Who we are

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) was created in 1994 to:

• link immigration services with citizenship registration
• promote the unique ideals all Canadians share and
• help build a stronger Canada.

In 2008, the Multiculturalism Program was moved from Canadian Heritage to CIC.

CIC’s mandate, mission and vision

Mandate

CIC’s mandate comes from the shared jurisdiction of Section 95 of the Constitution Act, 1867, the Citizenship Act, and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Mission

CIC and its partners will build a stronger Canada by:

• Developing and implementing policies, programs and services that:
  • facilitate the arrival of people and their integration into Canada in a way that maximizes their contribution to the country while protecting the health, safety and security of Canadians;
  • maintain Canada’s humanitarian tradition by protecting refugees and people in need of protection;
  • enhance the values and promote the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship; and
  • reach out to all Canadians and foster increased intercultural understanding and an integrated society with equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, ethnicity and religion.
• Advancing global migration policies in a way that supports Canada’s immigration and humanitarian objectives.

Vision

An approach to immigration that:

• responds to the needs of communities in all parts of the country by creating opportunities for individuals to come to Canada to make an economic, social, cultural and civic contribution while realizing their full potential, with a view to becoming citizens;
• supports global humanitarian efforts to assist people in need of protection.