Federal-Provincial/Territorial Agreements

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act allows the Minister to enter into agreements with provinces and territories on concurrent responsibilities for immigration.

The Canada–Quebec Accord is the most comprehensive of these agreements. Signed in 1991, it gives Quebec selection powers and control over its own settlement services. Canada retains responsibility for defining immigrant categories, setting levels, and enforcement.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada has signed agreements with British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, the Yukon and Prince Edward Island. The agreements with Manitoba and British Columbia give those provinces funds and responsibility for settlement services, a greater say in planning, and an agreement to attract business immigrants.

British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Yukon and the Northwest Territories have signed Provincial Nominees agreements, which allow them to select a small number of immigrants to meet specific labour-market needs.

Other agreements or letters of understanding have also been concluded with provincial and territorial governments. Federal-provincial-territorial working groups meet regularly to discuss a wide range of immigration issues.