1 Immigrant and Refugee Integration The Canadian Way Concepts and Context San Jose, Costa Rica June 23, 2005 Citizenship and Immigration Canada Citoyenneté et Immigration Canada

2 OVERVIEW Katharine Cornfield Director, Integration Promotion Integration Branch, CIC

3 MANAGED MIGRATION TO CANADA  Government establishes annual plan for immigration and reports to Parliament  Goal is to select and admit approximately 225,000 permanent residents each year  Balance of economic immigrants, family members and refugees is intended to facilitate successful integration  Canada also admits thousands of temporary residents each year

4 TYPES OF MIGRATION Temporary Residents Students Temporary Workers Permanent Residents Economic Non-Economic (Family Class) Refugees Resettled Asylum Without Status

5 THE IMMIGRATION ACT  The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act affirms fundamental principles of non-discrimination and universality  The Act articulates three basic goals for selecting immigrants for permanent residence based on our economic, social, and humanitarian values  The Act also defines visitor status for students and temporary workers.

6 IMMIGRATION AND THE CONSTITUTION n Constitutionally, immigration is a shared jurisdictional responsibility: federal government responsible for entry, asylum, processing and removal activities some provincial involvement in immigrant and overseas refugee selection and in settlement and integration services n Constitutionally, health, education and social services are provincial responsibilities with federal transfer payments. n Permanent residents, including refugees, have full access to social services, health services and education. n Federal government provides some specialized services to permanent residents and refugees.

7 A SNAPSHOT OF DIVERSITY IN CANADA  40 years ago, the top 10 immigrant source countries were European  In 2003, the top five source countries for immigrants were Asian  The characteristics of Canada’s population are changing

8 CLUSTERED IN THREE CITIES  Canada’s immigrant and refugee population largely urban:  73% of the immigrants settle in - Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal  Resettled refugees also destined to medium-sized and large communities  Key tool to social cohesion – effective immigrant integration

9 SOCIAL COHESION - THE CANADIAN CONTEXT n Canada’s history is built upon three key elements of diversity n Census 2001 – 5.4 million individuals born outside of the country – 18% of our population n Four million individuals identified as visible minorities– 13% of our total population of 29.6 million n Diversity presents the country with opportunities

10 CANADA’S SHARED CITIZENSHIP MODEL  Canadians have developed a unique model of “shared citizenship”  Key success factors: shared core values, shared rights and responsibilities  Common goal of building an inclusive society

11 ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES n Multiculturalism fosters cultural participation, active citizenship and participation in Canada’s civic life, and strengthens connections among Canadians n In 10 years – 100% of our net labour force growth will come from immigrants n In 20 years – 100% of our net population growth will come from immigration

12 CANADA’S LEGAL FRAMEWORK  Canada’s comprehensive legal framework provides essential constructs to support social cohesion:  The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms supported by: n the Canadian Bill of Rights (1960) n the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (1962/2002) n the Official Languages Act (1969/85) n the Canadian Human Rights Act (1977/85) n the Citizenship Act (1985) n the Employment Equity Act (1986/95) n the Multiculturalism Act (1988)

13 PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS OF MIGRATION n Public support is essential to sustain Canada’s immigration and integration programs. n Canada measures public attitudes at regular intervals through opinion polling and research. n To maintain public support, Canada actively promotes basic understanding of the economic and social benefits of immigration, supports successful integration of newcomers and combats racism and discrimination through public education and outreach.

14 CANADA’S INTEGRATION MODEL Katharine Cornfield, Director, Integration Promotion Integration Branch, CIC

15 WHAT IS INTEGRATION? The Federal Immigrant Integration Strategy (1992) defines integration as: The ability to contribute, free of barriers, to every dimension of Canadian life – economic, social, cultural and political. The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (2002) states as an objective: 3. (1) e to promote the successful integration of permanent residents into Canada, while recognizing that integration involves mutual obligations for new immigrants and Canadian society

16 INTEGRATION: THE CANADIAN MODEL  Facilitate newcomers to settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society  Two-way process –requires active participation of both newcomers and society  Ultimate objective- acquisition of citizenship

17 POLICY UNDERPINNINGS  2-way process – rights and responsibilities  Acknowledgment of shared values  Language proficiency  Financial self-sufficiency  Socio-economic participation

18 PARTNERSHIP

19 CANADIAN INTEGRATION MODEL 1- Canadian Orientation Abroad Services Abroad 3- Settlement åResettlement Assistance Program (RAP) åPrivate Sponsorship åImmigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program (ISAP), including ELT åLanguage Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) åHost Program åPartnerships with other government departments, other governments, 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