1. Current Policy Context for
Settlement and Integration Presentation to the ARAISA Conference September 20, 2010

2. Vision Statement & Outcomes
“Welcoming and supporting newcomers to join in building vibrant communities and a prosperous Canada”
Canada is a destination of choice
Immigration contributes to increased economic growth, innovation, entrepreneurship and competitiveness
The benefits of immigration are shared across Canada
Communities welcome and support newcomers
Immigrants participate to their full potential, economically and socially
The immigration system is trusted and valued
Social and humanitarian commitments are strengthened
Endorsed by FPT Ministers responsible for immigration, June

3. Guiding Principles for How Jurisdictions Will Work Together
Partnership and Collaboration
Adaptability and Flexibility
Responsiveness to Regional Needs
Client-Centred Focus
Accountability and Transparency
Partnership and Collaboration
Reflecting shared jurisdiction over immigration, governance and delivery of Canada’s immigration program include strong partnerships between federal, provincial and territorial governments, building on respective strengths and expertise in support of common objectives.
Adaptability and Flexibility
The immigration system is flexible in responding to changing and emerging needs, pressures and evolving public, client and stakeholder requirements.
Responsiveness to Regional Needs
Immigration policies and programs balance provincial/territorial, regional, community and national needs, including demographic pressures. Regional responsiveness is achieved through complementary policies and programs.
Client-Centred Focus
Immigration programs and policies are responsive to and reflective of client needs (e.g., immigrants, employers and communities), with the view to improving service and efficiency, as well as individual outcomes.
Accountability and Transparency
Policy and program decisions are supported by strong policy, program and operational analysis and are based on the best available evidence. Accountability and transparency are advanced through the timely sharing of information, communication, public reporting and the development of joint program outcomes

4. Societal Outcomes
Generally successful societal integration outcomes
85% of eligible immigrants naturalize
Voting rates up to 80% among those who lived in Canada for more than 25 years
But there are concerns about economic outcomes
Though recent data on Federal Skilled Workers indicates overall positive economic outcomes for this group, economic outcomes across the board are not as good.
Earnings of all immigrant men are declining relative to Canadian born counterparts - from 85% in 1985 to 63% 2005; a more dramatic drop for immigrant women – 85% to 56%
Incidence of low income among new immigrants was 21.4% in 2004, two times higher than among non-immigrants.
And an uneven geographical settlement pattern
Concentration of newcomers in large census metropolitan areas and distinct locales within cities; concerns about an uneven distribution of the benefits of immigration, and potential social isolation or socio-economic disadvantage of newcomers as a result of residential concentration
Many newcomers have a positive view of their immigration experience to Canada
72% believe they have made the right decision to come to Canada
Positive contribution of settlement programming
Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration recognized settlement and resettlement services as highly valued
At the societal level, outcomes give us a snapshot of how newcomers are integrating across the economic, civic, social and cultural spectrum.
Generally we are doing well generally on civic and cultural indicators but there are some causes for concern – particularly with respect to the declining economic outcomes.
We have looked at these broad outcomes for newcomers from the national level. Right now it is unclear what regional disparities may exist in these outcomes. For example, in some jurisdictions, there may be more of a geographical dispersion of immigrants and that can create distinct challenges in service delivery to newcomers.
Also, we cannot directly attribute societal outcomes of newcomers to our settlement programming since the pathways to newcomer integration are influenced by the interaction of all of these dimensions of integration, as well as a range of demographic and social factors, individual choices and the actions of other policy actors. (It is important that we distinguish between settlement outcomes, client and program outcomes and outputs as we move forward in assessing our ROI on settlement programming)

5. Settlement Outcomes Across Canada
All jurisdictions are making significant investments in settlement and integration programming
Common priorities are language training and labour market integration
At this time, there is no common understanding of what constitutes “successful” settlement outcomes, or common methodology frameworks for measuring and reporting on them.
There are different governance arrangements and service delivery mechanisms across the country
All jurisdictions were asked to provide information on settlement programming funding, priorities, outputs and outcomes measurement. In terms of our settlement programming it comes as no surprise that language and labour market integration continue to be priority areas for investment. PT’s are also finding innovative ways to meet the settlement needs of their clients and address their issues e.g., youth programming in NB and ethno cultural collaboration and enhancing community integration in Alberta.
Clearly we are all committed to settlement programming . But right now we are unable to determine what constitutes “successful” settlement programming in a consistent way. To do this we need to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of our settlement programs at the client level . Looking at the outcomes specific to our clients help us ensure their continuous improvement.

6. Settlement Programming Outcomes Across Canada
All jurisdictions are committed to identifying settlement as part of broader performance measurement strategies
While “desired” outcomes of settlement programming may be similar in nature, they are articulated and measured differently across jurisdictions; consequently:
a national set of common outcomes and indicators to be measured has not been established
there is very little comparable and consistent data on outcomes across the country
Most jurisdictions are facing challenges with measuring settlement outcomes because of the complexity involved.
Although all jurisdictions wish to improve their strategies to be able to measure outcomes, they are at different stages of this work
No clear correlation between client outcomes and investment in settlement programming can be nationally demonstrated at this time
While some jurisdictions are more advanced in the development of outcomes and indicators, most jurisdictions are at the starting line – the groundwork is being laid and the actual work on settlement outcomes is about to take off.

7. A National Framework for Settlement Outcomes
Develop a set of shared outcomes to be measured, including appropriate indicators and methodology for measuring and reporting
This will enable an assessment of outcomes across jurisdictions and the development of a roadmap for improved outcomes
Establish the outcomes evidence base for better accountability, and policy, program and investment decisions
This will guide improvements in settlement programming
Demonstrate Canada’s successes, from coast to coast to coast, with newcomer settlement and integration
This will ultimately promote Canada’s position as a destination of choice for immigrants
The early work of the FPT Settlement Working Group would be to develop a common understanding of what constitutes settlement outcomes and , to arrive at a common understanding of the form of the national framework.
We will also take a closer look at service delivery mechanisms across jurisdictions and identify promising practices.
Ultimately we will develop a common evidence-base of settlement indicators, which will contribute to any assessment, in the future, of governance models. The longer-term goal of the settlement outcomes work that we would be undertaking would be to signal in Canada, and to the rest of the world, our ongoing success in the settlement and integration of our newcomers.
ANNEX (next slide): maps out the strategy to move this work forward.
We look forward to advancing this work to you.

8. CIC Policy Frame
Settlement Program works with other CIC programs along a continuum
Immigration/
Integration Continuum
MULTICULTURALISM
OVERSEAS/ SELECTION AND PROMOTION
ARRIVAL
CITIZENSHIP
SETTLEMENT/RESETTLEMENT
Early post-arrival years
Programs contribute to both sides to differing degrees
Two-Way Approach
The Settlement Program has the most significant impact in the promotion, pre-selection and early post-arrival stages of immigration through critical investments in needs assessment and referrals, information and orientation, language training, labour market access and fostering community connections.
It works in tandem with other settlement services, such as:
the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP), which provides a range of income support benefits as well as immediate and essential services to resettled refugees.
The Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), which provides information and path-finding and referral services on foreign credential recognition (FCR) to help newcomers and prospective immigrants make the best use of their skills and qualifications in the labour market.
Citizenship promotion starts at the pre-migration stage, with naturalisation as a key milestone. The promotion of citizenship, however, continues beyond naturalisation as the exercise of rights and responsibilities that come with citizenship is critical to the full participation of newcomers in the long-term.
While the Multiculturalism Program may have an impact in the decisions of potential immigrants to migrate to Canada, and in fostering welcoming communities for newcomers after arrival, its significance is more long-term in nature. It focuses on building an integrated, socially cohesive society characterized by intercultural understanding, pride in Canada’s history and core democratic values, and equal opportunity for Canadians of all ethnic origins.
Society/Institutions
Newcomers
2-Way Street
Foster societal and institutional change to adapt to newcomers
Support to newcomers to facilitate their adaptation to host society

9. CIC’s 5 Year Strategic Plan (2010-2015)
Six Strategic Goals
Immigration that supports a prosperous future for Canada
A renewed tradition of refugee protection and support for families
An integrated society with a strengthened commitment to citizenship
A healthy, safe and secure Canada
A transformed, innovative suite of programs and services
Strong management excellence and accountability
Canada ranks among the world’s most diverse and culturally rich societies. Maintaining its promise means ensuring that integration challenges are addressed and that appropriate policy interventions are taken to support optimal outcomes for newcomers and citizens. An integrated society promotes intercultural and interfaith dialogue, supports enduring bonds between all communities, and strengthens social cohesion.
CIC’s responsibilities in relation to settlement, integration, citizenship and multiculturalism require sustained attention to citizens’ rights and responsibilities. An integrated approach to this policy area enables CIC to take advantage of the expertise of its partners and stakeholders—individuals, service providing organizations, employers, and different levels of government—to build a Canada where all Canadians can participate and succeed to their full potential.

10. Key Strategic Actions
Develop a framework for settlement programming, delivery and governance that supports positive newcomer settlement outcomes; that contributes to longer-term economic, social, cultural and civic integration; that encourages optimal intergovernmental cooperation; and that helps define the federal role in providing settlement services
In collaboration with partners, implement the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications, including expansion of the overseas platform for prospective immigrants
Further develop and implement the Citizenship Action Plan to strengthen the value of Canadian citizenship, placing an emphasis on the responsibilities it carries and on the rights it confers; developing measures to support civic literacy; and helping Canadians understand, value and practice their citizenship
Given the centrality of language to this policy area, develop a policy framework for language assessment across the immigration, integration and citizenship continuum
Implement the Multiculturalism Program’s new objectives
Develop and implement a strategic framework for the Multiculturalism Grants and Contributions Program to ensure more targeted and effective outcomes
Continue to advance Canada’s anti-racism framework, including activities to combat anti-Semitism

11. Various Levels of Outcomes
Societal Outcomes
The goal is to encourage newcomers to be fully engaged in economic, social, political and cultural life in Canada.
Various methods to measure these outcomes including:
Statistics Canada data
Longitudinal Studies
Surveys
Difficult to attribute outcomes to CIC or other level of government interventions; but serve as societal measure of Canada’s overall success in integration
Settlement Outcomes Across Canada
Immigrants experience inclusion, a sense of belonging, and life satisfaction, having fully realized the social and economic benefits of immigrating to Canada. Canadians embrace immigrants and their contributions to building vibrant communities and a prosperous Canada.
Various methods to measure these outcomes including:
iCAMS and other systems to collect quantitative data about settlement services provided
Client feedback
Exit Testing
Public Opinion Research
Follow-up surveys
Focus Testing
Easier to attribute outcomes to CIC interventions
CIC Strategic Outcomes
Newcomers and citizens participate to their full potential in fostering an integrated society.
The Program Activity Architecture (PAA) articulates how a department allocates and manages the resources under its control to achieve intended results.
CIC Settlement Program Outcomes
To help newcomers settle and eventually integrate into Canadian society.

12. Current Challenges and Priorities
Integrated Society
Understanding links among integration, citizenship and multiculturalism
Pre-arrival/overseas services and in-Canada orientation
Expanding pre-arrival services overseas and developing consistent needs assessment approaches in Canada
Labour market outcomes
Focus on improving labour market outcomes for immigrants
Language
Testing before arrival and developing assessment tools to measure learners’ progress
Governance and delivery models
Reviewing alternate service delivery models (e.g. vouchers) and the role of municipalities
Engagement of stakeholders
Building capacity of existing and new stakeholders to contribute to integration e.g. employers
Measuring outcomes
Strengthening accountability, improving reporting on outcomes across Canada and informing national policy and programs

13. Settlement Services Snap-Shot