IRCC Deputy Minister Transition Binder 2022: Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada – Departmental Overview

Departmental Overview - July 2022

Table of Contents

Introduction to IRCC

• Departmental mandate and core responsibilities
• Legal frameworks
• Canada’s managed approach to immigration
• Anti-racism, equity and reconciliation
• Organizational structure of the Department

Two Main Pathways

• How do people come to Canada?
• Temporary residency
• Permanent residency
• Immigration Levels Plan

Health & Safety

• Safeguarding the health, safety and security of Canadians

Settle and Integrate into Canadian Life

• Settlement and integration

For Canadians

• Citizenship
• Passport

Delivering our Services

• IRCC’s operational network in Canada
• IRCC’s overseas operations

Key Partners

• Provinces and territories
• Federal partners
• International partners

Impact of COVID-19 and Current State of Play

• Various impacts across all lines of business

Annexes

• Annex A - Permanent residence – a closer look
• Annex B - In-Canada Offices: IRCC and Delivery partners
• Annex C - IRCC’s International Network

Introduction to IRCC

Departmental Mandate and Core Responsibilities

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) was created in 1994 to

• link immigration services with citizenship registration
• promote the unique ideals all Canadians share
• help build a stronger Canada

In 2013, IRCC also assumed responsibility for the administration of the Passport Program.

Mandate:

• Our mandate comes from the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act.
• The Minister for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada is responsible for the Citizenship Act of 1977 and Diplomatic and Special Passports Order, and shares responsibility with the Minister of Public Safety for the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Canadian Passport Order.

What we do:

• Screen and approve for admission temporary residents (foreign students, visitors and workers who help Canada’s social and economic growth)
• Manage access to Canada to protect the security and health of Canadians and the integrity of Canadian laws
• Resettle, protect and provide a safe haven for refugees
• Help new permanent residents adapt to Canadian society and become Canadian citizens
• Issue passports and other travel documents to facilitate travel outside of Canada
• Help Canadians and newcomers to participate fully in the economic, political, social and cultural life of the country

The Department’s work is grounded in strong legal frameworks

Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) – (2002)
Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR)

Enables:

• Immigration to Canada
• Refugee protection
• Enforcement

The Minister of Public Safety is responsible for the administration of the enforcement provisions of this Act.

The Minister of IRCC also has discretionary tools from the Act:

• Ministerial Instructions
• Public Policy provision

The Act also provides the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) with jurisdiction to hear and decide cases on immigration and refugee matters.

Citizenship Act (1977), Citizenship Regulations and Citizenship Regulations No.2

Enables:

• Acquisition of citizenship
• Resumption of citizenship
• Proof of citizenship
• Loss of citizenship (renunciation and revocation)

Canadian Passport Order (1981)

Diplomatic and Special Passports Order (2005)

Enables:

• Issuance of passports
• Cancellation, refusal, and revocation

Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness has certain national security responsibilities under Canadian Passport Order.

Financial Administration Act

• Sets out our authorities to issue fees including rights fees, passport and other travel document services fees.

Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act (1994)

Established the Department – Sets out the powers, duties and functions of the Minister.

International Law:

e.g. United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (1951), United Nations Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness (1961).

Canada has a managed approach to migration

Canada’s approach to migration is intended to maximize Canada’s economic and social well-being.
While protecting the safety and security of Canadians, the Department:

• creates legal pathways for people to come to Canada on temporary or permanent basis; and
• plans the number of new immigrants and the balance between permanent resident categories in advance.

Canada - Permanent Residents from 1865 to 2024

Permanent Residents Admissions 2000-2024

Figures projected for 2022-2024.

Immigration is more than facilitating the movement of people

People bring skills, talent, social connections. The work of this Department makes a difference to Canadians by contributing to…

Economic Development

Managed migration (temporary or permanent) brings in global talent and skills to support and grow the Canadian economy helping businesses scale up and compete in international markets. Additionally, tourists and students contribute to the economy.

Global Reach

IRCC’s network of people and offices is truly global. Canada’s approach to immigration often cited as the benchmark internationally.

Nation-Building

IRCC facilitates the arrival and integration of people to Canada so that they can contribute to our strength and share with us the benefits of this country. IRCC also issues trusted identity documents (e.g. permanent resident card). We strive for intercultural understanding that allows all people to integrate into Canadian society, regardless of our differences.

National Security

We screen people before they come to Canada to maintain the health, safety and security of Canadians.

Anti-racism, equity and reconciliation are core in our work

• Anti-racism and equity issues have grown in public awareness in recent years, particularly in the context of COVID-19, which has exacerbated existing inequities. IRCC has taken these issues to heart and is actively seeking ways to engage and respond
  • Historically and today, Indigenous, Black and racialized peoples, newcomers, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2+ persons, ethnic and religious minorities, and women have not been fully included due to systemic inequities and discriminations.

Anti-Racism Task Force

In May 2021, IRCC released “Our Commitments to Anti-Racism” on our website. The Three-Year Strategy (2021-2023) and Sector Action Planning is underway to identify and mitigate systemic barriers in our workplace, policy, programs and services. The Anti-Racism Strategy 2.0 is in progress and is anticipated to be shared summer of 2022.

Gender-Based Analysis Plus

GBA Plus is Canada’s approach to mainstreaming intersectional analysis to improve equity, diversity and inclusion in all government initiatives. It is an analytical approach to deepen knowledge and examine the impacts of our work on different groups of people, particularly those who are equity denied.

Reconciliation

Calls to Action - 17: Passport, PR card, and citizenship certificate replacement fees will be waived, enabling survivors and their families to reclaim Indigenous names changed by the Residential School System. 57: IRCC is working to ensure employees have access to information, learning opportunities, and training that provides a more comprehensive history of Indigenous Peoples 93: Work continues to update the Citizenship Guide. 94: In June 2021, the Oath of Citizenship was amended in the Citizenship Act.

Accessibility

IRCC is committed to identifying and eliminating barriers to the full participation of persons with disabilities in our policies and programs. IRCC stands ready to support the Disability Inclusion Action Plan going forward as a necessary and important complement to the Accessible Canada Act in achieving an equitable society for all Canadians.

LGBTQ2+

IRCC supports the rights of gender and sexually diverse people, and seeks to improve outcomes through initiatives, e.g.: The Rainbow Refugee Assistance Partnership, Sex and Gender Client Identifier Policy; Human Rights Defender Stream. IRCC also has Pride@IRCC, a positive space employee network that promotes workplace inclusion.

Official Languages Act

IRCC communicates frequently with its workforce on the importance of linguistic duality; this includes sharing best practices and ensuring continued commitment to official language obligations as well as working towards diminishing linguistic insecurity.

Organizational Structure of the Department

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

• Minister
  • Deputy Minister; and
  • Associate Deputy Minister
    • Future of Work
    • Chief of Staff
    • Anti-Racism Task Force
    • Senior General Counsel
    • Communications
    • Internal Audit
    • Conflict Resolution
• Afghanistan Sector
• Corporate Services Sector
• Finance, Security and Administration Sector
• Digital Strategy, Services and Innovation Sector
• Operations Sector
• Strategic and Program Policy Sector
• Settlement and Integration Sector

Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB)

Chairperson - Richard Wex

• Refugee Protection Division
• Refugee Appeal Division
• Immigration Division
• Immigration Appeals Division

The Immigration and Refugee Board is an independent administrative tribunal; accountable to Parliament through the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants

The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Act was brought into force by Order in Council in December 2020. The Act provides a statutory framework for the College to regulate immigration and citizenship consultants in the public interest and makes the College the official regulator for the consulting profession, operating at arm’s length from IRCC. The College opened on November 23, 2021 and is subject to government oversight, including the ministerial appointment of public interest directors to the College’s Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will be accountable to Parliament through the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

Overview: Two Main Pathways

How do people come to Canada?

Temporary residents: visiting, studying or working in Canada for a limited time (Visitors, International students, Temporary foreign workers)

• Facilitates the entry of visitors, students and temporary workers for trade, commerce, tourism, international understanding and cultural, educational and scientific activities.
• They are generally protected under Canadian law and also have many of the protections from the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Permanent residents: settling in Canada and becoming eligible for citizenship (Economic immigrants, Spouses/partners and family members, Refugees and protected persons)

• Permanent residence grants many rights and responsibilities, including the right to live, work or study anywhere in Canada; and social benefits including health care coverage and access to federally-funded settlement and integration services. Permanent residents are also required to pay taxes.
• Permanent residents must adhere to and are protected under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
• Over 7 million new permanent residents have arrived in Canada since 1990.

Temporary residents

Visiting, studying, or working in Canada for a limited time.

Visitors

• Travelling for business or leisure
• May require either a temporary resident visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization to come to Canada.
• In 2021, 305,383 temporary resident visas and 662,907 eTAs (automated) were issued (figures were 337,121 and 777,582 respectively in 2020).

International students

• A study permit is needed before coming to study or train in Canada for more than six months in duration.
• Students contribute to Canada’s economic success through their education, student spending and tuition. They contribute more than $22.3B annually to the economy (2018).
• In 2021, 351,961 international student permits were issued. (85,284 were issued in 2020.)

Temporary foreign workers

Foreign nationals may be authorized to work in Canada under two programs:

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

• Employer-specific work permits only. Fills temporary skills shortages when Canadians cannot be found; a labour market test is applied.
• In 2021, 113,900 permits were issued through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (84,205 were issued in 2020).

International Mobility Program

• Both employer-specific and open work permits. Supports Canada’s broader economic, cultural or other competitive interests; no labour market test.
• In 2021, 485,400 permits were issued through the International Mobility Program (241,450 were issued in 2020.

Demand driven – no caps on annual number of temporary residents

Permanent residents

Balancing economic, social and humanitarian objectives, and increasing Canada’s diversity

2022 Planned Admissions: 431,645 persons

Attract talent

• Skilled individuals (and family members) that drive economic growth and innovation and attract investment.

Reunites families

• Provides support networks, contributes to social and cultural benefits and promotes retention in communities.

Respond to crises & offer protection

• Respects Canada’s humanitarian tradition and international obligations.

The 2022-2024 Immigration Levels Plan increases the total projected number of permanent resident admissions to 431,645 in 2022, 447,055 in 2023, and 451,000 in 2024.

Immigration levels plan

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act requires that the Government’s planned number of permanent resident admissions for the next calendar year be published via tabling in Parliament.
In the levels plan, the Government sets the targets for admission of permanent residents. This allows us to communicate on key immigration priorities related to:

• Economic immigration;
• Family reunification; and,
• Resettled refugees and protected persons.

Levels planning is informed by

• engagement with: provinces, territories, other government departments and agencies, and stakeholders
• operational realities
• data, research, and evidence
• international emerging priorities
• public opinion research

The multi-year levels plan (three years) allows for a longer planning horizon, helping provinces and territories and other partners to better prepare and reflects a commitment to a well-managed system.

The levels plan is a cornerstone of Canada’s managed migration system.

Health and Safety

Safeguarding the Health, Safety and Security of Canadians

The protection of health, safety, and security of Canadians is balanced with facilitating the movement of people.

Who and What?

Temporary Residents

• Temporary resident visa

Thorough screening to assess admissibility and traveller intent; may be referred for in-depth security screening and medical screening where required by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations

• Electronic Travel Authorization

Light-touch screening for generally low-risk nationals from 54 visa-exempt countries

Permanent Residents

• Screening for security, criminality and medical admissibility

Where?

• Overseas – for temporary and permanent residents
• At the border – Canada Border Services Agency  screens all travellers
• In Canada – those seeking a change in status (e.g. temporary to permanent) or applying for citizenship

How?

• Information provided by clients, e.g. biographic; biometric (fingerprints and photo)
• Information held by trusted partners – domestic security agencies (e.g. Royal Canadian Mounted Police) and  international partners (e.g. United States)
• Information in our systems, e.g. previous applications
• Verification of information, e.g. meeting conditions for work or study permits
• Additional screening as needed

The health of newcomers is a concern for all Canadians.

The Department

• manages health screening of migrants and refugees to screen for certain conditions that are likely a danger to public health (active Tuberculosis) or public safety (sudden incapacity or violent behaviour) or might reasonably be expected to cause excessive demand on health or social services
• conducts immigration medical exams in partnership with an international network of third-party physicians and the International Organization for Migration
• notifies provinces/territories of the arrival of newcomers who are requiring medical surveillance (e.g. previously treated or latent tuberculosis)
• works with the Public Health Agency of Canada and local Canadian public health authorities to monitor and mitigate public health risks
• manages medical exam process and supports response to health events and special refugee movements through its network of Regional Medical Offices (Ottawa, London, Delhi, Manila)
• administers the Interim Federal Health Program which provides temporary health-care coverage to refugees, asylum seekers, and other vulnerable populations until they become eligible for provincial/territorial health coverage. Pre-departure services administered by the IOM overseas for resettled refugees

Settlement and Integration

Settlement programming helps newcomers to succeed in Canada

• Canada funds a full array of settlement programming for permanent residents and refugees via a network of over 500 service providers and engages employers and civil society to create welcoming communities.
• Programming builds on the human and social capital of immigrants and refugees to help them succeed in Canada.
• Provinces, territories, municipalities, and other partners provide complementary settlement services, and other mainstream supports related to education, health and social services that support newcomer integration.
• Supporting Francophone minority communities outside Quebec is a priority for the Settlement Program, including tailored supports from pre-arrival to citizenship.

In 2022-2023, $1,026 billion in settlement funding was allocated among provinces and territories through the Settlement Funding Formula (excluding Quebec), and through other settlement funding envelopes.

In addition, the Settlement Program provides dedicated supports to government-assisted refugees, and other eligible clients, upon arrival in Canada by providing income support and other immediate and essential services.

• Pre-arrival services help immigrants plan and prepare to work and live in Canada
• Needs assessment and information & orientation services help immigrants make informed settlement decisions and access other community supports
• Language assessment and training builds a key skill for life and work in Canada.
• Employment-related services prepare for the workforce and link to employers.
• Community connections link immigrants to local communities and institutions, creating a sense of belonging.
• Indirect and support services (e.g. childcare, interpretation, etc.) facilitate access to settlement services, foster community planning and partnerships.

For Canadians

Citizenship – an important privilege

Persons are Canadians by birth in Canada, by descent by birth outside of Canada in the first generation, or naturalized as citizens if they meet the requirements of the Citizenship Act

Eligibility for Naturalization:

Adult citizenship applicants must meet requirements set out in the Citizenship Act, including: being a permanent resident, being physically present in Canada for a defined number of days, demonstrated knowledge of Canada and one of its official languages, filing income tax returns as required, not being subject to prohibitions (e.g. criminality), and taking the Oath of Citizenship. An individual granted citizenship is issued a citizenship certificate.

Acquisition:

Citizenship may be acquired through birth on soil, by descent, or by naturalization. In 2019-2020, via naturalization alone, 247,139 persons became new Canadian citizens. Due to processing interruptions, in 2020-2021 that number was 58,158. A citizenship certificate is provided to Canadians who apply for evidence of their citizenship.

Loss:

Canadian citizens may apply to renounce their citizenship if they meet the requirements of the Citizenship Act.

Citizenship may be revoked from naturalized Canadians if obtained as a result of fraud, false representation, or knowingly concealing material circumstances. A citizenship certificate may be recalled if the person is not entitled to it.

Awareness:

Encourage naturalization, increase knowledge of the rights, responsibilities and privileges of Canadian citizenship and promote citizenship competencies to all Canadians.

Passport – a trusted travel document

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

Issuance:

Facilitates Canadians’ travel and contributes to international and domestic security. In 2019-2020, IRCC issued approximately 2.5 million passports, in 2020-2021, 439,873 were issued, and in 2021-2022 1,404,354 were issued.

Service delivery:

Works in collaboration with Employment and Social Development Canada, Service Canada (for the delivery of domestic passport services), and with Global Affairs Canada (for abroad services).

IRCC also handles the following:

• Special and diplomatic passports
• Travel documents to non-Canadians (e.g. refugee travel document)
• Complex and high risk passport applications (e.g. complex child custody situations)

Security:

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

Key statistics:

• Approximately 66% of all Canadians hold a valid passport.
• There are 24.7 million passports in circulation.
• 93% of Canadian passport holders reside within 50 km of a passport point of service.
• Pre-pandemic, 99% of clients received their passport within established service standards. In 2021-2022 81.4% of clients received their passport within service standards.
• The client satisfaction rate in 2019-2020 was 94%. In 2020-2021 the rate was 89.2%.
• Return to regular travel and passport processing is a high priority for the Department and its partners.

IRCC is the policy lead for the Passport Program, and manages its legal and regulatory framework. As part of this, IRCC is a leading voice within the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) groupings focused on travel document standards and specifications (as part of ongoing modernization efforts). This influence is key in ensuring that Canadian passport holders continue to benefit from cross-border travel innovation and that the strong reputation and global standing of the Canadian passport is maintained,

Delivering our Services

IRCC’s Operational Network – in Canada

IRCC operates a vast network of offices and support centres in Canada that deal with decision-making on application cases, passport issuance, client inquiries, and settlement supports, including citizenship tests and ceremonies.

• Domestic and Settlement Offices - 26 offices across all provinces
• Case Processing Centres - Sydney, Ottawa, Mississauga, and Edmonton
• Client Support Centre (National Call Centre), Montréal
• Operations Support Centre, 24/7, Gatineau
• Resettlement Operations Centre, Gatineau
• Passport - 25 dedicated passport offices, 317 Service Canada centres, and 2 mail processing centres

In total, IRCC has 47 offices across Canada; this includes those listed above as well as those that support the corporate work of the Department (e.g. National Headquarters in Ottawa/Gatineau). Of IRCC’s current 10,720 staff, approximately 65% or 7,014 work in its Operations Sector. In addition to its own offices/centres IRCC works with over 500 service provider organizations across the country to deliver settlement programming.

IRCC’s overseas operations

IRCC’s overseas operations are global and critical to delivering permanent resident levels, temporary resident entries, citizenship services and passports to Canadians.

Missions Abroad - Embassies and Consulates

• 206 missions in 144 countries
• 121 full service offices and access to the 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre
• 85 supervised partial service missions, including honorary consuls.

Visa Application Centres

• 164 visa application centres (VACs) in 108 countries
• These centres are managed by third party contractors authorized to provide specific administrative support services and biometric collection services to visa applicants under VAC contracts with the Government of Canada. Services are delivered to applicants in the local language and in the most prevalent Canadian official language. Where demand for the other official language is 5% or greater, they must provide services in both.

Key Partners

Provinces and territories are key partners to ensure success

IRCC’s relationship with provinces and territories is critical:

• Immigration is a shared federal, provincial, and territorial responsibility with federal paramountcy.
• Provinces and territories leverage immigration to meet their economic and demographic needs, and provide health and social services to newcomers in their jurisdictions.
• Provinces and territories also provide funding to settlement services provider organizations; these organizations are IRCC’s key partners for delivering services to newcomers.
• The Department has been expanding its delivery partners. Communities have a renewed role in regional immigration, acting as partners in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot and participating in consultations on future regional immigration programs.
• Provincial and territorial vital statistic agencies are key stakeholders in the continuum of identity management for passport services, citizenship and immigration.

Quebec and Canada have a distinct relationship on immigration. Under the 1991 Canada-Quebec Accord, Quebec has sole responsibility for the following:

• Selection of immigrants (except Family Class and in-Canada refugee claimants)
• Delivery of integration services, supported by an annual grant from the federal government, based on formula set out in the Accord

Quebec publishes its own immigration levels plan annually.

Partner Departments & Agencies

IRCC's work is very much in partnership with other federal departments and agencies. To carry out our mandate, collaboration within the federal family is critical.

Canada Border Services Agency

Primary delivery partner

• Responsible for delivering the enforcement provisions of  the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
• Manages travelers at Canadian ports of entry and examines  admission documents.
• Removes persons from Canada who are found to be inadmissible.
• Supports refugee claimant intake at the border and implements the Safe Third Country Agreement.
• Conducts security screening and provides intelligence on admissibility and border security matters.
• Relies on IRCC’s Global Case Management System.

Employment and Social Development Canada

Key domestic policy and delivery partner

• Co-delivers the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, including by conducting labour market impact assessments.
• Leads federal foreign credential recognition efforts – important for settlement outcomes and attracting global talent so they can work in their field of expertise in Canada.
• Provides services that support long-term integration of immigrants (e.g. adult literacy and essential skills; targeted labour market integration programs).
• Administers the Job Bank (Express Entry).
• Delivers domestic passport services on behalf of IRCC through Service Canada.

Global Affairs Canada

Key overseas partner

• Is responsible for Canadian foreign policy that guides IRCC’s migration and protection diplomacy efforts.
• Manages missions (embassies and consulates abroad) and supports IRCC’s international presence.
• Delivers citizenship and passport services abroad on behalf of IRCC.
• Shares social media account with IRCC for promotional and outreach purpose.

A number of other federal partners also play key roles, including:

Public Safety Portfolio

• Public Safety Canada oversees RCMP, CSIS and CBSA and coordinates national security policy.
• The Minister of Public Safety is responsible for the administration of the enforcement provisions of the IRPA and co-administers the Canadian Passport Order.
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police: conducts criminal screening.
• Canadian Security and Intelligence Service: provides advice on threats to the security of Canada and conducts security screening for temporary residence, permanent residence and citizenship applicants.

Other Key Government Departments/Agencies

• The Public Health Agency of Canada: administers the Quarantine Act and is responsible for health screening and monitoring; collaborates with IRCC on Proof of Vaccine Credentials.
• Statistics Canada: key data partner in augmenting IRCC outcomes data and analytical capacity.
• Canadian Heritage: partner in citizenship, official languages and Francophone immigration; leads on Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy and social cohesion.
• Regional Economic Development Agencies: support design and implementation of regional economic immigration programming.
• Women and Gender Equality Canada:  supports the Racialized Newcomer Women Pilot.

Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB)

Portfolio Partner

• Makes decisions on claims for refugee protection made within Canada and on immigration-related matters.
• The IRB reports to Parliament through the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, but remains independent from IRCC and the Minister.

IRCC also collaborates with a range of other departments and agencies, including Shared Services Canada, Transport Canada, Justice Canada, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Finance Canada and the Privy Council Office.

IRCC also engages with international partners to advance its interests or in support of broader Government of Canada priorities

Canada’s approach to immigration is frequently referred to as a best practice in global migration.
IRCC engages in migration and protection diplomacy globally to

• promote well-managed migration systems and deter irregular migration
• exchange best practices on managing migration, settlement, and integration
• fulfill Canada’s refugee protection commitments and support the 1951 Refugee Convention
• build migration and protect capacity internationally
• complement Canada’s broader foreign policy objectives
• support the health, safety and security of Canadians

Canada engages in numerous partnerships to advance the above objectives:

Bilateral

• United States; Mexico; European Commission; other like-minded countries (e.g. Australia and Germany).

International Policy Fora

• Migration Five (Canada, USA, UK, Australia, NZ)
• Intergovernmental Consultations on Migration, Asylum and Refugees
• Regional Conference on Migration
• Global Forum on Migration & Development
• Development Working Group on Migration Narratives

Multilateral

• International Organization for Migration
• United Nations Refugee Agency
• OECD
• International Labour Organization
• International Civil Aviation Organization

Impacts of COVID-19 and Current State of Play

Various impacts across all lines of business

Early Deep Disruption

• In 2020, international travel to Canada decreased by over 95%; new permanent residents decreased by 50%. Newcomers and temporary residents suffered disproportionate impacts
• Border Management: Border measures intentionally implemented to mitigate the risk of COVID-19. As of January 15, 2022, most entry exemptions eliminated; foreign nationals entering Canada need to be fully vaccinated, with limited exceptions
• IRCC workforce impacted by stay-at-home orders and overseas office closures
• Partners were limited to essential services; gradual reopening of visa centres, service provider organizations, Service Canada

Recovery

Border Facilitation

Implementing new pathways to permanent residence and introducing new measures for temporary residents

Going Digital

Accelerated by the pandemic, IRCC implemented various digital services (e.g. video oath ceremonies, online citizenship tests, electronic grant applications)

Proof of Vaccination Credentials (PVC):

COVID-19 PVC was announced on October 21. All provinces and territories now issue  the Canadian PVC  for inbound/outbound travel and in some cases, domestic use

Digital Platform Modernization (DPM)

Work continues on DPM, building the “digital runway” to launch digital services, giving IRCC the ability to begin offering services through modern channels

Workforce Reintegration

Work is underway to support a gradual reintegration of public servants, irrespective of vaccination status, into the workplace; includes a Future of the Workplace Pilot

Annex A

Permanent residence – a closer look

Economic: Canada selects economic immigrants (including their immediate family) for their ability to contribute to Canada’s economy.

• Federal High Skilled
• Federal Economic Public Policies
• Federal Business
• Economic Pilots
• Caregivers
• Agri-Food Pilot
• Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)
• Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIP)
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
• Quebec Skilled Workers and Business

Family: Family reunification has been an important pillar of Canada’s immigration policy. Citizens and permanent residents are able to sponsor immediate family members.

• Spouses/Partners and Children
• Parents and Grandparents

Refugees and Protected Persons: Canada has a strong commitment to its humanitarian goals by resettling refugees and recognizing those persons in need of protection (asylum). 

• Protected Persons in Canada and Dependants Abroad
• Resettled Refugees
  • Government-assisted refugees (GARs)
  • Privately sponsored refugees (PSRs)
  • Blended visa office-referred refugees (BVORs)

Humanitarian and Compassionate and Other: Permanent residency is granted to those who would not otherwise qualify based on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, public policy considerations, and as permit holders.

• Humanitarian & Compassionate and Other
  • Public policy considerations
  • Permit holder class

Annex B

In-Canada Offices: IRCC and Delivery partners

Description: Map of Canada depicting the locations of the following types of immigration and citizenship offices:

• Domestic & Settlement Offices
• Case Processing Centre
• Client Support Centre (National Call Centre)
• Operations Support Centre
• Resettlement Operations Centre
• Number of Passport Service Locations

Numbers for each Province and Territory are:

British Columbia:

• 2 Domestic & Settlement Offices in Vancouver and Surrey
• 43 Passport Service Locations

Alberta:

• 2 Domestic & Settlement Offices in Calgary and Edmonton
• 1 Case Processing Centre in Edmonton
• 22 Passport Service Locations

Saskatchewan:

• 1 Domestic & Settlement Office in Saskatoon
• 14 Passport Service Locations

Manitoba:

• 1 Domestic & Settlement Office in Winnipeg
• 17 Passport Service Locations

Ontario:

• 9 Domestic & Settlement Offices in Windsor, London, Kitchener, Niagara Falls, Hamilton, Mississauga, Etobicoke, Scarborough, and Ottawa
• 2 Case Processing Centres in Mississauga and Ottawa
• 1 Resettlement Operations Centre in Ottawa
• 100 Passport Service Locations

Quebec:

• 1 Domestic & Settlement Office in Montreal
• 1 Client Support Centre (National Call Centre) in Montreal
• 1 Operations Support Centre in Gatineau
• 81 Passport Service Locations

New Brunswick:

• 1 Domestic & Settlement Office in Fredericton
• 19 Passport Service Locations

Nova Scotia:

• 1 Domestic & Settlement Office in Halifax
• 1 Case Processing centre in Sydney
• 20 Passport Service Locations

Prince Edward Island:

• 1 Domestic & Settlement Office in Charlottetown
• 5 Passport Service Locations

Newfoundland & Labrador:

• 1 Domestic & Settlement Office in St. John’s
• 15 Passport Service Locations

Yukon:

• 2 Passport Service Locations

Northwest Territories:

• 5 Passport Service Locations

Nunavut:

• 3 Passport Service Locations

Annex C

IRCC’s International Network

Long Description: Annex C – IRCC’s International Network Depicted on a World Map as of April 29, 2022

Headquarters Divisions

• Geographic Operations (RIO)
• Resettlement Operations (ROD)
• Innovation, Design & Delivery (ROI-INOM)
• International Support (RIS)
• Strategic Planning & Delivery (RIC)
• Workforce Management (RIR)

United States

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

Latin America and Caribbean

• Area Office: Mexico city
• Responsible for: 8 overseas offices (Mexico City, Kingston, Port-Au-Prince, Port of Spain, Bogota, Lima, Sao Paolo, Buenos Aires)

Northern Europe

• Area Office: London
• Responsible for: 9 overseas offices (London, Brussels, Berlin, Geneva, Vienna, Warsaw, Kyiv, Moscow)
• (Including P.M. to the UN in NYC)

Southern Europe & the Maghreb

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

North Asia

• Area Office: Beijing
• Responsible for: 4 overseas offices (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong)

South Asia

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

Southeast Asia & Oceania

• Area Office: Manila
• Responsible for: 9 overseas offices (Manila, Seoul, Tokyo, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Jakarta, Sydney, Canberra)

Middle East

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

Sub-Saharan Africa

• Area office: Nairobi
• Responsible for: 8 overseas offices (Nairobi, Dakar, Accra, Abuja, Lagos, Addis Ababa, Dar Es Salaam, Pretoria)

Canada (Virtual Office)

• Area office: Innovation Design & Delivery (ROI) responsible for the Rapid Response Operations Centre (RROC)

Havana and Stockholm are not included as overseas offices as they do not have Canadian-based staff.

IRCC International Network Key Facts

• 26% of 2021 IRCC Final Decisions for temporary resident caseload
• 29% of 2021 IRCC Final Decisions for permanent resident caseload
• 60 Overseas Offices
• 1 Virtual Office (In Canada)
• 9 Area Offices
• 3,114 Promotion and Migration diplomacy activities worldwide in 2021
• 164 Visa Application Centres (VACs) in 111 countries
• 995 Locally Engaged Staff
• Approximately 320 Canada Based Staff (positions)
• 407 HQ staff
• 97 Virtual (in Canada)