IRCC, Deputy Minister, Transition Binder, 2024 - Departmental Overview (2024)

January 2024

Table of Contents

Introduction to IRCC

• Legal frameworks
• Canada’s managed approach to immigration
• Departmental Plan
• Prioritizing fairness, equity, and inclusion

Two Main Pathways

• Balanced approach

Health & Safety

• Safeguarding the health, safety and security of Canadians

Settle and Integrate into Canadian Life

• Settlement and integration

For Canadians - Citizenship & Passports

• Pathways to Citizenship & Passports

Delivering our Services

• IRCC’s operational network in Canada
• IRCC’s overseas operations

Key Partners

• Provinces and territories
• Federal partners
• International partners

Annexes

• Domestic Offices
• International Network
• Permanent residence – a closer look

Introduction to IRCC

The Department’s work is grounded in strong legal frameworks

Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) – (2002)
Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR)

The Act also provides the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) with jurisdiction to hear and decide cases on immigration and refugee matters

Enables:

• Selection of economic immigrants
• Family reunification
• Refugee protection
• Enforcement

The Minister of Public Safety is responsible for the administration of the enforcement provisions of this Act

The Minister for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship also has discretionary tools from the Act:

• Ministerial Instructions
• Public Policy

Citizenship Act (1977), Citizenship Regulations and Citizenship Regulations No.2

Enables:

• Acquisition of citizenship
• Resumption of citizenship
• Proof of citizenship
• Loss of citizenship (renunciation and revocation)

Canadian Passport Order* (1981) Diplomatic and Special Passports Order (2005)

Enables:

• Issuance of passports
• Cancellation, refusal, and revocation

*Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness has certain national security responsibilities under this order

Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act (1994)

Established the Department – Sets out the powers, duties and functions of the Minister

International Law:

E.g., United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (1951), United Nations Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness (1961)

Financial Administration Act

• Sets out our authorities to issue fees including rights fees, passport and other travel document services fees

Official Languages Act

• Importance of linguistic duality; continued commitment to official language obligations and working towards diminishing linguistic insecurity.

Introduction to IRCC

IRCC’s 2023-2024 Departmental Plan (DP)

Highlighting departmental expenditure plans and main priorities by strategic outcome, program and planned /expected results, over a 3 year period.

Plans at a glance/key initiaves:

• Achieved Immigration Levels Plan target for 2022; preliminary estimates show 2023 target achieved
• Delivered on IRCC’s commitment to resettle at least 40,000 Afghan refugees to Canada
• Immigration Support for those affected by the situation in Ukraine; humanitarian initiatives for family members in Sudan, Gaza launched
• Enhancing Express Entry
• Truth and Reconciliation
• Digital Transformation and Digital Platform Modernization Program
• Admitting more refugees through Economic Mobility Pathway Pilot
• Supporting international migration and protection; expansion of Human Rights Defender stream
• Spreading the benefits of immigration across Canada

Departmental Spending 2020-21 to 2025-26

The Following Graphs Present Planned Spending (Voted and Statutory Expenditures) Over Time.

• Increase in 2022-2023 forecast expenditures mainly attributable to funding for: resettling 40K Afghan nationals, one-time temporary financial support for Ukrainian nationals and their families, temporary accommodation to asylum seekers, Immigration Levels Plan, and improvement of processing times and inventory reduction.
• Decreasing trend in the planned spending beginning in 2023-2024 mainly attributable to phasing down of resettlement of Afghan nationals, decrease in available funds for temporary accommodation for asylum seekers, phasing down of temporary funding to Ukrainian nationals and their families (gradually from mid-July 2023 to June 2024), decrease in temporary funding related to procurement, design and implementation of modernization activities.

The 2023-2024 DP was tabled March 9, 2023 by the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS)

Introduction to IRCC

“Prioritizing fairness, equity, and inclusion

People who apply to Canada’s permanent resident programs should benefit from the government’s efforts to improve processing speeds regardless of their country of citizenship or the office where their application is sent for processing.”

– Auditor General Report

“Despite the many sources of data and surveys, too many people continue to deny or question the presence of racism in the Department. It exists. It is real.”

– DM Fox

In August 2023, the creation of a permanent Equity Branch was announced to all staff and reported publicly.

Equity Branch Core Functions:

• Serves as an equity-focused centre of expertise providing oversight and support to ensure greater consistency, fairness and belonging in people management, policy development and service delivery.
• Provides guidance and monitors performance on anti-racism, accessibility, equity policy, reconciliation, GBA Plus and other equity initiatives.
• Offers an independent avenue of recourse for all IRCC employees as a safe and independent channel for reporting racism and discrimination through a new Ombudsperson Office.

Overview: Two Main Pathways

Balancing Economic, Social and Humanitarian Objectives, and Increasing Canada’s Diversity

2023 Admissions (preliminary): 471,000 persons

Attract Talent

Skilled individuals (and family members) that drive economic growth and innovation and attract investment.

Reunite Families

Provides support networks, contributes to social and cultural benefits and promotes retention in communities.

Respond to Crises & Offer Protection

Respects Canada’s humanitarian tradition and international obligations.

The 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan increases the total projected number of permanent resident admissions to 465,000 in 2023, 485,000 in 2024, and 500,000 in 2025. The 2024-2026 Levels Plan was tabled in Parliament on November 1, 2023.

Health and Safety

Safeguarding the Health, Safety and Security of Canadians

The protection of health, safety, and security of Canadians is balanced with facilitating the movement of people.

Who and What?

Temporary Residents

• Temporary resident visa
  Thorough screening to assess admissibility and traveller intent; may be referred for in-depth security screening and medical screening where required by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
• Electronic Travel Authorization
  Light-touch screening for generally low-risk nationals

Permanent Residents

Screening for security, criminality and medical admissibility.

Where?

Overseas – for most temporary and permanent residents

At the border – Canada Border Services Agency screens all travellers.

In Canada – those seeking a change in status (e.g. temporary to permanent, in Canada asylum claims) or applying for citizenship

How?

Information provided by clients – e.g., biographic, biometrics (fingerprints and photo), medical history and immigration medical exams

Information held by trusted partners – domestic security agencies (e.g., Royal Canadian Mounted Police) and international partners (e.g., United States)

Information in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) systems – e.g., previous applications

Verification of information – e.g. meeting conditions for work or study permits

Additional screening as needed

Settlement and Integration

Settlement Programming Helps Newcomers to Succeed in Canada

Canada funds a full array of settlement programming for eligible newcomers via a network of over 500 service providers and engages employers and civil society to create welcoming communities.

Programming builds on the human and social capital of immigrants and refugees to help them succeed in Canada.

Provinces, territories, municipalities, and other partners provide complementary settlement services, and other mainstream supports related to education, health and social services that support newcomer integration.

Supporting Francophone minority communities outside Quebec is a priority for the Department, including providing tailored supports from pre-arrival to citizenship and strengthening the capacity of Francophone settlement service providers.

Additional policy and operational supports have been developed to welcome recent mass arrivals e.g., Ukraine, Afghanistan.

In 2022-2023, $1.036 billion in settlement funding was allocated among provinces and territories through the Settlement Funding Formula (excluding Quebec), and through other settlement funding envelopes

Pre-arrival services help newcomers plan and prepare to work and live in Canada

Needs assessment and information & orientation services help newcomers make informed settlement decisions and access other community supports.

Language assessment and training builds a key skill for life and work in Canada.

Employment-related services prepare newcomers for the workforce and link to employers.

Community connections link newcomers to local communities and institutions, creating a sense of belonging.

Indirect and support services (e.g. childcare, interpretation, etc.) facilitate access to settlement services, and foster community planning and partnerships.

The Resettlement Assistance Program provides dedicated supports to government-assisted refugees, and other eligible clients, upon arrival in Canada by providing income support and other immediate and essential services. Resettled refugees are also provided access to the full suite of settlement services to support long term integration.

Canadian Citizenship

In general, a person is a Canadian citizen by birth in Canada, by descent (by birth outside of Canada in the first generation), or naturalized as citizens if they meet the requirements of the Citizenship Act.

Acquisition:

Citizenship may be acquired through birth in Canada (with the exception of those whose parents are accredited diplomats), by descent (to those with a legal or biological parent who was born in Canada or naturalized before the birth of the child) , or by naturalization. A citizenship certificate is provided to Canadians who apply for evidence of their citizenship.

Eligibility for Naturalization:

Adult citizenship applicants must meet requirements set out in the Citizenship Act

• Being a permanent resident
• Being physically present in Canada for a defined number of days
• Demonstrate knowledge of Canada and one of its official languages
• Filing income tax returns as required
• Not being subject to prohibitions (e.g. criminality)
• Taking the Oath of Citizenship

An individual granted citizenship is issued a citizenship certificate.

Loss:

Canadian citizens may apply to renounce their citizenship if they meet the requirements of the Citizenship Act.

Citizenship may be revoked from naturalized Canadians if obtained as a result of fraud, false representation, or knowingly concealing material circ*mstances.

A citizenship certificate may be recalled if the person is not entitled to it.

Awareness:

The Citizenship Program promotes awareness of the rights (i.e. to vote and hold a passport), responsibilities, and privileges of citizenship to educate newcomers and Canadians about Canadian citizenship and identity. Governor-in-council appointed citizenship judges preside at citizenship ceremonies, decide on some grant applications, and promote citizenship awareness.

Educational resources available include a citizenship study guide that supports the knowledge test, which is administered to all applicants between the ages of 18 and 54. It contains information about the history of Canada, how our government works, symbols of Canada, and its regions.

For Canadians

Passport – A Trusted Travel Document

The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship has sole authority for decisions on passport cancellation, refusal, and revocation, except for cases related to terrorism and national security which fall under the authority of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

Issuance:

Facilitates Canadians’ travel and contributes to international and domestic security.

• In 2021-2022 1,404,354 passports were issued
• In fiscal year 2022, 2,791,437 travel documents have been issued IRCC issued 4,518,819 travel documents between Jan-Dec 2023

Service delivery:

Works in collaboration with Employment and Social Development Canada, Service Canada (for the delivery of domestic passport services), and with Global Affairs Canada (for abroad services).

IRCC also handles the following:

• Special and diplomatic passports
• Travel documents to non-Canadians (e.g. refugee travel document)
• Complex and high risk passport applications (e.g. complex child custody situations)

Security:

• Maintains Canadian passport security and integrity through the authentication of identity and entitlement.
• Has the authority and the means to cancel, refuse, revoke, and impose a period of refusal of passport services (e.g. in cases of detected fraud, misuse, or misrepresentation).
• New design with enhanced security features introduced on May 10, 2023.

Key statistics:

• Approximately 68% of all Canadians hold a valid passport.
• There are 26.9 million passports in circulation.
• 93% of Canadian passport holders reside within 50 km of a passport point of service.
• Historically, passport services have been delivered with high client satisfaction and within service standards.
• In 2023, between 95 and 99% of clients received their passport within service standards.
• Forecasts predict high volumes of applications through 2024-25 due to the renewal cycle of 10-year passports.

IRCC is the policy lead for the Passport Program, and manages its legal and regulatory framework. As part of this, IRCC is a leading voice within the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) groupings focused on travel document standards and specifications (as part of ongoing modernization efforts). This influence is key in ensuring that Canadian passport holders continue to benefit from cross-border travel innovation and that the strong reputation and global standing of the Canadian passport is maintained.

Delivering Services

IRCC’s Operational Network – in Canada

IRCC operates a vast network of offices and support centres in Canada that deal with decision-making on application cases, passport issuance, client inquiries including services to the Members of Parliament and Senators, settlement supports, as well as citizenship tests and ceremonies.

Domestic and Settlement Offices

29 offices across all provinces

Case Processing Centres

Sydney, Ottawa, Mississauga, and Edmonton

Client Support Centre

(National Client Centre) Montréal

Operations Support Centre & Electronic Processing and Intake Centre

24/7, Gatineau

Resettlement Operations Centre

Ottawa

Passport

Service delivery partner is Employment and Social Development Canada with 37 passport offices (includes 15 consolidated sites), 302 Service Canada centres, and five Service Delivery Hubs (mail and print)

In total, IRCC has 47 offices across Canada; this includes those listed above as well as those that support the corporate work of the Department (e.g., National Headquarters in Ottawa/Gatineau). Of IRCC’s current 13,500 staff, approximately 67% or 9,000 work in its Operations Sector. In addition to its own offices/centres IRCC works with over 500 service provider organizations across the country to deliver settlement programming.

Delivering Services

IRCC’s overseas operations

Missions Abroad - Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates

IRCC represents and delivers Canada’s immigration program at 61 points of service, including Canadian Embassies, High Commissions, and Consulates, in 52 countries around the world.

Visa Application Centres

167 VACs in 112 countries

These centres are managed by third party contractors authorized to provide specific administrative support services and biometric collection services to visa applicants under VAC contracts with the Government of Canada. Services are delivered to applicants in the local language and in the most prevalent Canadian official language. Where demand for the other official language is 5% or greater, they must provide services in both.

US Application Support Centers

130 ASCs across United States (US)

US Application Support Centers (ASCs) conduct enrolment of biometrics in the US on behalf of IRCC for permanent and temporary resident applicants. ASCsdo notprovide administrative support services to applicants.

Key Partners: Provinces and Territories

IRCC’s Relationship with Provinces and Territories is Critical

• Immigration is a shared federal, provincial, and territorial responsibility with federal paramountcy.
• Provinces and territories leverage immigration to meet their economic and demographic needs, and provide health and social services to newcomers in their jurisdictions.
• Provinces and territories also provide funding to settlement-service provider organizations; IRCC works closely with provinces and territories to ensure funding is coordinated and complementary. The Department has been expanding its delivery partners. Communities have a renewed role in regional immigration, acting as partners in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot and participating in consultations on future regional immigration programs.
• Provincial and territorial vital statistic agencies are key stakeholders in the continuum of identity management for passport services, citizenship and immigration.

Quebec and Canada have a distinct relationship on immigration. Under the 1991 Canada-Quebec Accord, Quebec has sole responsibility for the following:

• Selection of immigrants (except Family Class and in-Canada refugee claimants)
• Delivery of integration services, supported by an annual grant from the federal government, based on formula set out in the Accord

Quebec publishes its own immigration levels plan annually.

Key Partners: Departments and Agencies

Immigration and Refugee Board

Portfolio Partner

• Makes decisions on claims for refugee protection made within Canada and on immigration-related matters
• The Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) reports to Parliament through the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, but remains independent from IRCC and the Minister

Employment and Social Development Canada

Key domestic policy and delivery partner

• Co-delivers the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, including by conducting labour market impact assessments
• Leads federal foreign credential recognition (FCR) efforts – important for settlement outcomes and attracting global talent so they can work in their field of expertise in Canada
• Provides services that support long-term integration of immigrants (e.g., adult literacy and essential skills; targeted labour market integration programs)
• Administers the Job Bank (Express Entry)
• Delivers domestic passport services on behalf of IRCC through Service Canada

Global Affairs Canada

Key overseas partner

• Is responsible for Canadian foreign policy and international trade, while IRCC leads on international migration and protection diplomacy
• Manages missions (embassies and consulates abroad) and supports IRCC’s international presence
• Delivers citizenship and passport services abroad on behalf of IRCC
• Shares social media account with IRCC for promotional and outreach purpose

Public Safety Portfolio

• Public Safety Canada: oversees Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canadian Security Intelligence Service and Canada Border Services Agency and coordinates national security policy
• The Minister of Public Safety is responsible for the administration of the enforcement provisions of the IRPA and co-administers the Canadian Passport Order
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police: conducts criminal screening
• Canadian Security and Intelligence: provides advice on threats to the security of Canada and conducts security screening for temporary residence, permanent residence and citizenship applicants

Canada Border Services Agency

Primary delivery partner

• Responsible for delivering the enforcement provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA)
• Manages travelers at Canadian ports of entry and examines admission documents
• Removes persons from Canada who are found to be inadmissible
• Supports refugee claimant intake at the border and implements the Safe Third Country Agreement
• Conducts security screening and provides intelligence on admissibility and border security matters
• Relies on IRCC’s Global Case Management System

Other Key Government Departments/Agencies

• The Public Health Agency of Canada: administers the Quarantine Act and is responsible for health screening and monitoring
• Health Canada holds responsibility for Health Human Resources, a key occupational group that intersects with IRCC’s work in selection and FCR
• Statistics Canada: key data partner in augmenting IRCC outcomes data and analytical capacity
• Canadian Heritage: partner in citizenship, official languages and Francophone immigration; leads on Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy and social cohesion
• Regional Economic Development Agencies: support design and implementation of regional economic immigration programming
• Women and Gender Equality Canada: supports Racialized Newcomer Women Pilot
• Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities (Infrastructure Canada) and Canadian Mortgage Housing Corporation: collaborate on issues related to housing and homelessness.
• Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada: supports work related to Indigenous Mobility and Border Crossing.
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada: key partner in development of industrial, regional and sectoral strategies.

IRCC also collaborates with a range of other departments and agencies, including Shared Services Canada, Transport Canada, Justice Canada, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Finance Canada and the Privy Council Office.

Key Partners

IRCC Also Engages with International and Other Partners to Advance its Interests and Support Broader Government of Canada Priorities

IRCC engages in migration and protection diplomacy globally to:

• advance the implementation of United Nations objectives on migration and protection, reflected in the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) and the Global Compact for Refugees (GCR)
• fulfill Canada’s refugee protection commitments and support the 1951 Refugee Convention, as well as promote complementary pathways for refugees
• promote well-managed migration systems, deter irregular migration and build migration and protection capacity in key countries.
• exchange best practices and shared challenges in managing migration, settlement, and integration
• support the health, safety and security of Canadians

Canada engages in numerous partnerships to advance the above objectives:

Canada’s approach to immigration is frequently referred to as a best practice in global migration and refugee protection.

Canada leverages international partners to identify and discuss global migration trends that impact Canada’s immigration program.

Bilateral

• United States
• Mexico
• European Commission
• Key countries for engagement (e.g. Australia, India and Germany, Japan, South Korea, etc.)

Regional

Migration Five (Canada, USA, UK, Australia, NZ)

• Intergovernmental Consultations on Migration, Asylum and Refugees (IGC)
• Regional Conference on Migration (RCM)

Multilateral

• International Organization for Migration (IOM)
• United Nations Refugee Agency (IUNHCR)
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Working Party on Migration
• Global Forum on Migration & Development (GFMD)
• International Civil Aviation Organization

Annex A: In-Canada Offices: IRCC and Delivery partners

Legend

Domestic & Settlement Offices (28)

• Whitehorse
• Yellowknife
• Vancouver
• Surrey
• Edmonton
• Calgary
• Saskatoon
• Winnipeg
• St. John’s
• Charlottetown
• Fredericton
• Halifax
• Montreal
• Ottawa
• Mississauga
• Kitchener
• London
• Windsor
• Scarborough
• Etobico*ke
• Hamilton
• Niagara Falls

Case Processing Centre

• Edmonton
• Gatineau
• Mississauga
• Sydney

Digitization Centre

• New Waterford

Client Support Centre (National Contact Centre)

• Montréal

Operations Support Centre

• Gatineau

Electronic Processing and Intake Centre

• Gatineau

Resettlement Operations Centre

• Ottawa

Number of Passport Service Locations (Included 21 SSC-PS Sites)

• Yukon: 2
• Northwest Territories: 5
• Nunavut: 3
• British Columbia: 42
• Alberta: 22
• Saskatchewan: 12
• Manitoba: 17
• Ontario: 98
• Quebec: 80
• New Brunswick: 19
• Nova Scotia: 19
• Prince Edward Island: 5
• Newfoundland and Labrador: 15

Annex B: IRCC’s Global Network

Map of IRCC Missions and Biometric Points of Service

Headquarters Divisions

• Geographic Coordination and Engagement (RIO)
• Resettlement Operations (ROD)
• Innovation, Design & Delivery
• (ROI-INOM)
• International Support (RIS)
• Strategic Planning & Delivery (RIC)
• Workforce Management (RIR)

United States

Area Office: Washington DC
Responsible for: 4 overseas offices

Latin America And Caribbean

Area Office: Mexico City
Responsible for: 8 overseas offices

Northern Europe

Area Office: London
Responsible for: 9 overseas offices
(Including P.M. to the UN in NYC)

Southern Europe & The Maghreb

Area Office: Paris
Responsible for: 6 overseas offices

North Asia

Area Office: Beijing
Responsible for: 4 overseas offices

South Asia

Area Office: New Delhi
Responsible for: 4 overseas offices

South East Asia & Oceania

Area Office: Manila
Responsible for: 9 overseas offices and the Manila Global Operations Centre

Middle East

Area Office: Ankara
Responsible for: 8 overseas offices

Sub-Saharan Africa

Area Office: Nairobi
Responsible for: 9 overseas offices

Canada (Virtual Office)

Area Office:
Innovation, Design & Delivery (ROI)
Responsible for Rapid Response Operations Centre (RROC)
*Havana is not included as an overseas office as it does not have
Canadian-based staff
**IN Staff on Strength as of 31/03/2023

Note: not to scale. For illustration only.

IRCC Global Network

*61 Overseas Offices

9 Area Offices Overseas

297 Biometric Collection Points in 112 Countries

**1041 Locally Engaged Staff Overseas

**291 Canada Based Staff Overseas

Annex C: Permanent Residence

A Closer Look

Economic: Canada selects economic immigrants (including their immediate family) on the basis of
the ability to economically establish in Canada.

• Federal High Skilled (managed through the Express Entry system)
• Federal Economic Public Policies
• Federal Business
• Economic Pilots
  • Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots (Caregivers)
  • Agri-Food Pilot
  • Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)
  • Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMP)
• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
• Quebec Skilled Workers and Business
• New Brunswick Critical Works Pilot

Family: Family reunification has been an important pillar of Canada’s immigration policy. Citizens and permanent residents are able to sponsor family members.

• Spouses/Partners and Children
• Parents and Grandparents

Refugees and Protected Persons: Canada has a strong commitment to its humanitarian goals by resettling refugees and recognizing those persons in need of protection (asylum).

• Protected Persons in Canada and Dependants Abroad
• Resettled Refugees
  • Government-assisted refugees (GARs)
  • Privately sponsored refugees (PSRs)
  • Blended visa office-referred refugees (BVORs)

Humanitarian and Compassionate and Other: Permanent residency is granted to those who would not otherwise qualify based on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, public policy considerations, and as permit holders.

• Humanitarian and Compassionate and Other
  • Humanitarian & compassionate grounds
  • Public policy considerations
  • Permit holder class