Managing Migration: A shared Responsibility Glen Linder, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Introduction: Canada’s view of migration Canada’s managed migration system is built on values of diversity, inclusion, pluralism If well-managed, migration has a positive impact on host and destination countries and communities Innovation, contribution to society, contribution to host economy Remittances as important development drivers (financial or social, such as education, skills and expertise, technology transfer, and advocacy and lobbying) Focus on what brings us together, not what divides us For too long we as an international community have been focussing on immediate problems with knee-jerk reactions. If we see diversity as a threat we miss the benefits of migration Migration is not a “crisis” or problem to be fixed but rather a complex reality that has both opportunities and challenges Well-managed migration allows a country to benefit from diversity, inclusion, pluralism

Canada’s migration experience at a glance 15 million Immigrants since 1867 3.7 million New permanent residents in last 15 years 260,067 New permanent residents in 2014 213,496 New Temporary Resident work permits issued in 2014 126,679 New Temporary Resident study permits issued in 2014 86% Percentage of permanent residents who go on to become citizens 262,574 New citizens in 2014 1 in 5 Canadians born outside the country One … of the highest per capita rates of immigration in the world

Canada’s model is unique… Canada is a country built by ongoing waves of immigrants from around the world A nation with three founding peoples (Indigenous, French, British) we have evolved into an ethno-cultural, linguistic and religious mosaic A top immigrant-receiving country FOREIGN-BORN One in five Canadians were born outside Canada – 20.6% of the total population. ETHNIC GROUPS About 200 ethnic origins. Rise in mixed ethnic ancestries – 42.1% of total population compared to 38.2% in 2001. LANGUAGES More than 200 languages spoken as a mother tongue, in addition to English and French. VISIBLE MINORITIES Visible minorities accounted for 19.1% of Canada’s population, up from 13.4% in 2001. Largest minority groups were South Asians, Chinese, Blacks and Filipinos. RELIGION Majority (67.3%) of Canadians were affiliated with Christian religions, but those reporting non-Christian religions (i.e. Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Buddhist) rose from 6.3% in 2001 to 7.2% of the population. Projected to double by 2031.

It is an example that engages a wide array of actors Federal Government Municipal Governments Provincial Territorial Governments INCLUSIVE LAWS/POLICIES Citizenship Act Multiculturalism Act Canadian Human Rights Act Charter of Rights and Freedoms Immigration and Refugee Protection Act ENABLING PROGRAMS Settlement Foreign Credential Recognition Labour Market Health, Education, Social Services NEWCOMERS Economic Immigrants Family Class Immigrants Refugees WELCOMING SOCIETY Employers Regulatory Bodies Professional Associations Educational/Public Institutions Service Provider Organizations Established Canadians TWO-WAY MODEL Shared responsibility: managing migration together Involvement of all levels of government, private sector, civil society, employers, migrants themselves Legislation supports inclusion, offers various migration streams as alternatives to irregular migration

IMMIGRANT OUTCOMES This balanced, shared approach fosters a positive view of migration and supports inclusion Overall, Canada’s story is positive… Strong successes for Canada in immigrant integration are mostly in social and civic integration. Evidence is positive on the ultimate benchmarks of success – sense of belonging, social trust and active citizenship. Meeting the basic needs of newcomers is also a good news story. …while challenges remain, the benefits outweigh them. The small community of Altona, Man., was settled in the 1880s by Mennonite refugees. In 2016, it opened its doors to five families of Syrian Muslims Nightime walks and other pleasures: Syrian refugees learn to love smalltown Canada A couple of weeks ago, they went for a walk in the dark for the first time in five years. For Elyas, it was the first time he had been out at night in his life. Instead of the sounds of bombs and gunfire, all they heard were the chirps of crickets. Welcome to Ottawa's Little Syria: 400 refugees create new community on Donald Street Syrian refugees living in Canada for a matter of months are among those raising funds to support victims of the Fort McMurray fire

The Global Compact on Migration: A shared global approach FUTURE PERSPECTIVES The Global Compact on Migration: A shared global approach Working together, domestically, regionally and internationally is the only way to truly address challenges and to promote the benefits of migration Take responsibility sharing to the next level: regionally, globally Move away from trying to stop migration towards better governing it at home and through regional/global cooperation Opportunity to highlight and facilitate benefits of migration, enshrine this perspective in Global Compact

The RCM is an ideal venue for regional collaboration Meaningful engagement and consultation must be the first step to developing a Global Compact RCM: a regional consultative process on migration opportunity for regional consultation and, going forward, migration management capacity building Showcase this model through IOM’s Global RCP Meetings

Canada’s vision: Key elements of the Global Compact Consultations before negotiations IOM as Secretary General of the Migration Compact Conference in 2018 Inclusive, collaborative, consultative, practical compact that: Sets out characteristics of well-managed migration and encourages states to develop systems along these lines: how to achieve safe, orderly and regular Defines global governance of migration Reaffirms and improves common understanding of existing international norms and conventions related to migration, and advocates for their implementation Identifies existing cooperative approaches to addressing international migration movements, including crises Identifies where there are gaps Develops solutions for gap areas

The Way Forward Consultations: collaborate and cooperate regionally and globally, making the most of existing forums Use international focus on the Global Compacts to ensure a more people-centered, holistic approach to global migration and mobility Humanize migrants, respect for human rights of migrants Aim to change to a more positive narrative on migration