IRCC Minister Transition Binder 2021: IRCC - Departmental Overview

Table of Contents

Introduction to IRCC

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:

• 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 shares responsibility with the Minister of Public Safety for the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

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:

• 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) and Citizenship Regulations No.2

Enables:

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

Canadian Passport Order^{Footnote 1} (1981) – Diplomatic and Special Passport Order (1956)

Enables:

• Issuance of passports
• Cancellation, refusal, and revocation

Financial Administration Act

• Sets out our authorities to issue fees including 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)

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 2020

Permanent Residents Admissions 2000-2023

Figures projected for 2021-2023;

• 186,005 people admitted between Jan-July 2021

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, tourism supports 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. We strive for intercultural understanding that allows all people to fully participate in our society, regardless of our apparent differences.

National Security

• We can screen people before they come to Canada to maintain the health, safety and security of Canadians.
• IRCC issues trusted identity documents (e.g. permanent resident card).

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.
  • 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

• May 2021, IRCC released “Our Commitments to Anti-Racism” on our website.
• Three-Year Strategy (2021-2024) and Sector Action Planning is underway to identify and mitigate systemic barriers in our workplace, policy, programs and services.

Reconciliation

• Call to Action 17: Passport, permanent resident card, and citizenship certificate replacement fees will be waived, enabling survivors of the residential school system (RSS) and their families to reclaim Indigenous names changed by the RSS.
• Call to Action 93: Work continues to update the Citizenship Guide.
• Call to Action 94: In June 2021, the Oath of Citizenship was amended in the Citizenship Act.

Gender-Based Analysis Plus

• GBA+ is Canada’s approach to mainstreaming intersectional equity, diversity and inclusion considerations 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 traditionally marginalized within society.

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

• People with disabilities (including accessibility)
• Members of the LGBTQ2 community
• Indigenous Peoples (including reconciliation)
• Official Languages Act

Organizational Structure of the Department

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada – Minister

• Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) – Chairperson Richard Wex (Portfolio Organization^{Footnote 2})
  • Refugee Protection Division
  • Refugee Appeal Division
  • Immigration Division
  • Immigration Appeals
• College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants^{Footnote 3}

Deputy Minister – Catrina Tapley

Director General Offices reporting to the Deputy Minister

• Conflict Resolution
• Communications
• Anti-Racism Task Force
• Internal Audit
• Senior General Counsel

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

• Afghanistan Coordination
• Corporate Services
• Chief Financial Officer
• Transformation and Digital Solutions Sector
• Operations Sector
• Strategic and Program Policy Sector
• Settlement and Integration Sector
• Modernization Sector

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:

• Internal Audit
• Senior General Counsel
• Communications
• Corporate Services
• Dispute Resolution
• Senior Financial Officer
• Transformation and Digital Solutions Sector
• Operations Sector
• Strategic Policy and Programs Sector
• Settlement and Integration Sector

Through the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants^{Footnote 2} reports to Parliament.

Through the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada^{Footnote 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:

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

Overview: Two Main Pathways

How do people come to Canada?

Temporary residents: visiting, studying or working in Canada for a limited time

• Facilitates the entry of visitors, students and temporary workers for trade, commerce, tourism, international understanding and cultural, educational and scientific activities.

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.

Permanent residents: settling in Canada and becoming eligible for citizenship

• 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; and 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.

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

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 2019, 1,414,176 temporary resident visas and 3,877,718 eTAs (automated) were issued (figures were 337,121 and 777,582 respectively in 2020).

Temporary foreign workers

• Foreign nationals may be authorized to work in Canada under two programs:
  1. Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
  2. Employer-specific work permits only. Fills temporary skills shortages when Canadians cannot be found; a labour market test is applied.
• In 2019, 87,962 permits were issued through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (66,957 were issued 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 2019, 250,721 international student permits were issued. (85,284 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 2019, 221,324 permits were issued through the International Mobility Program (88,893 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

2019 admissions 341,189

2020 admissions 184,594

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 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:

• Economic immigration
• Family reunification
• Resettled refugees and protected persons

Levels planning is informed by:

• engagement with: provinces, territories, other government departments and agencies, and stakeholders
• operational realities
• 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 legitimate movement of people.

Who and What?

Temporary residents

• Temporary resident visa
  • Thorough screening to assess inadmissibility 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

Migration health

The health of immigrants is a concern for all Canadians.

The Department

• Manages health screening of migrants to prevent the arrival of infectious diseases, in partnership with an international network of physicians and the International Organization for Migration (e.g. pre-departure medical services for resettled refugees).
• Notifies provinces/territories of the arrival of newcomers requiring medical surveillance (e.g. latent tuberculosis, HIV).
• Works with the Public Health Agency of Canada and public health authorities to monitor and mitigate public health risks.
• Gathers on-the-ground intel on disease outbreaks and other public health events through its network of Regional Medical Offices (Ottawa, London, Delhi, Manila).

The Department also:

• 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.

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.

• 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.
• 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 program participation, foster community planning and partnerships.

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:

• 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.

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.

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).

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
• Certificates of Identity
• Travel documents to non-Canadians (e.g. refugee travel document, certificate of identity)
• 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 70% of all Canadians hold a valid passport.
• There are over 24.6 million passports in circulation.
• 93% of Canadian passport holders reside within 50 km of a passport point of service.
• Pre-pandemic, 99%^{Footnote 4} of clients received their passport within established service standards.
• The client satisfaction rate in 2019-2020 was 94%^{Footnote 4}.
• Return to regular travel and passport processing is a high priority for the Department and its partners.

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

• 26 offices across all provinces

Operations Support Centre

• 24/7, Gatineau

Case Processing Centres

• Sydney, Ottawa, Mississauga, and Edmonton

Resettlement Operations Centre

• Gatineau

Client Support Centre (National Call Centre)

• Montréal

Passport (delivered by Service Canada)

• 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 10,276 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

• 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.
• The Department has been expanding its delivery partners. Communities have a new 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.
• Contribute to Canada’s international obligations and commitments on refugee protection.
• Build 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, including the following key relationships:

• Bilateral
  • United States; Mexico; European Commission; other like-minded countries (e.g. Australia and Germany).
• Multilateral (State-to-State)
  • Migration Five (Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand).
  • Intergovernmental Consultations on Migration, Asylum and Refugees; Regional Conference on Migration; UN Network on Migration; Global Forum on Migration and Development; Global Compact for Migration; Development Working Group on Migration Narratives; MIRPS; ATCR Taskforce; GRSI State Network on Community Sponsorship.
• International Organizations
  • International Organization for Migration.
  • United Nations Refugee Agency.
  • Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
  • International Labour Organization; and
  • International Civil Aviation Organization.

Impacts of COVID-19 on IRCC

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 restricting entry to Canada. Exemptions carefully carved out for essential workers and support to Canada (e.g. agricultural workers) and other key cohorts in support of Canada’s economic recovery (e.g. international students).
• IRCC workforce impacted by stay-at-home orders and overseas offices closures.
• Partners were limited to essential services, gradual reopening: visa application centres, service provider organizations, Service Canada.

Recovery

Border Facilitation:

• Implementing new pathways to permanent residence as well as introducing new measures for temporary residents.

Going Digital:

• Accelerated by the pandemic, IRCC has implemented various digital services (e.g. video oath ceremonies, online citizenship tests, electronic grant applications) in order to mitigate the challenges of paper-based and in-person processes.

Proof of Vaccination Credentials:

• Work continues at IRCC to prepare for a Proof of Vaccination Credential (PVC) launch in order to facilitate inbound/outbound travel and economic recovery.

Digital Platform Modernization:

• Work continues on Digital Platform Modernization, building the “digital runway” to launch digital services, giving IRCC the ability to begin offering services through modern channels.

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 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 immigration and citizenship offices

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

• 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 August 31, 2021

Headquarters Divisions

• Geographic Operations (RIO)
• Resettlement Operations (ROD)
• Innovation, Design & Delivery (ROI)
• 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)

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

IRCC International Network Key Facts

• 35% of 2020 IRCC Final Decisions for temporary resident caseload
• 35% of 2020 IRCC Final Decisions for permanent resident caseload
• 60 Overseas Offices
• 1 Virtual Office (In Canada)
• 9 Area Offices
• 2,481 Promotion and Migration diplomacy activities worldwide in 2020
• 164 Visa Application Centres (VACs) in 108 countries
• 1,044 Locally Engaged Staff
• Approximately 330 Canada Based Staff (positions)
• 206 HQ staff
• 185 Virtual (in Canada)