1 The Canadian Way Presentation by Rosaline Frith Director General, Integration Branch Citizenship and Immigration Canada European Population Forum 2004 Thematic Session 4: International Migration: Promoting management and integration Geneva, January 14, 2004

2 Source: LIDS Immigrants to Canada - a snapshot Number of Immigrants by Category, (CIC Facts and Figures 2003)

3 Immigration is Important to Population Growth

4 Major integration challenges Changing source countries  culture and language Labour Market Access  credential recognition  foreign experience recognition  skill bridging Language Barriers  job hunting  community involvement  economic performance Dispersion/Absorptive Capacity  economic reality of communities  settlement capacity and broader based community support  concentrations of newcomers in large cities where services are overtaxed or a few newcomers in small communities where little in the way of settlement and/or mainstream services exist, can both hinder the rate of integration Partnerships  provinces  non-governmental organizations  employers  public

5 Changing source countries Pre-1961 less than 3% of immigrants came from Asia, while in the 1990s 58% came from Asian Pacific countries.

6 Lack of foreign credential and work experience recognition Statistics Canada, Census 2001 %Employment Rates for Canadian-born and Recent Immigrants by Level of Education Canadian born are employed at disproportionately higher rates than recent immigrants with the same credentials. The differential is worse for women than men.  Canadian men  Immigrant men  Canadian women  Immigrant women

7 Lack of adult official language skills significant n Language Ability Trends Immigration by Language Ability, Principal Applicants and Dependants (15 Years Or Older) The number of immigrants with neither English nor French has also risen steadily over the last 3 years, climbing to approximately 38% in CIC, Facts and Figures 2002

8 Immigrant children too have language needs The number of immigrant children under 15 years of age who cannot speak an official language at arrival in Canada is growing: n In 1991, 62 percent (27,324) did not speak an official language. n In 2001, 70 percent (40,258) spoke neither English nor French. Number of immigrant children under 15 years of age by language ability

9 Most immigrants concentrate in a few major urban centres In 2001, 94% of immigrants who arrived during the 1990s were living in Canada's metropolitan areas, compared with 64% of the total population who lived in these areas. 75% of immigrants live in 3 major urban centres. CIC, Facts and Figures 2002

10 Shared responsibility Partnerships are vital Government of Canada: n Responsible for entry, processing and removal n Targeted funding and infrastructure for settlement Provinces/Territories: n Varying bilateral agreements to design, deliver and administer immigrant selection and settlement programs with federal compensation All Provinces: n Provide health, education, social and other services n Provide social assistance for refugee claimants Voluntary Sector: n Deliver settlement programs and want to be included in the policy development Regulatory/Licensing Bodies: n Responsible for certification/ recognition of foreign credentials - provincially mandated Employers: n Employers face labour shortages but favour North American training and experience Municipalities: n Some want more - some less General Public: n Respect and acceptance builds social cohesion and minimizes risk of exclusion

11 Canada’s integration model n INTEGRATION, not segregation or assimilation n A two-way process Enables newcomers to adapt, settle and integrate into Canadian society Creates a welcoming environment open to change n The ultimate goal is citizenship

12 The Canadian integration model 1- Canadian Orientation Abroad Services Abroad 3- Settlement åImmigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program(ISAP) åLanguage Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) åHost Program åResettlement Assistance Program (RAP) åPrivate Sponsorship åPartnerships with other government departments, other ågovernments, international/national and local organizations 4- Citizenship åCitizenship Preparation åGrant of Canadian Citizenship åFull Participation in Canadian Society Integration Programs Partnership Delivery Community Capacity Building 2- Reception in Canada å“Welcome to Canada” at Ports of Entry åRefugee Reception at Ports of Entry Services In Canada A B C Citizenship Services D Is a Canadian citizen under the provisions of the Citizenship Act and, as such, is entitled to all the rights and privileges and is subject to all the duties and responsibilities of a Canadian citizen est citoyen canadien aux termes de la Loi sur la citoyenneté et, à ce titre, jouit de tous les droits et privilèges et est assujetti(e) à tous les devoirs et responsabilités d'un citoyen canadien. MINISTER - MINISTRE John Doe Certificate of Canadian Citizenship Certificat de Citoyenneté Canadienne

13 Settlement programs n Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program - provides realistic view of life in Canada before arrival and follows with social and economic bridging services in Canada. n Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada - Language instruction for adult newcomers in English or French. n Host Program - Buddy-type program which matches newcomers with an in- Canada host to support settlement and integration. n Resettlement Assistance Program - Income support, reception, temporary accommodation and basic orientation services for government assisted refugees. n Private Sponsorship - Groups in Canada take on responsibility for resettling refugees from abroad by providing necessary financial and emotional support. Includes Joint Assistance Sponsorship in which private sponsors and government share responsibilities.

14 Canadian citizenship Citizenship values:  freedom, equality, fairness, respect and rule of law Citizenship Preparation:  need sufficient knowledge of English or French  learn about rights and responsibilities, voting procedures, the political system and Canada as a nation Grant of Citizenship:  must be 18 and a permanent resident  must have lived in Canada for at least three years Participation in Canadian Society:  creates a sense of belonging among Canadians and newcomers  promotes and celebrates citizenship activities eg. Over 2500 citizenship ceremonies annually, Canada’s Citizenship Week

15 Looking to the future Citizenship and Immigration Canada looking to the future: n ongoing program review n more information abroad n upgrade language abroad and in Canada n improve gap assessment n match numbers and needs n promote citizenship