Strategic Outcomes and Program Alignment Architecture (in effect April 1, 2011)

Program 4.3 – Canada’s Role in International Migration and Protection

Canada’s international and domestic refugee protection agenda continues to be challenged by international events, the increased number of refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide, and related security concerns and human rights issues. Canada participates in various international for a to influence the future directions of multilateral partnerships and strategies. CIC continues to influence international discussions on protection through the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Executive Committee, Standing Committee, and Working Group on Resettlement. CIC also participates on a regular basis in the Inter-Governmental Consultations on Migration, Asylum and Refugees (IGC).

Canada plays a leadership role in the dialogue on international migration, helping to shape and influence discussion on migration in international fora and promoting the exchange of good practices in managed migration with other countries to strengthen the international community’s ability to successfully manage migration, effectively respond to forced displacement and mass movements, and to address conditions that produce refugees, asylum claims and irregular migration.

Canada contributes to the international community’s capacity to manage these migration pressures, which ultimately bring people to our doors, in an effort to maintain the integrity and ensure the sustainability of our own immigration and refugee programs. Consequently, CIC monitors international developments that could have implications for our programs, such as mass movements driven by conflict, natural disasters or famine.
Awareness of the linkages between migration and other areas, such as health, international crime, trafficking, human smuggling, social development and economic well-being, is important for the dialogue around the international movements of persons. Properly addressing these linkages requires an increasingly broad perspective and, therefore, CIC develops policy in coordination with departments and institutions responsible for these related issues.

As a country with much experience in migration, Canada is also well-placed to contribute to international discourse; we are considered a credible stakeholder on migration issues and this greatly facilitates our role in asserting Canadian values.

Migration and International Organizations

Canada influences the international policy debate on international migration and refugee protection through participation at international fora such as the United Nations and its agencies, notably the UNHCR, IOM, the IGC, the Global Forum on Migration and Development (CFMD) and the Regional Conference on Migration (RCM, or Puebla Process) in the Americas.

CIC is the lead department for monitoring developments in international organizations relating to international migration and mobility, as they frequently have implications for our domestic programs.

CIC partners with the UNHCR to resettle UN Convention refugees and to find durable solutions for protracted refugee situations.

Canada also makes use of the IOM’s immigration services for travel during the resettling of refugees, to deliver the Canadian Orientation Abroad program, to carry out medical exams for migrants, and, starting in 2012, to deliver through CBSA the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) pilot project as part of Canada’s reforms to its refugee and asylum system. In addition, Canada supports the work of the IOM in international protection, in the development of migration management capacity in different countries, and in technical assistance for the development of migration-related policies, programs and legislation.