IRCC Deputy Minister Transition Binder 2019 – Settlement and Integration Sector

[REDACTED] appears where sensitive information has been removed in accordance with the principles of the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.

Overview

The Settlement and Integration Sector (SIS) combines the policy development and program operations of the Settlement Program to support the integration of newcomers to Canada.

It ensures a single point of accountability for Canada’s settlement and integration program under ADM Fraser Valentine.
- Sector FTE count 393
  - Settlement Network (Operations): 300
  - Settlement and Integration Policy: 86
  - ADMO: 7
- Staffing completed for key CFP 2019 positions, Outcomes Analysis Unit and other initiatives
The Settlement Program budget represents about 64% of the department’s Vote 10 budget, excluding the Grant to Quebec. The Grant to Quebec was nearly $559.4M in 2018-19.
- Vote 1 in 2018-19:
  - Budget: $32.9M
  - [REDACTED]
- Vote 10: expected to increase 2018-19
  - Budget available for use: $762M
  - [REDACTED]
- 2019-20
  - [REDACTED]
- 2020-21
  - [REDACTED]
The Settlement Program uses a third-party service delivery model, with about 500 service providers of varying size and focus.
- In 2018-2019 more than 517,000 clients received at least one settlement service.
New specialized funding envelopes include the Visible Minority Newcomer Women Pilot, the Francophone Integrated Pathway and Service Delivery Improvement.
The refugee Resettlement Assistance Program and the Settlement Program are under one sector (Settlement and Integration) to ensure complementarity and cohesive services for refugees.

Key Partners

External Partners and Stakeholders

Provinces and Territories
Service provider organizations
Umbrella organizations
Other government departments
Employers

Advisory Bodies and Working Groups

Federal-Provincial-Territorial Settlement Working Group
FPT Language Forum
National Settlement Council
Newcomer Language Advisory Body
DG Forum (GoC)
Youth Advisory Group

SIS Core Responsibilities

The National Call for Proposals 2019, is the main vehicle to implement most settlement priorities. The Service Delivery Improvement fund is used to test innovative approaches. Agreements are currently being finalized.
There are new areas of engagement through Service Delivery Improvement innovation partners and robust employer engagement (e.g., Atlantic Immigration Pilot).
Unusually deep and broad stakeholder engagement portfolio – with service providers, PTs, employer sector, municipalities, etc.
Departmental oversight for Francophone immigration: creation of the Francophone Hub in 2018.

Settlement and Integration Policy Branch

Program policy development and guidance
FPT Relations
Funding allocations
Performance measurement
Stakeholder linkages
Service delivery improvement
Outcomes analysis
Management of Federal Internship for Newcomers (FIN) Program for Government of Canada

Settlement Network

Intake processes
Grant and Contribution management
Operational policies
Functional guidance and tools
Monitoring program integrity

SIS Key Files

Shared National Vision

To foster shared purpose and commitment
The Vision is incorporated into key Settlement Program initiatives (Call for Proposals, Communications).

FPT National Settlement Co-planning

To achieve higher-quality settlement services
Co-planning and service mapping with PTs to reduce gaps and overlaps:
- Settlement MOUs (9 completed: BC, SK, MB, ON, NB, PE, NS, NL, YT)
- Annual bilateral ADM-level co-planning and service mapping, establish work plans.

Stronger Programming, Clear Priorities

To provide innovative and outcomes-based services.
National Call for Proposals 2019 to mainstream innovation, signature initiatives and outcomes-focused programming.
Visible Minority Newcomer Women pilot underway to support employment and career advancement.
Francophone Immigration Strategy implemented to increase Francophone immigration, support the settlement and retention of French-speaking newcomers and support the vitality of Francophone Communities.
Over 100 Service Delivery Improvement projects in place to test new delivery approaches.
New Pre-arrival services programming in place, based on streamlined pre-arrival services framework.
Goal to reduce language training waitlist for priority clients was met or exceeded from January to May 2019, 46% reduction as of June 30, 2019.

Outcome Measurement Plan

To improve data and analysis of newcomer settlement outcomes
Dedicated Outcomes Analysis Unit created.
Annual Client Outcomes and Newcomer (Non-Client) Outcomes Surveys, launched with over 50,000 responses.
Analysis of newly linked databases underway to make progress on “attributing” outcomes.
First comprehensive [REDACTED] Immigrant Outcomes Report [REDACTED].

Sector Management

To reduce low-value administration and improve risk-based management
[REDACTED]
Now provide multi-year notional allocations to ensure better forward planning
Moving to 5-year contribution agreements
Authority to issue grants approved
Ongoing initiative to eliminate low-value added activities in Grant and Contribution management

Speaking Point

Priority clients are defined as those waiting for over 60 days to access IRCC funded language training at basic levels (up to Canadian Language Benchmarks/Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens level 4).

Two-year Strategic Plan: Achievements and Future Direction

Strategic Plan

A multi-pronged approach to building stronger outcomes-based settlement policy and programming.

Shared National Vision
National Co-Planning
Stronger Programming, Clear Priorities
Outcomes Measurement Plan
Sector Management

Implementation of the strategy is well advanced and yielding fruit:

Language Training priority waitlist reduction target surpassed
FPT and stakeholder relations at an all-time high
New data capacity (Outcomes Unit, data linkages, survey results) are at a pivotal stage

The Call for Proposals 2019 is the culmination of years of analysis, consultation and co-planning to implement priorities: focus on vulnerable populations; Francophone Integration Pathway; language and employment combinations; strengthened employer engagement; retention and integration; and reinforces commitment to high quality programming.

The multi-year immigration levels plan provides more funding for settlement services, enables better financial forecasting and more time to plan service delivery, but raises expectations to provide transparent, stable and predictable funding with stronger, medium and long term planning.

The Department is now better positioned to measure program effectiveness and find efficiencies.

Looking to the future: focusing on outcomes-based programming and good stewardship. [REDACTED].

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Date modified:: 2019-12-17

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