Immigrant Settlement and Integration

2  enables successful economic, social and cultural outcomes for immigrants/refugees  develops program supports to address  different challenges facing different client groups eg. skilled workers; refugees etc.;  potential immigrants/refugees who have applied to immigrate and could benefit from early integration supports; and  future immigrants that Canada seeks to attract for whom innovative and flexible integration strategies might be a draw factor.  engages a number of partners and stakeholders A successful immigration program requires a strong integration component which… Immigrant Settlement and Integration

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

4 The Immigration Act The Immigration Act  The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act affirms fundamental principles of non-discrimination and universality  The Act articulates three basic goals based on our economic, social, and humanitarian values  Canada’s immigration system reflects our history, our character and our values

Top Ten Source Countries Rankings 1984 and China104 India42 Philippines723 Pakistan28144 United States375 Iran12206 United Kingdom597 Romania South Korea24 France Outcomes - Canada as a Model - A strong foundation has supported immigrant diversity. Strong Foundation: The United Nations recognizes Canada as a successful multicultural society. Several indicators:  Charter protection for immigrants, temporary residents and refugee claimants  broad access to social services, education and the labour market  timely and transparent system of citizenship acquisition with approximately 85% of immigrants becoming Canadian citizens  significant governmental and non-governmental investments in integration programs Shifting Immigrant Diversity Increasing ethnic diversity has resulted from shifting immigrant source countries over the past 20 years However, current /future diverse client groups require different supports to meet their unique/ diverse needs... Immigrant Settlement and Integration

6 (data presented relates to persons admitted to Canada before the new IRPA legislation was applied to their cases) 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50, Canadian Average The thick black line represents the earnings of skilled workers 1 year after arrival The earnings of immigrant skilled workers were 25% above the Canadian average in the 1980’s... their earnings were 32% below the Canadian average in 2003 (2002 cohort group) 2002 EMPLOYMENT EARNINGS OF SKILLED WORKERS Outcomes - Economic performance is declining for recent immigrants The income of skilled worker immigrants has been deteriorating since the early 1990s: 1980s – 25% ↑Canadian-born average one year after arrival 2003 – 32% ↓ the Canadian-born average one year after arrival Several contributing factors: Labour market conditions Lack of recognition of foreign credentials and foreign work experience Language, literacy and essential skills gaps Immigrant Settlement and Integration

7 Outcomes - Diversity of languages has increased… Shifting source countries has meant an increase in linguistic diversity: Fewer immigrants have English as their mother tongue – from 20% in 1984 to 9% in % of new immigrants have Mandarin as their mother tongue, compared to less than 1% twenty years ago Arabic is now the third most common mother tongue of new immigrants, accounting for 8% in 2004 Mother tongue of new immigrants Cantonese French Punjabi Spanish English Arabic Mandarin But, language and literacy skills are becoming an increasing barrier to successful integration: 60% of recent and established immigrants (compared to 37% of the Canadian-born) do not have sufficient literacy skills to meet the challenges of a knowledge-based economy and to enable strong civic participation. …while literacy abilities have declined Immigrant Settlement and Integration

8 1. Pre-Selection, Pre-Arrival Information/Preparation Canadian Orientation Abroad (COA) 3. Adaptation (See TAB 3) Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program (ISAP) Host Program Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) - Enhanced Language Training (ELT) - Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) Integration Programs Partnership Delivery Community Capacity Building 2. Arrival/Reception in Canada (See TAB 2) “Welcome to Canada” at Ports of Entry Refugee Reception at Ports of Entry Citizenship Services A. C. 4. Citizenship (See TAB 4) Citizenship Preparation Grant of Canadian Citizenship Full Participation in Canadian Society D. B. 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 Certificate of Canadian Citizenship John Doe Going to Canada-Immigration Portal (Portal) Newcomer's Introduction to Canada Program Supports - Range of integration programs have been developed over time. B. (See TAB 1) There is a strong foundation to build upon, but…. Services In Canada Services Abroad Immigrant Settlement and Integration Canadian Language Benchmark Levels 1-7 In general, Canadian Language Benchmark Levels 7-10, with a bridge to work component

9 … we have heard that some program limitations are emerging but we need to build evidence to prove this is the case …  Lack of breadth; client-specific information; availability. COA PORTAL ISAP  Lack of awareness; regional/municipal/community specific information; client-specific modules eg. labour market.  Lack of case-management approach to deal with specific client-needs; paid internships for employment experience; client-specific mentoring programs HOST  Lack of Hosts - long waiting lists of newcomers; advertising/promotion; client-specific programs eg. mentoring LINC  Lack of connection to individual’s mother tongue; assessment while individual is abroad; client-specific training; child minding services (available to adults only) ELT  Lack of assessment and training for individuals while abroad (available to adults only)  Lack of RAP services covering basic resettlement needs; limited health-care coverage (income support only available up to 12 months/temporary housing for 4-6 weeks) RAP Immigrant Settlement and Integration Note: Programs offered in Canada are not available to immigrants who obtain citizenship

10 …pointing towards to a need to move from a program approach to a client-centred approach.  address increasingly complex labour market requirements  meet specific gender, youth and seniors’ needs  respond to the unique needs of today’s refugees  equip newcomers to adapt to cultural norms of Canadian society  address needs as they change over the time continuum or adaptation Integration is becoming increasingly complex… An essentially “one-size fits all” approach does not always: Immigrant Settlement and Integration

11 Canada-Quebec Accord (Full Devolution) BC/MB - CIC Funding/Province Manages Programs AB/ON - CIC Funding/Co-Management with Province Others & Territories – CIC Funding and Program Management Multi-Stakeholder Engagement A range of partners and stakeholders are engaged to address a variety of integration needs. There is an increasing array of programs, initiatives and partnerships to address integration needs. VARIOUS DELIVERY ARRANGEMENTS Community Associations Boards of Community Trade Ethnic Organizations Municipalities Service Provider Organizations Immigrants & Refugees Communities Service Employers Immigrants & Refugees Educational Institutions Need to create coordinated approaches that clarify roles/responsibilities, strategically maximize collective capacity and respond to local needs/opportunities in order to improve outcomes for immigrants and refugees. A patchwork of federal-provincial-territorial delivery arrangements and a lack of coordination between federal departments and with various stakeholders creates duplication, overlap and gaps in programs and services. Faith-based organizations Faith-based organizations Immigrant Settlement and Integration

Assessing the Multiple and Complex Dimensions of Integration 2.2 Advancing a Client-Centred Approach to Programming 2.3 Clarifying Roles and Responsibilities to Harness Potential Contributions of Partners and Stakeholders 2.4 Promoting Societal Awareness and Engagement Thoughts for the Future Immigrant Settlement and Integration The current approach may not be adequate for present and future challenges which points towards a new approach to integration supports which requires: Immigrant Settlement and Integration

13 Advancing a client-centred approach to programming Moving from programs to an approach based on client profile needs... To provide the “right supports” to the “right people” at the “right time” See Annex for detailed illustrative examples Immigrant Settlement and Integration COA PORTAL ISAP HOST LINC ELT RAP Foreign credential recognition Bridge to work Mentoring networks Language training for industry specific occupational groups; Internships to gain Canadian work experience Workforce; women at home, refugee / senior women Childminding support; spousal abuse prevention, parenting skills Mentorship programs Connect with communities, schools and peers - enhancing settlement workers in schools initiative Marginalization/isolation Awareness of existing social services Social networks Literacy and life skills Resettlement Assistance Program- income support. Socio-psychological stability; health, basic life skills, accommodation Literacy, language training LABOUR MARKET GENDER YOUTH SENIORS REFUGEES .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. LABOUR MARKET GENDER YOUTH SENIORS REFUGEES Canadian Orientation Abroad Going to Canada Immigration Portal Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program A volunteer- based matching program Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada Enhanced Language Training Resettlement Assistance Program

14 Coherent Federal Approach Improved Alignment with Provinces and Territories Stronger Role for Municipalities and Communities Broader Partnerships Municipalities Boards of Trade Service Provider Organizations Employers Provinces Faith-based Organizations Ethnic Organizations Harness potential contributions of partners and stakeholders... while improving overall accountability/performance measurement capacity. Immigrant Settlement and Integration A rigorous assessment of the multiple and complex dimensions to integration will help identify contributions from partners/stakeholders towards enhancing local programs and services to improve integration outcomes. Communities

15  Successful economic integration is dependent on successful social integration  Integration efforts are complemented by engaged and actively accommodating communities  Informing Canadians’ and immigrants’ views/expectations around immigration and integration, including: Promoting Societal Awareness and Engagement to Improve Outcomes “welcoming communities” for small, medium and large cities to encourage immigrant/refugee settlement in all parts of Canada tools to support public education - including anti-racism and conflict resolution strategies engage the Canadian public and immigrants/refugees as part of a broader dialogue on citizenship issues... to create conditions for integration and inclusion. Immigrant Settlement and Integration