ARCHIVED – Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration, 2008

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Section 2
Federal-Provincial/Territorial Partnerships

Since jurisdiction over immigration is a concurrent responsibility, effective collaboration between the Government of Canada and the provinces and territories is essential to the successful management of the immigration program. Provincial and territorial governments are CIC’s primary partners, and the shared goal is to make immigration programs responsive to the unique economic, social and labour market needs of each province and territory. Under IRPA and the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration has the authority, with the approval of the Governor in Council, to sign agreements with the provinces and territories to facilitate the coordination and implementation of immigration policies and programs. Table 2 provides a list of the key bilateral agreements currently in force, with their signing and expiry dates.

CIC currently has framework agreements with eight provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia) and one territory (Yukon). These agreements highlight immigration as a key area for bilateral collaboration and formalize how the two levels of government work together on this issue. The framework agreements also reflect the three different models for settlement and integration service delivery. In the main model used in most provinces and territories, settlement programs are administered by CIC regional offices and generally delivered by third parties, such as community-based organizations. Manitoba and British Columbia, however, have assumed responsibility for the delivery of settlement programs through negotiated contribution agreements. Quebec is unique in having full responsibility for the settlement and integration services offered in the province.

Agreements for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) are also in place with 10 jurisdictions (the Yukon and all provinces except Quebec), either as an annex to a framework agreement or as a stand-alone agreement. Under the PNP, provinces and territories have the authority to nominate individuals as permanent residents to address specific labour market and economic development needs. The Canada-Quebec Accord grants Quebec the authority to set annual immigration targets and the responsibility for selecting immigrants; Canada remains responsible for establishing selection criteria for members of the Family Class and for determining the status of those claiming refugee status within Canada. Canada also retains responsibility for defining immigrant categories, setting immigration levels and establishing admissibility requirements under IRPA.

In 2007, the Department continued to work with Ontario to implement the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement to support the settlement and integration of newcomers in Ontario, including building partnerships with Ontario municipalities to address issues and pursue opportunities related to their interests in immigration. In addition, in 2007, first-ever framework agreements were signed with Alberta in May and with Nova Scotia in September. Within these agreements, no limit on the number of immigrants who can be nominated through the PNP was identified, and the intention to develop annexes to facilitate the entry of temporary foreign workers was announced. CIC has worked with all interested provinces and territories over the past year to facilitate the entry of temporary foreign workers and help ensure that the specific economic and demographic needs of the jurisdictions are met. In particular, the process is underway to include annexes in the immigration framework agreements with Ontario and Alberta. Finally, renewed framework agreements were signed with the Yukon in February 2008 and Prince Edward Island in June 2008.

In addition to bilateral collaboration with the provinces and territories, multilateral activities are being used increasingly as a mechanism to engage our partners and work towards common goals. For example, under the auspices of the Atlantic Population Table, CIC continued to work with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the four Atlantic provinces and HRSDC to create a set of integrated initiatives that support increased immigration throughout Atlantic Canada and address regional needs. In particular, CIC is collaborating on the development of initiatives to support focused immigration research and the labour market integration of immigrants in Atlantic Canada.

In 2007, multilateral federal, provincial and territorial meetings were held at both the deputy minister and ministerial levels. Deputy ministers responsible for immigration discussed settlement services, foreign credential recognition and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Ministers responsible for immigration discussed immigration levels, labour market needs, foreign credential recognition, integration, and settlement funding. Federal, provincial and territorial deputy ministers met again in May 2008 to discuss Bill C-50, emerging immigration priorities, temporary foreign workers, international students and the Provincial Nominee Program. Ministers responsible for immigration also met in September 2008 to conclude consultations on ministerial instructions, and discuss emerging immigration priorities, foreign credential recognition, and improving language training and settlement programming. These themes reflect emerging priorities and work completed since their last meeting. CIC will continue to meet regularly with provinces and territories in this manner, as multilateral engagement strengthens CIC’s partnerships and facilitates discussion of common approaches and concerns regarding immigration issues and the sharing of best practices.

Table 2: Federal-Provincial/Territorial Agreements Currently in Force[note 5]

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5  For all current agreements, see www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/laws-policy/agreements/index.asp.

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