IRCC Minister Transition Binder 2021: IRCC - Departmental Overview

Table of Contents

Introduction to IRCC

Two Main Pathways

Health & Safety

Settle and Integrate into Canadian Life

For Canadians

Delivering our Services

Key Partners

Impact of COVID-19

Annexes

  1. Permanent residence – a closer look
  2. In-Canada immigration and citizenship offices
  3. IRCC’s International Network

Introduction to IRCC

Departmental Mandate and Core Responsibilities

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

  1. link immigration services with citizenship registration
  2. promote the unique ideals all Canadians share
  3. help build a stronger Canada

Since then, IRCC has also taken over the administration of the Passport Program.

Mandate:

What we do:

  1. Screen and approve for admission temporary residents (foreign students, visitors and workers who help Canada’s social and economic growth
  2. Resettle, protect and provide a safe haven for refugees
  3. Help new permanent residents adapt to Canadian society and become Canadian citizens
  4. Manage access to Canada to protect the security and health of Canadians and the integrity of Canadian laws
  5. 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:

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:

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) and Citizenship Regulations No.2

Enables:

Canadian Passport OrderFootnote 1 (1981) – Diplomatic and Special Passport Order (1956)

Enables:

Financial Administration Act

Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act (1994)

International Law

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

Canada - Permanent Residents from 1865 to 2020

Year Total Number of Permanent Residents Admissions Percentage of the Canadian Population
1860 6,276 0.20%
1861 13,589 0.42%
1862 18,294 0.56%
1863 21,000 0.63%
1864 24,779 0.74%
1865 18,958 0.56%
1866 11,427 0.33%
1867 10,666 0.30%
1868 12,765 0.36%
1869 18,630 0.52%
1870 24,706 0.68%
1871 27,773 0.75%
1872 36,578 0.97%
1873 50,050 1.31%
1874 39,373 1.01%
1875 27,382 0.69%
1876 25,633 0.64%
1877 27,082 0.67%
1878 29,807 0.72%
1879 40,492 0.97%
1880 38,505 0.90%
1881 47,991 1.11%
1882 112,458 2.57%
1883 133,624 3.02%
1884 103,824 2.31%
1885 76,169 1.74%
1886 69,152 1.51%
1887 84,526 1.83%
1888 88,766 1.90%
1889 91,600 1.94%
1890 75,067 1.57%
1891 82,165 1.70%
1892 30,996 0.63%
1893 29,633 0.60%
1894 20,829 0.42%
1895 18,790 0.37%
1896 16,835 0.33%
1897 21,716 0.42%
1898 31,900 0.62%
1899 44,543 0.85%
1900 41,681 0.79%
1901 55,747 1.04%
1902 89,102 1.62%
1903 138,660 2.45%
1904 131,252 2.25%
1905 141,465 2.36%
1906 211,653 3.47%
1907 272,409 4.25%
1908 143,326 2.16%
1909 173,694 2.55%
1910 286,839 4.10%
1911 331,288 4.60%
1912 375,756 5.09%
1913 400,870 5.25%
1914 150,484 1.91%
1915 33,665 0.46%
1916 55,914 0.70%
1917 72,910 0.90%
1918 41,845 0.51%
1919 107,698 1.30%
1920 138,824 1.62%
1921 91,728 1.04%
1922 64,224 0.72%
1923 133,729 1.48%
1924 124,164 1.36%
1925 84,907 0.91%
1926 135,982 1.43%
1927 158,886 1.65%
1928 166,783 1.70%
1929 164,993 1.65%
1930 104,806 1.03%
1931 27,530 0.27%
1932 20,591 0.20%
1933 14,382 0.14%
1934 12,476 0.12%
1935 11,277 0.10%
1936 11,643 0.11%
1937 15,101 0.14%
1938 17,244 0.15%
1939 16,994 0.15%
1940 11,324 0.10%
1941 9,329 0.08%
1942 7,576 0.07%
1943 8,504 0.07%
1944 12,801 0.11%
1945 22,722 0.19%
1946 71,719 0.58%
1947 64,127 0.51%
1948 125,414 0.98%
1949 95,217 0.71%
1950 73,912 0.54%
1951 194,391 1.39%
1952 164,498 1.14%
1953 168,868 1.14%
1954 154,227 1.01%
1955 109,946 0.70%
1956 164,857 1.03%
1957 282,164 1.70%
1958 124,851 0.73%
1959 106,928 0.61%
1960 104,111 0.58%
1961 71,698 0.39%
1962 74,856 0.40%
1963 93,151 0.49%
1964 112,606 0.58%
1965 146,758 0.75%
1966 194,743 0.97%
1967 222,876 1.09%
1968 183,974 0.89%
1969 164,531 0.77%
1970 147,713 0.69%
1971 121,900 0.56%
1972 122,006 0.55%
1973 184,200 0.82%
1974 218,465 0.96%
1975 187,881 0.81%
1976 149,429 0.64%
1977 114,914 0.48%
1978 86,313 0.36%
1979 112,093 0.46%
1980 143,137 0.58%
1981 128,641 0.52%
1982 121,175 0.48%
1983 89,186 0.35%
1984 88,272 0.34%
1985 84,347 0.33%
1986 99,355 0.38%
1987 152,079 0.58%
1988 161,588 0.60%
1989 191,555 0.70%
1990 216,452 0.78%
1991 232,806 0.83%
1992 254,790 0.90%
1993 256,641 0.89%
1994 224,385 0.77%
1995 212,865 0.73%
1996 226,071 0.76%
1997 216,035 0.72%
1998 174,195 0.58%
1999 189,951 0.62%
2000 227,456 0.74%
2001 250,637 0.81%
2002 229,048 0.73%
2003 221,349 0.70%
2004 235,823 0.74%
2005 262,242 0.81%
2006 251,640 0.77%
2007 236,753 0.72%
2008 247,247 0.74%
2009 252,172 0.75%
2010 280,689 0.83%
2011 248,703 0.72%
2012 257,773 0.74%
2013 259,041 0.73%
2014 260,307 0.73%
2015 271,837 0.76%
2016 296,370 0.82%
2017 286,510 0.78%
2018 321,054 0.86%
2019 341,177 0.90%
2020 184,372 0.48%

Permanent Residents Admissions 2000-2023

Year Total Number of Permanent Residents Admissions Percentage of the Canadian Population
2000 227,451 0.75%
2001 250,640 0.81%
2002 229,057 0.73%
2003 221,348 0.70%
2004 235,823 0.74%
2005 262,244 0.82%
2006 251,642 0.78%
2007 236,753 0.72%
2008 247,244 0.75%
2009 252,170 0.75%
2010 280,694 0.83%
2011 248,703 0.73%
2012 257,777 0.75%
2013 259,041 0.74%
2014 260,307 0.74%
2015 271,840 0.76%
2016 296,371 0.83%
2017 286,510 0.79%
2018 321,053 0.87%
2019 341,175 0.91%
2020 184,594 0.49%
2021 401,000 1.05%
2022 411,000 1.06%
2023 421,000 1.08%

Figures projected for 2021-2023;

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
Global Reach
Nation-Building
National Security

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

Anti-Racism Task Force

Reconciliation

Gender-Based Analysis Plus

Work is ongoing to support equity, diversity and inclusion for the following:

Organizational Structure of the Department

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada – Minister

Deputy Minister – Catrina Tapley

Director General Offices reporting to the Deputy Minister

Sectors reporting to the Assistant Deputy Ministers who reports themselves to the Deputy Minister

Associate Deputy Minister Proof of Vaccination Credentials – Scott Jones
Associate Deputy Minister – Caroline Xavier

The Minister is responsible for the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Under her authority, Deputy Minister Catrina Tapley oversees the Associate Deputy Minister, Scott Jones, who is responsible for the Proof of Vaccination Credentials.

With the assistance of the Associate Deputy Minister, Deputy Minister Catrina Tapley also oversees Sectors and Director General Offices such as:

Through the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the College of Immigration and Citizenship ConsultantsFootnote 2 reports to Parliament.

Through the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the Immigration and Refugee Board of CanadaFootnote 3 reports to Parliament. The department is responsible for organizing their portfolio. The Chair of the Board is Richard Wex. This administrative tribunal is divided into four divisions:

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

Permanent residents: settling in Canada and becoming eligible for citizenship

Economic immigrants – Spouses/partners and family members – Refugees and protected persons

Temporary residents

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

Visitors
Temporary foreign workers

International students

International Mobility Program

Demand driven – no caps on annual number of temporary residents

Permanent residents

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

2019 admissions 341,189

2020 admissions 184,594

Immigration Categories Number in 2019 Percentage in 2019 Number in 2020 Percentage in 2020
Federal Economic 104,886 31% 54,906 30%
Provincial Nominee Program 68,646 20% 38,724 21%
Quebec Economic 23,129 7% 12,773 7%
Sponsored Families 91,318 27% 49,295 27%
Resettled Refugees & Protected Persons in Canada 48,529 14% 25,488 14%
Other 4,681 1% 3,408 2%

Attract talent

Reunites families

Respond to crises & offer protection

The 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan increases the total projected number of permanent resident admissions to 401,000 in 2021, 411,000 in 2022, and 421,000 in 2023.

Generally, the “mix” of permanent residents admissions in each category is around 60% in economic, 25% in family, 14% in refugees and protected persons, and 1% in humanitarian and compassionate and other.

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:

Levels planning is informed by:

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 legitimate movement of people.

Who and What?

Temporary residents
Permanent residents

Where?

How?

Migration health

The health of immigrants is a concern for all Canadians.

The Department

The Department also:

Settlement and Integration

Settlement programming helps newcomers to succeed in Canada

In 2019-2020, $779M ($835M in 2020-2021) in settlement funding was allocated among provinces and territories through the Settlement Funding Formula (excluding Quebec), and for other settlement funding envelopes.

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

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:

Acquisition:

Loss:

Awareness:

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).

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:

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:

IRCC actively engages with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on travel document standards and specifications. These efforts seek to ensure that Canadian passport holders continue to benefit from cross-border travel innovation and help maintain the strong reputation and global standing of the Canadian passport.

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

Operations Support Centre

Case Processing Centres

Resettlement Operations Centre

Client Support Centre (National Call Centre)

Passport (delivered by Service Canada)

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 10,276 staff, approximately 64% or 6,621 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

Visa Application Centres

Key Partners

Provinces and territories are key partners to ensure success

IRCC’s relationship with provinces and territories is critical:

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

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

Employment and Social Development Canada

Key domestic policy and delivery partner

Global Affairs Canada

Key overseas partner

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

Public Safety Portfolio

Other Key Government Departments/Agencies

Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB)

Portfolio Partner

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:

Canada engages in numerous partnerships to advance the above objectives, including the following key relationships:

Impacts of COVID-19 on IRCC

Early Deep Disruption

Recovery

Border Facilitation:

Going Digital:

Proof of Vaccination Credentials:

Digital Platform Modernization:

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.

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

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).

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.

Annex B

In-Canada immigration and citizenship offices

Description: Map of Canada depicting the locations of the following types of immigration and citizenship offices as of October 2019:

Numbers for each Province and Territory are:

British Columbia:

Alberta:

Saskatchewan:

Manitoba:

Ontario:

Quebec:

New Brunswick:

Nova Scotia:

Prince Edward Island:

Newfoundland & Labrador:

Yukon:

Northwest Territories:

Nunavut:

Annex C

IRCC’s International Network

Long Description: Annex C – IRCC’s International Network Depicted on a World Map as of August 31, 2021

Headquarters Divisions

United States

Latin America and Caribbean

Northern Europe

Southern Europe & the Maghreb

North Asia

South Asia

Southeast Asia & Oceania

Middle East

Sub-Saharan Africa

Canada (Virtual Office)

IRCC International Network Key Facts

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