions.

Economy

• Immigrants made up 21.9% of Canada’s population in 2016 (Census 2016), and 23.8% of the labour force (Census 2016)
• International students contributed about $21.5 billion to the Canadian economy in 2018 (Global Affairs Canada, 2018)
• Monetary contribution of foreign visitors to Canada’s economy was $16.8 billion in 2016

Family and Society

• Canada is home to over 250 ethnic communities (Census 2016)
• In 2036, projections suggest immigrants could reach between 24.5% and 30% of Canada’s population (Statistics Canada, 2017)
• Canada reunited 85,179 family members in 2018 (spouses, dependants, parents and grandparents)

Security

• 66% of Canadians have a passport and approximately 3.6 million passports were issued in 2018 (many were the 10-year passports)
• Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada balances travel facilitation against health, safety, and national security risks
• Measures are in place to combat fraud and strengthen the integrity of Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada’s programs

Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada’s programs need to respond to national and global trends

Global migration patterns and demographics are changing

• The size of the global middle class is growing, while the cost of travel is falling
• Ongoing circular migration and south-to-south migration
• Immigration is an important source of labour for Canadians. Canadian school leavers account for 80% of new labour market entrants but the labour force would shrink without immigration

Safety and security threats are growing in significance and complexity

• Technological innovation has led to better information sharing and risk analytics, but also more sophisticated fraud
• Violent extremists are using social media to extend their reach
• Foreign fighters travel abroad and return home
• Infectious diseases evolve and emerge

The nature of work, the work place, and the labour market are being transformed

• Technology is becoming smarter, cheaper, and easier to use
  • this could lead to a period of jobless economic growth and more employment at lower wages
• In Canada, temporary work is growing at a faster pace than permanent positions.

Global forced displacement has reached historically high levels

• An unprecedented 70.8 million people around the world have been forcibly removed.
• Armed conflict remains a major driver of human insecurity.
• Forced displacement due to natural hazards (floods, storms, earthquakes) and the changing environment and climate is increasingly observed.
• Current global migration governance regime may no longer be adequate.

Canada is a world leader in managed immigration

• A measured and managed approach to facilitating migration.
• There are legal pathways to study, work and live in Canada:
  • Permanent residents - Foreign nationals who settle in Canada and may be eligible for citizenship
  • Temporary residents - Foreign nationals who visit, study, or work in Canada for a limited time
• Immigration Levels Plan is approved by Cabinet and tabled in Parliament every year, within the Multi-Year Levels Plan
• Economic immigrants selected based on high human capital (education, language, experience), or pre-arranged employment
• Targeted funding to support economic and social integration
• Pathways to citizenship with one of the highest global rates of acquisition (approximately 85%)
• Managing risk and program integrity; using enforcement effectively
• Strong public support for immigration
• The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) identifies Canada as a global leader in immigrant integration and second generation outcomes.
• 1 in 5 Canadians are born outside Canada.
• 45,758 Refugees and protected were admitted in 2018.
• 321,035 permanent residents (family, economic, and humanitarian) were admitted in 2018.
• 2,517,017 temporary resident visas, permits, and extensions (workers, visitors, students) were issued in 2018.
• There were 4 million new permanent residents (economic, family, and humanitarian) in the last 15 years (2004-2018).
• $1,231 million was spent on resettlement assistance program and settlement program for 2017-2018 (including transfer to Quebec and Operation Syria Refugee).
• 55,144 asylum claims in 2018, compared to 50,883 in 2017.
• $40.8 million was spent over five years to support official languages via the Action Plan for Official Languages 2018-2023
• Canada has received 19 million immigrants since Confederation.
• 24.8 million travel documents (e.g. passports) are in circulation.

Key Enabling Authorities

Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act

• Jurisdiction over immigration is shared between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments under section 95 of the Constitution Act, 1867, while citizenship is the responsibility of the federal government.
• Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada is also bound by international law, such as United Nations’ Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (1951).

Immigration and Refugee Protection Act

• Immigration to Canada
• Refugee protection
• Enforcement
• Immigration and Refugee Board
• Co-administered with the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Citizenship Act

• Acquisition of citizenship
• Resumption of citizenship
• Loss of citizenship

Canadian Passport Order & Diplomatic and Special Passport Order

• Administration
• Interpretation
• Issuance of passports
• Cancellation, refusal, and revocation
• Co-administered with the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Act (Royal Assent June 2019)

• Statutory framework governing regulation of immigration and citizenship consultants

Ministerial Tools

Ministerial Instructions

Special instructions to support immigration goals. They have been used to: limit intake of applications; establish rules associated with Express Entry; pause visa processing, and create small-scale pilot programs (up to 2,750 applications and in effect for up to five years).

Public Policy Provision

Discretionary ministerial tool to overcome any requirements of legislation, based on criteria and conditions set by the Minister. Used to address a variety of situations such as crises, natural disasters (e.g. response to earthquake in Haiti), humanitarian issues (e.g. vulnerable minorities and persons in refugee-like situations), or others.

Organizational Structure

Text version: Organizational Structure

Immigration and Refugee Board

• Chairperson - Richard Wex
  • Portfolio Organization

Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction

• Minister - Bill Blair

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

• Minister - Ahmed Hussen
  • Deputy Minister - Catrina Tapley
  • Associate Deputy Minister - Lori MacDonald
    • Conflict Resolution – Robyn Hollard-Ayoub
    • Communications – David Hickey
    • Senior General Counsel – Caroline Fobes
    • Internal Audit – Mieke Bos
    • Corporate Management ADM and CFO – Daniel Mills
    • Transformation and Digital Solutions ADM and CIO – Zaina Sovani
    • Operations Sector
      • ADM – Harpreet S Kochar
      • Associate ADM – Mike MacDonald
    • Strategic and Program Policy Sector
      • ADM (TBD)
      • Associate ADM – Natasha Kim
    • Settle and Integration Sector ADM – Fraser Valentine

2. Departmental Results

Departmental Results Framework and Program Inventory

The Departmental Results Framework and Program Inventory represent the cornerstone of IRCC’s results and delivery regime and is a new way to manage our programs.

Core Responsibilities (What We Do)

Visitors, International Students and Temporary Workers

Departmental Results (Why We Do It)

• Entry to Canada of eligible visitors, International students and temporary workers is facilitated
• Facilitation of temporary entry helps to generate economic benefits

Program Inventory (How We Deliver)

• Visitors
• International Students
• Temporary Workers

Immigrant and Refugee Selection and Integration

Departmental Results (Why We Do It)

• Potential permanent residents are selected for immigration to Canada
• Permanent residents are welcomed and benefit from settlement supports
• Immigrants and refugees achieve economic independence and contribute to labour force growth
• Immigrants and refugees feel part of and participate in Canadian society

Program Inventory (How We Deliver)

• Federal Economic Immigration
• Provincial Economic Immigration
• Family Reunification
• Humanitarian/Compassionate and Discretionary Immigration
• Refugee Resettlement
• Asylum
• Settlement

Citizenship and Passports

Departmental Results (Why We Do It)

• Eligible permanent residents become Canadian citizens
• Canadians’ international travel is facilitated

Program Inventory (How We Deliver)

• Citizenship
• Passport

Departmental Results Define What IRCC Aims to Achieve

Visitors, International Students, and Temporary Workers

1. Entry to Canada of eligible visitors, international students, and temporary workers is facilitated.
2. Facilitation of temporary entry helps to generate economic benefits.

Immigrant and Refugee Selection and Integration

3. Potential permanent residents are selected for immigration to Canada.
4. Permanent residents are welcomed and benefit from settlement supports.
5. Immigrants and refugees achieve economic independence and contribute to labour force growth.
6. Immigrants and refugees feel part of and participate in Canadian society.

Citizenship and Passport

7. Eligible permanent residents become Canadian citizens.
8. Canadians’ international travel is facilitated.

3. Core Responsibilities/Program Inventory

Visitors, International Students, and Temporary Workers

Visitors

People travelling for business or leisure. Some are required to obtain a temporary resident visa (visitor visa) to travel to Canada or an Electronic Travel Authorization, which is in place for visa-exempt air travellers.

Parent and Grandparent Supervisa: A temporary resident permit for stays in Canada for up to 2 years at a time, allowing multiple entries, for a period up to 10 years.

2018 Temporary Resident visas approved: 1,676,645

International Students

Foreign nationals are required to obtain a study permit before engaging in education or training that is more than six months in duration.

2018 Study permits: 356,876

Data is based on the date on which an issued work permit becomes effective.

Temporary Workers

Temporary Foreign Worker stream

Employers can hire foreign workers to fill shortages when qualified Canadians are not available. This must be verified through a Labour Market Impact Assessment from Employment and Social Development Canada.

2018 Temporary Foreign Worker Program: 84,229

Data is based on the date on which an issued work permit becomes effective.

International Mobility stream

Temporary work permits that do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment, issued when there are benefits for Canada, including through the North American Free Trade Agreement and International Experience Canada, facilitating youth mobility.

2018 International Mobility Program: 255,034

Data is based on the date on which an issued work permit becomes effective.

Immigrant and Refugee Selection and Integration

Federal Economic Immigration

Federal High Skilled – Express Entry

Express Entry: An electronic system used to manage applications for permanent residence in some federal economic streams and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program. Those with the highest scores are invited to apply for permanent residence.

This category consists of three immigration programs:

1. Federal Skilled Workers: Selected on the basis of having skilled work experience and high human capital. Applicants awarded points based on criteria such as age, language, and education.
2. Federal Skilled Tradespersons: People with a job offer or Canadian qualifications in certain skilled trades may be eligible for permanent residence if they have sufficient language proficiency, training, and work experience in a trade.
3. Canadian Experience Class: For applicants who have at least one year’s work experience in a skilled occupation in Canada and who have the official language proficiency to remain in Canada permanently.

2018 Admissions: 75,606
2019 Planned Admissions: 81,400
2020 Planned Admissions: 85,800
2021 Planned Admissions: 88,800

Federal Business Immigration

This category includes two immigration programs:

1. Start-Up Visa: The Start-up Visa Program, made permanent in April 2018, provides permanent residence to innovative entrepreneurs with the potential to build high-growth start-ups in Canada that can compete on a global scale
2. Self-Employed Program: Targets self-employed persons with the experience and ability to contribute significantly to the cultural and athletic life of Canada.

2018 Admissions: 757
2019 Planned Admissions: 700
2020 Planned Admissions: 700
2021 Planned Admissions: 700

Caregivers

In June 2019, two new 5-year pilot programs – the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker classes – will replace the expiring 2014 pilots.

From March 4-June 4, 2019, the Interim Pathway for Caregivers will provide a short-term exceptional pathway for caregivers in Canada who do not qualify for permanent residence through other programs.

2018 Admissions: 17,851
2019 Planned Admissions: 14,000
2020 Planned Admissions: 5,000
2021 Planned Admissions: TBD

Note: includes applications received under the former Live-in Caregiver program, which was closed to new application in November 2014.

Regional Economic Immigration

Provincial Nominees

Provinces and territories can nominate individuals for permanent residence based on regional needs, including those of employers, and on an individual’s ability to economically establish themselves.

Express Entry manages a portion of Provincial Nominee Program applications.

2018 Admissions: 62,427
2019 Planned Admissions: 61,000
2020 Planned Admissions: 67,800
2021 Planned Admissions: 71,300

Quebec Skilled Workers and Quebec Business Immigration

Under the Canada-Quebec Accord, Quebec has full responsibility for the selection of immigrants (except Family Class and in-Canada refugee claimants), as well as the sole responsibility for delivering integration services, supported by an annual grant from the federal government.

2018 Admissions: 28,332
2019 Planned Admissions: TBD
2020 Planned Admissions: TBD
2021 Planned Admissions: TBD

Economic Pilots

Atlantic Immigration

A three-year pilot launched in 2017.

In 2019, the Minister announced a two-year extension to provide additional time to assess pilot outcomes and support economic growth and retention in the region.

2018 Admissions: 1,409
2019 Planned Admissions: 2,000
2020 Planned Admissions: 4,000
2021 Planned Admissions: TBD

Rural and Northern

Five-year pilot announced in 2019 to help rural and northern communities in Canada attract and retain foreign workers to meet the economic development needs of the community.

Admissions targets will be set and detailed beginning in the 2020 levels plan.

Agri-Food

Announced in Budget 2019, IRCC will launch a three-year pilot to support Canada’s agri-food sector by bringing in full-time, non-seasonal agricultural workers with a pathway to permanent residency.

2,750 principal applicants per year (plus family members). Over the course of the pilot, up to 16,500 admissions possible.

Family Reunification

Spouses, Partners, and Children

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, or dependent children to immigrate to Canada.

International adoptions require a legal adoption as well as the immigration or citizenship process to live in Canada.

2018 Admissions: 67,173
2019 Planned Admissions: 68,000
2020 Planned Admissions: 70,000
2021 Planned Admissions: 70,000

Parents and Grandparents

Citizens and permanent residents are able to sponsor parents or grandparents to come to Canada as permanent residents, as long as they can provide for their parent or grandparent’s essential needs.

Parents and grandparents can apply for a multiple-entry visa, which is valid for ten years and allows them to remain in Canada for up to 24 months at a time, without the need to renew their status (not a pathway to permanent residence).

2018 Admissions: 18,026
2019 Planned Admissions: 20,500
2020 Planned Admissions: 21,000
2021 Planned Admissions: 21,000

Humanitarian/Compassionate & Discretionary Immigration

Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) considerations, and Public Policies, are discretionary tools that provide the Minister with the authority to grant permanent resident status, or an exemption from requirements of the Act or Regulations, to those who would not otherwise qualify in an immigration class.

Allows flexibility in deserving and exceptional cases not anticipated in the legislation.

2018 Admissions: 3,746

Includes admissions of persons selected on H&C grounds for reasons of public policy and in the permit holder class.

2019 Planned Admissions: 4,250
2020 Planned Admissions: 4,500
2021 Planned Admissions: 5,000

Refugee Resettlement

Resettlement Assistance provides immediate support services and income support to Government-Assisted Refugees (for up to one year) and Blended Visa Office-Referred refugees (for up to six months) after arrival in Canada.

The Interim Federal Health Program provides limited, temporary health care coverage for resettled refugees and asylum claimants until eligibility for provincial health care coverage is in effect.

Immigration Loans are available to provide financial assistance to foreign nationals, permanent residents, convention refugees, and members of humanitarian-protected persons abroad classes, in order to cover costs primarily associated with travel to Canada. IRCC has the authority to issue up to $110 million.

Government-Assisted Refugees

Persons outside Canada determined to be Convention refugees and referred by the United Nations Refugee Agency or other referral organizations, who receive immediate support services and income support from the federal government up to one year after arrival in Canada.

2018 Admissions: 8,156
2019 Planned Admissions: 9,300
2020 Planned Admissions: 10,700
2021 Planned Admissions: 10,700

Blended Visa Office-Referred Refugees

Convention refugees who are referred by the United Nations Refugee Agency are matched with private sponsors and receive a blend of government and private financial support.

Many refugees sponsored under this program are travel-ready and arrive in Canada within one to four months.

2018 Admissions: 1,157
2019 Planned Admissions: 1,650
2020 Planned Admissions: 1,000
2021 Planned Admissions: 1,000

Privately Sponsored Refugees

Convention or country of asylum class refugees outside Canada who receive financial and other support from a private sponsor for up to one year after arrival in Canada. Private sponsors include Sponsorship Agreement Holders, Groups of Five individuals, or Community Sponsors.

2018 Admissions: 18,763
2019 Planned Admissions: 19,000
2020 Planned Admissions: 20,000
2021 Planned Admissions: 20,000

Protected Persons & Dependents Abroad (Asylum)

Asylum claimants who are determined to be a Convention Refugee or a person in need of protection by the Immigration and Refugee Board; or, in certain cases, the Minister allows an application for protection. Admissions are those successful claimants who have been granted permanent residence.

2018 Admissions: 17,682
2019 Planned Admissions: 16,500
2020 Planned Admissions: 18,000
2021 Planned Admissions: 20,000

Settlement

Settlement Services

Permanent residents and protected persons are eligible for settlement services pre- and post-arrival:

• Information and orientation sessions;
• Needs assessments and referrals to social, economic, education, and health services;
• Language training;
• Employment-related services, including work placements and counselling;
• Community engagement and community partnerships.

In 2018-19, settlement services were provided to over 520,000 clients in Canada and abroad.

Recent key accomplishments in the Settlement Program:

• Launched a comprehensive settlement / resettlement Call for Proposals covering programming over the next 5 years ($4 billion –2020-21 through 2025-26)
• Shared national vision incorporated in the National Call for Proposals
• Enhanced federal-provincial-territorial cooperation and co-planning to better support client needs
• Streamlining of pre-arrival services
• Visible Minority Newcomer Women Pilot to address barriers to their employment and career advancement
• Announced Francophone Immigration Strategy
• Obtained Treasury Board authority to use grants
• Reduced priority clients waiting for language training
• Working to reduce administrative burden on SPOs and internally to IRCC through the Program Management ‘reset’
• Launched the first annual Settlement Client Outcomes Survey and Newcomer Outcomes Survey

Service Providers

Settlement services are administered by service-providing organizations, which receive funding through a competitive call for proposals.

In 2019-2020, more than $779 million of settlement funding was allocated to more than 500 service providers across Canada (excluding Quebec), representing nearly 45% of the departmental budget (excluding Budget 2019). In 2018-19, the Quebec grant was $559.4 million.

Under the terms of the Canada-Quebec Accord, Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada provides a grant to Quebec ($559.4 million in 2018-19) for reception services, and linguistic, cultural, and economic integration services.

The National Call for Proposals 2019 for Settlement Program and Resettlement Assistance Program opened February 2019. After a thorough review of the proposals received, 824 projects have been selected to deliver services that are client-centred, outcomes-driven and responsive to needs and that use resources effectively. Funding for approved projects is expected to begin on April 1, 2020, and end by March 31, 2025.

Citizenship and Passport

Citizenship

Awareness

• Enhance the meaning of Canadian citizenship for both newcomers and existing citizens, increasing a sense of belonging to Canada.
• Departmental officials, as well as citizenship judges, who are appointed on the recommendation of the Minister, promote citizenship awareness.

Eligibility

• Citizenship applicants must meet requirements set out in the Citizenship Act to be eligible for citizenship, including: demonstrated knowledge of Canada, language ability, residence requirement, filing income tax returns as required, etc.

Acquisition

• Citizenship may be acquired through birth on soil, by descent, or by naturalization (by grant).
• In 2018, 176,444 persons became new Canadian citizens (naturalization). Includes citizenship grants, resumptions, and adoptions.

Loss

• Canadian citizens may renounce their citizenship.
• Citizenship may be revoked from naturalized Canadians if obtained as a result of fraud, false representation, or knowingly concealing material circumstances.
• Citizenship certificates may be recalled where the holder is not entitled to them.

Passport

The Minister of Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship has sole authority for decisions on passport cancellation, refusal, and revocation; the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness has sole authority for cases related to terrorism and national security.

Issuance

• Issuance of secure travel documents to Canadians, which facilitates their travel and contributes to international and domestic security.
• In 2018-2019, IRCC issued approximately 3 million passports.

Service Delivery

• Collaboration with Service Canada (in Canada) and Global Affairs Canada (abroad) for the delivery of routine citizenship and passport services

IRCC also handles:

• Special and diplomatic passports to those travelling for official or diplomatic purposes
• Travel documents to non-Canadians
• Complex passport applications

Security

• Maintain Canadian passport security and integrity through the authentication of identity and entitlement
• Cancel, refuse, revoke, and impose a period of refusal of passport services (e.g. in cases of detected fraud, misuse, or misrepresentation)

Service Standards in Canada

Service standards do not include mailing time.

• In-person/Pick-up: 10 days
• By mail: 20 days
• Via receiving agent: 20 days
• Urgent service: next day
• Express Service: 2-9 days

Service Standards Outside of Canada

Service standards do not include mailing time

• Regular application: 20 days
• Temporary passport: less than 20 days
• Emergency travel document: less than 20 days

4. Partners and Stakeholders

Key Federal Partners

Economic Migration and Integration

Employment and Social Development Canada

• Key domestic policy partner
• Conducts Labour Market Impact Assessments
• Leads federal foreign credential recognition efforts
• Administers the Job Bank
• Through Service Canada - Delivers passport services on behalf of IRCC.

Service Delivery

Global Affairs Canada

• Key foreign policy partner
• Operates missions and supports Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada’s international presence
• Delivers citizenship and passport services abroad on behalf of IRCC

Service Canada

• Delivers passport services on behalf of Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada

Health, Safety and Security

Public Health Agency of Canada

• Administers the Quarantine Act
• Health screening and monitoring

Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction

• Leads on irregular migration and the Safe Third Country Agreement.

Canadian Heritage

• Official Languages
• Plan d’action pour les langues officielles
• Multiculturalism policy

Public Safety Canada

• Renders cancellation, refusal, and revocation decisions for passport cases related to terrorism and national security

Canada Border Services Agency

• Main co-delivery partner for the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
• Manages the flow of travelers at Canadian ports of entry
• Provides intelligence
• Prevents irregular migration
• Provides immigration enforcement
• Removes persons who are in Canada and are found to be inadmissible

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

• Shares information to combat terrorism and organized crime
• Attends citizenship ceremonies
• Combats human trafficking

Canadian Security and Intelligence Service

• Conducts security screening
• Shares information to combat terrorism

Rural Economic Development

• Supports pilot programming to encourage more new Canadians to settle in rural Canada.

Provinces and Territories

• Immigration is a shared federal, provincial, and territorial jurisdiction under the Constitution, with federal paramountcy in case of disputes. This arrangement is reflected in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and bilateral immigration agreements.
• Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Ministers meet annually to discuss the management of the Immigration Program. The Federal-Provincial-Territorial Vision Action Plan for Immigration, which was agreed to in 2012, is a mutual commitment to welcoming and supporting newcomers.
• Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada works closely with provincial and territorial governments on matters such as levels setting, immigrant selection, and settlement and integration.
• [redacted]
  • A number of provinces (ON, QC, BC and MB) have sought financial support for costs from increased asylum claims (housing, social assistance, education, legal aid). The Federal government committed up to $474 million for sharing extraordinary interim housing costs incurred in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
  • The Interim Housing Assistance Program was established to provide financial support to affected provinces and, if necessary, to municipal governments. To date, deals have been reached with Manitoba ($5M in June 2019, in addition to $3M provided in June 2018) and British Columbia ($6M in May 2019) to address costs associated with temporary housing for asylum claimants. Funding has also been provided to key Ontario municipalities.
• Under the Canada-Quebec Accord (1991), Quebec is responsible for establishing economic immigration programs and for selecting immigrants under those programs as well as resettled refugees. Quebec advises on the number of immigrants it wishes to receive.

Canada’s Leadership in Global Migration

UN Global Compacts

In December 2018, Canada joined consensus with the majority of UN members, adopting the Global Compacts for Migration and on Refugees, two non-legally binding global frameworks that seek to advance cooperation on managing migration and refugee flows.

Canada’s Chairmanships in 2019-2020

Canada is assuming leadership as chair of the following forums: Migration 5 (M5), Annual Tripartite Consultations on Resettlement (ATCR), Intergovernmental Consultations on Migration, Asylum and Refugees (IGC). In addition, Canada is on the Bureau for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Working Party on Migration.

Key partnerships

Canada-U.S. Relationship

Canada engages on issues relating to border management, information sharing and joint activities to deter irregular migration into the North American perimeter. In recent years, the relationship has been shaped by significant flows of irregular migration coming into Canada through the Canada-U.S. border.

Canada-Mexico Relationship

Canada’s key engagement with Mexico is through the Canada-Mexico High Level Dialogue on Mobility. [redacted]

Migration 5 (M5)

Canada engages in the Migration 5 (M5) forum as the key space in which to collaborate with the U.S, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, on joint priorities such as asylum system issues, information sharing and client experience.

International Organization on Migration (IOM)

The IOM is a key delivery agent for IRCC migration-related programs, including conducting health examinations, supporting the transportation of refugees and other protected persons to Canada, delivering the Canadian Orientation Abroad Program, and providing care to those intercepted abroad as irregular migrants as part of the Global Assistance for Irregular Migration Program.

United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR)

IRCC relies on the UNHCR to identify the most vulnerable refugees around the world and provide referrals under our Government Assisted Refugee and Blended Visa-Officer Referred refugee streams.

Canada’s Capacity Building Investment

Canada’s International Migration Capacity Building Program

Canada’s International Migration Capacity Building Program allows Canada to engage with key partners to strengthen migration management systems internationally, and influence the global discourse on international migration.

Canada’s Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative (GRSI)

In collaboration with the UNHCR, the Open Society Foundation, the University of Ottawa, and the Giustra Foundation, GRSI shares Canada’s experience in private sponsorship of refugees (PSR) with other countries and encourages adoption of the model around the world. The UK, Argentina, New Zealand, Ireland, Spain, and Germany have launched sponsorship programs with GRSI assistance. [redacted].

5. Operational Model

Health, Safety and Security

Objective: Manage the movement of people, while protecting the health, safety, and security of all Canadians.

Health and Security

Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada balances travel facilitation and risk management and works closely with partners to secure Canada’s borders and protect Canadians from harm.

Security, criminality, and crimes against humanity screening is performed with support of public safety government partners.

Health screening and monitoring is done in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada, and provincial and territorial public health authorities.

Support for the Global Assistance for Irregular Migrants Program helps combat human trafficking.

Program Integrity

Program integrity is ensured through identifying applicants who fail to meet eligibility and/or admissibility requirements and refusing status accordingly.

Identity Management

• Client identity is managed based on personal identifiers, identity documents, and biometric identifiers.

Document management

• Temporary Resident Visas are issued to individuals from medium and high risk countries to facilitate access to Canada.
• As of March 2016, all foreign nationals from countries exempt from a Temporary Resident Visa need to get an Electronic Travel Authorization before travelling to Canada (excluding United States nationals).

Inadmissibility

Foreign nationals screened for a range of inadmissibilities:

• Security (inc. terrorism, espionage)
• Human/International Rights violations (inc. war crimes)
• Involvement in organized crime
• Criminality inside and outside Canada
• Health (e.g. danger to public health or public safety, excessive demand on health/social services)
• Financial reasons
• Inadmissible family member
• Misrepresentation
• Non-compliance with Act

Operational Network

Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada operations are guided by four Service Excellence in Action principles:

• Innovation
• Risk
• Client Service
• Confidence

Work is shared across its four operational networks:

• International
• Central
• Domestic
• Settlement, with front-office support provided through alternative service delivery arrangements

In-Canada

Domestic and Settlement Office

• The 24 offices handle decision-making on complex in-Canada cases, as well as routine cases (e.g. citizenship, Humanitarian & Compassionate), manage contracts with settlement service providers, and provide domestic place-based services (e.g. citizenship tests and ceremonies, landings, client interviews, and refugee intake.

Passport

• On behalf of IRCC, Service Canada operates 34 in-person passport offices and 2 mail processing centres, and also offers passport intake services at 315 Service Canada centres.
• IRCC operates one additional office that issues diplomatic and special passports, and travel documents to eligible non-Canadians.

Case Processing Centres

• Sydney, Ottawa, Mississauga, and Edmonton: Centralized intake and processing for high volume business activities and low-risk applications.

Operations Support Centre (Gatineau)

• 24/7 operation which ensures data integrity in the Global Case Management System by updating and correcting applications and client records.
• Processes select Temporary Resident applications.
• Responsible for integrity operations for the passport program, including facial recognition, as well as a passport delivery office that issues diplomatic and special passports, and travel documents to eligible non-Canadians.

Client Support Centre (Montreal)

• Answers client inquires and responds to representations from Members of Parliaments and their constituency offices.

Resettlement Operations Centre (Ottawa)

• Assesses sponsorship applications for privately-sponsored refugees, determines final destinations for government-assisted refugees, issues notifications of arrival transmissions for all resettlement streams, and supports blended visa office-referred processing.

Overseas

Missions abroad

• Deliver Canada’s immigration program abroad at 60 overseas offices. Migration officers process applications across all IRCC business lines, delivering approximately 43% of the PR target and 70% of all TR processing. Migration officers make decisions on complex cases requiring local knowledge and provide international place-based services including client interviews, liaison and reporting, promotion and recruitment, quality assurance, and Migration Diplomacy, advancing Canada’s objectives with respect to international migration.
• Deliver Canada’s Citizenship program abroad.
• Deliver Canadian passport services at 212 locations abroad in 148 countries

Visa Application Centres (VACs)

• Third party service providers that provide assistance and accept applications for a fee for temporary resident applications, and travel documents for permanent residents. VACs also provide biometrics collection services. There are currently 153 VACs located in 104 countries, which will increase to at least 158 VACs in 106 countries by November 2019, as well as a network of 133 Application Support Centres (ASC) in the USA which only provide biometric collection services.

Private sector partners

There are also private sector partners who provide services to clients for application purposes, including:

• Panel physicians
• Language assessment agencies
• Educational credential assessment agencies

Improving the Way IRCC Delivers Services and Supports Clients

IRCC processes and manages millions of applications and interactions with clients every year. In recent years, the Department has increased its focus on the quality of client’s service experience, and reducing processing times, in order to be more responsive to client needs and expectations.

Objective: Enhance client experience through building a welcoming service and support culture, developing client-centric and digitally-enabled services, and improving Canadians’ and clients’ confidence in IRCC service delivery.

Client Experience

In 2017, IRCC created a Client Experience Branch to bring together departmental capacity on developing insights into our clients’ service experiences.

As well as overseeing the Client Support Centre in Montreal and the departmental service strategy, Client Experience Branch includes experts in human-centered design, behavioural insights (e.g. nudge trials) and service experimentation.

• IRCC sources of insight into the client experience include:
• Annual client satisfaction surveys
• Client Support Centre data e.g. on reasons for calls
• Direct feedback from clients received through the online client feedback webform
• Results of program-specific human-centered design projects and nudge trials

IRCC also has a 2019-2022 Service Strategy to oversee departmental efforts to address top client pain points.

Client Support

The Department’s Client Support Centre provides support for IRCC applicants residing in Canada across three support channels: by telephone, by email and through the Information Centre for Members of Parliament and Senators (ICMPS).

Budget 2019 provided IRCC with $42.9 million over two years, beginning in 2019–20 to increase the number of agents at the Client Support Centre and expand hours of operation at the Client Support Centre (starting in 2020) and some IRCC offices in Canada.

Other improvements to client support currently underway or planned include [redacted].

IRCC also responds to social media enquiries and is currently piloting a chat bot (Quaid) to help clients with requests for general information.

Transforming and improving the way IRCC does business

IRCC’s current systems were built for the past (mainly paper-based interactions with clients) but not for the future. Transformative changes are required to ensure IRCC can successfully manage increasingly larger application and asylum volumes outpacing capacity; new and evolving security threats to Canada; and IRCC clients demanding a better client experience.

Objective: Become a world leader in migration in order to maximize the benefits of our programs for our clients and for Canadians by focusing on transforming areas of Client Service, Operational Excellence, and Program Integrity.

Vision

• We deliver modern, reliable and innovative digital services that enable IRCC to build a stronger Canada.
• We are a trusted business partner that operates with flexibility, openness, and discipline.
• We provide the technology and the advanced thinking that assures IRCC’s future.

Service Transformation and IM/IT Strategy

IRCC Service Transformation

Key focus areas for transformation of service delivery:

1. Optimizing current processes by leveraging Lean methods
2. Transforming client interactions through Agile Digital client journeys which fundamentally redesign how a client interacts with IRCC
3. Establishing enterprise agility through the implementation of modern technologies, reskilling our workforce and changing how we behave

IM/IT Strategy & Roadmap Project

Four Strategic Pillars to achieve the IM/IT future state:

• People: a skilled, adaptable, strategic workforce empowered to problem solve and committed to continuous improvement
• Client Centric Operating Model: a redefined service delivery enabled through meaningful relationships
• Flexible Technology: a focus on integrated IM/IT architecture design and innovative solution delivery options
• Operational Excellence: A commitment to best practices, performance monitoring and measurement, and continuous improvement

6. Communications

Public Opinion on immigrants

Support for immigration remains broadly stable at 54%, but in the context of increased levels allocations, we note that a full quarter of Canadians think levels are already too high.

Broad agreement with benefits of immigration:

• positive impact on Canada (67%)
• positive economic impact (77%)
• makes Canadian culture stronger (65%)

Public opinion on the number of immigrations coming to Canada

Text version: Public opinion on the number of immigrations coming to Canada

Month	Number of immigrants coming to Canada is About Right	Number of immigrants coming to Canada is Too Few	Number of immigrants coming to Canada is Too Many
January 1996	42%	6%	46%
September 1996	44%	7%	46%
June 1997	47%	8%	41%
October 1998	49%	9%	38%
October 1999	49%	8%	40%
October 2000	51%	14%	33%
September 2001	47%	11%	36%
December 2002	44%	11%	36%
December 2003	43%	12%	39%
December 2004	49%	18%	29%
November 2005	48%	15%	30%
November 2006	48%	15%	28%
March 2007	55%	13%	27%
January 2009	50%	14%	26%
March 2010	54%	13%	23%
February 2012	51%	10%	30%
December 2012	53%	11%	27%
February 2014	52%	10%	26%
September 2014	52%	12%	26%
January 2016	58%	12%	16%
August 2016	52%	16%	23%
August 2017	52%	16%	27%
March 2018	55%	14%	27%
August 2018	49%	13%	28%
March 2019	54%	15%	24%

Public opinion on refugees

Views on levels of refugees generally mirror views on asylum seekers. Support for Government Assisted Refugees is higher. When Canadians think about refugees, they tend to think of asylum seekers. In focus groups, they question whether Canada has the resources (social/public services & infrastructure) to support the number of refugees that we do.

#ImmigrationMatters

• Campaign launched in November 2018 and targets Canadians neither strongly in favour nor strongly opposed to immigration.
• Goal is to maintain confidence in the immigration system, show benefits of immigration locally, dispel myths about immigration and promote positive engagement between immigrants and Canadians.
• Storytelling complemented by facts:
  • website with videos, articles & facts about economic, health, IT, science, cultural benefits
  • 200K visits to site
  • videos viewed 38,000+ times
  • 32,000+ engagements across all social media platforms
• Collaborations to amplify content: partners who tell their stories and help us reach the general public: Canadian Football League; National Hockey League; Restaurants Canada; Canadian airports
• Community conversations: 20+ city profiles to show economic impact of immigration locally; working with municipalities and local stakeholders (Local Immigration Partnerships, Service Provider Organizations, Chambers, etc.) to lead and support community conversation townhalls and encourage discussions

7. Financial Snapshot: 2019-2020 Reference Levels

Authorities to date include 2019-2020 Main Estimates and approved B2019 Items:

• Asylum/Border Integrity
• Client Service
• TRs
• IFH
• Canada's New International Education Strategy

Budget 2019 investments will be covered by the accumulated surplus to date ($2.9 billion).

2019-20 Budget by Vote (Total $2,978.1M)

Text version: 2019-2020 Budget by Vote (Total $2,987.1 M)

Vote 1 – Operating Expenditures (includes International Experience Canada): 36%

Vote 5 – Capital Expenditures: 1%

Vote 10 – Grants and Contributions: 60%

Statutory: 3%

*Excludes Passport Program funds

Permanent resident, temporary resident, and citizenship fees are remitted to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

Vote 10: Grants and Contributions

Total $1,788.1 M

Grants

• Canada Quebec Grant: $559.4 M
• Interim Housing Assistance Program: $324.0 M
• Migration Policy Development: $4.0 M
• Grant for the Settlement Program: $1.0 M

Contributions

• Settlement Program: $787.8 M
• Resettlement Assistance Program: $106.7 M
• Global Assistance to Irregular Migrants : $3.0 M
• International Organization for Migration: $2.2 M

Revenue re-spending authorities

International Experience Canada (Total $9.9M) Net Vote Revenue

• 39% Personnel
• 61% Operating

Passport Revolving Fund Planned Gross Expenditures: $449.8M

Planned revenues are $270.9M resulting in draw from the accumulated surpluses estimated at $178.9M for 2019-20. [redacted]

• 17% Personnel
• 63% Operating

Annexes

Annex A: 2018 Immigration Levels

2018 Admissions by Category

Total admissions: 321,035

2018–2020 Immigration Levels Plan

• In fall 2017, for the first time in more than 15 years, the Government of Canada adopted a multi-year levels plan.
• A longer planning horizon helps all partners better prepare for future admissions and reflects a commitment to a well-managed system.
• The 2018–2020 immigration levels plan established a target of 310,000 permanent residents in 2018, increasing to 330,000 in 2019 and 340,000 in 2020. Preliminary data indicates that IRCC surpassed the 2018 target, but was within range, with 321,121 permanent residents coming to Canada.
• The plan balances Canada’s economic needs with the Government’s commitment to reunite families and offer protection to those in need, while maintaining our fiscal responsibilities.
• This measured, gradual increase in levels year-over-year will trend towards 1% of the population, one of the highest such proportions in the world.
• Preliminary 2018 admissions data indicates that IRCC surpassed the 2018 target, but was within range, with 321,121 permanent residents coming to Canada.

Annex B: The 2019 – 2021 Immigration Levels Plan

• The Government of Canada renewed a multi-year levels plan for 2019 to 2021.
• This plan builds on the target of 310,000 in 2018 by increasing the number of new permanent residents welcomed to Canada, beginning with an increase to 330,800 in 2019, 341,000 in 2020, and 350,000 in 2021. These are the most ambitious immigration levels in recent history.

This plan increases admissions over three years:

• Supporting economic growth, help spur innovation, and help employers address labour market needs across the country.
• Approx. 60% of the increase in levels is in economic programs.
• Planning for the future and help address demographic challenges related to an aging population.
• Creating the space needed to reduce backlogs and decrease processing times, such as for families.
• Demonstrating leadership in a rules-based international migration environment – openness to trade, talent, and protecting those in need.

2019-2020 Multi-year levels plan compared to 2017 & 2018

Annex C: Permanent Residents - Top Source Countries in 2018

Annex D: Partners and Stakeholders

The following examples are not intended to be exhaustive.

Federal Government

Primary partners

• Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction
• Canada Border Services Agency
• Employment and Social Development Canada
• Global Affairs Canada
• Immigration Refugee Board
• Public Safety Canada
• Rural Economic Development
• Service Canada

Other partners

• Canada Post
• Canadian Heritage
• Canadian Security Intelligence Service
• Health Canada
• Innovation, Science & Economic Development Canada
• Justice Canada
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Provinces and Territories

Primary partners

• Educational Institutions
• Ministries involved with education, labour market development and Immigration
• Vital Statistics Agencies
• Municipalities

Other partners

• Regulatory Bodies
• Public Health Authorities

International

Primary partners

• International Organization for Migration
• United Nations Refugee Agency
• Five Country Partners (Canada, US, UK, New Zealand, Australia)

Other partners

• Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
• World Health Organization
• Regional Conference for Migration

Service Providers

Primary partners

• Visa Application Centres
• Settlement Service providers (>700)
• National Settlement Council
• Panel Physicians

Other partners

• Canada Bank Note Corporation

Clients

Primary partners

• Canadian citizens
• Permanent residents
• Sponsors
• Refugees
• Visitors

Other partners

• Lawyers and consultants
• New College of Immigrant Consultants (anticipated TBC)
• Sponsorship agreement holders

Other Interested Parties

Primary partners

• Canadian Council for Refugees
• Education credential assessment agencies
• Language assessment bodies

Other partners

• Canadian Bar Association
• Tourism Sector
• Francophone communities
• Academics

Annex E: The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada is an independent, arm’s length, administrative tribunal which resolves immigration and refugee cases. The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada is divided into four divisions: the Immigration Division, the Immigration Appeals Division, the Refugee Protection Division, and the Refugee Appeals Division.

Refugee Protection Division

• Decides claims for refugee protection
• Decides applications for vacation of refugee protection
• Decides applications for cessation of refugee protection

Refugee Appeal Division

• Decides appeals from some decisions of the Refugee Protection Division allowing or rejecting claims for refugee protection

Immigration Division

• Conducts admissibility hearings for foreign nationals or permanent residents who seek entry into Canada, or who are already in Canada and are alleged to be inadmissible
• Conducts detention reviews for foreign nationals or permanent residents who are detained for immigration reasons

Immigration Appeal Division

• Decides appeals of family sponsorship applications refused by Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada
• Decides appeals from certain removal orders made against permanent residents, Convention refugees and other protected persons, and holders of permanent resident visas
• Decides appeals by permanent residents in which an Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada officer outside Canada has decided that they have not fulfilled their residency obligation
• Decides appeals by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness of Immigration Division decisions at admissibility hearings

Annex F: In-Canada Immigration and Citizenship Offices

Text version: In-Canada Immigration and Citizenship Offices

In-Canada Office

• Whitehorse
• Yellowknife
• Vancouver
• Surrey
• Edmonton
• Calgary
• Saskatoon
• Winnipeg
• Kitchener
• London
• Windsor
• Mississauga
• Scarborough
• Etobicoke
• Niagara
• Hamilton
• Ottawa
• Montreal
• Fredericton
• Charlottetown
• Sydney
• Halifax
• St. John’s

Case Processing Centre

• Gatineau
• Mississauga

National Call Centre

• Montreal

Operational Support Centre

• Ottawa

Annex G: In-Canada Passport Offices

Text version: In-Canada Passport Offices

Map of Passport offices and receiving agents within Canada

Find an office or receiving agent within Canada

Annex H: Abroad Passport Service Delivery Network

Consular Officers from Global Affairs Canada provide passports services (regular, temporary passports and emergency travel documents) on IRCC’s behalf. The kind of passport services provided in our offices abroad varies on the type of office. Embassies, high commissions and most consulates general provide a full range of services. The consulates, consular agencies and honorary consuls provide a varied (usually partial) level of passport services.

At a glance

• 122 full service offices
• 90 partial service offices
• 135,679 travel documents issued overseas in 2018-2019

Annex I: IRCC International Network

Text version: IRCC International Network

• 70% of 2018 IRCC Final Decisions for temporary resident caseload
• 43% of 2018 IRCC Final Decisions for permanent resident caseload
• 59 Overseas Offices
• 9 Area Offices
• 1,696 Promotion and Migration diplomacy activities worldwide
• 153 Visa Application Centres (VACs) in 104 countries
• 1,134 Locally Engaged Staff
• Approximately 334 Canada-Based Officers
• 260 HQ staff
• Updated on July 10, 2019

Headquarters Divisions

• Ottawa
  • Geographic Operations (RIO)
  • International Support (RIS)
  • Strategic Planning & Delivery (RIC)
  • Workforce Management (RIR)
  • Resettlement Operations (ROD)

United States

• Area Office: Washington DC
• Responsible for: 4 overseas offices
  • Washington
  • Los Angeles
  • New York (including the Permanent Mission to the UN)
  • Miami

Latin America

• Area Office: Mexico City
• Responsible for: 8 overseas offices
  • Mexico City
  • Port-au-Prince
  • Kingston
  • Port of Spain
  • Bogota
  • Lima
  • Sao Paulo
  • Buenos Aires

Northern Europe

• Area Office: London
• Responsible for: 9 overseas offices (including Permanent Mission to the UN in New York)
  • London
  • New York
  • Brussels
  • Berlin
  • Vienna
  • Geneva
  • Warsaw
  • Kyiv
  • Moscow

Southern Europe and the Maghreb

• Area Office: Paris
• Responsible for: 6 overseas offices
  • Paris
  • Rome
  • Bucharest
  • Rabat
  • Algiers
  • Tunis

North Asia and Oceania

• Area Office: Hong Kong
• Responsible for: 8 overseas offices
  • Hong Kong
  • Beijing
  • Shanghai
  • Guangzhou
  • Seoul
  • Tokyo
  • Sydney
  • Canberra

South Asia

• Area Office: New Delhi
• Responsible for: 4 overseas offices
  • New Delhi
  • Bangalore
  • Colombo
  • Chandigarh

South East Asia

• Area Office: Manila
• Responsible for: 5 overseas offices
  • Manila
  • Ho Chi Minh
  • Bangkok
  • Singapore
  • Jakarta

Middle East

• Area Office: Ankara
• Responsible for: 8 overseas offices
  • Ankara
  • Beirut
  • Amman
  • Riyadh
  • Abu Dhabi
  • Cairo
  • Tel Aviv
  • Islamabad

Sub-Saharan Africa

• Area Office: Nairobi
• Responsible for: 7 overseas offices
  • Nairobi
  • Dakar
  • Abuja
  • Lagos
  • Accra
  • Dar Es Salaam
  • Pretoria

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