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2005-25
MINISTERS AGREE ON STRATEGIC DIRECTION ON IMMIGRATION
OTTAWA, November 4, 2005 — Federal, provincial
and territorial ministers responsible for immigration have adopted a
strategic direction on immigration that will build on the success of
Canada’s current immigration program and prepare us to meet the
challenges of the 21st century.
The strategic direction builds on Canada’s celebration of diversity
and the principles of inclusion and equal opportunity. Together, ministers
are fulfilling a November 2004 commitment to work to chart the future
course of Canada’s immigration program. (A copy of the Federal,
Provincial and Territorial Strategic Direction on Immigration is attached.)
“Immigration has always been, and will continue to be a vital
tool for nation building in Canada, and a successful immigration program
is essential to our continuing economic and social prosperity,” said
the Honourable Joe Volpe, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. “Today,
we have strengthened Canada by building the foundation on which we will
develop and deliver programs to enable refugees and immigrants to maximize
their opportunities and contributions in every region of the country.”
Canada faces many sectoral and regional labour shortages. Within the
next decade newcomers are expected to account for all net labour force
growth. As population growth declines in Canada and in most of the developed
world, global competition for the skills and talents of immigrants will
intensify. While Canada has been successful in attracting and retaining
immigrants, federal, provincial and territorial governments will have
to collaborate further to promote Canada as a destination, recruit immigrants
and ensure their integration into Canadian society.
The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a flexible immigration
program that will continue to meet the unique needs of each province
and territory, and that respects existing bilateral agreements and each
government’s area of jurisdiction.
“Our economies depend on immigration,” said the Honourable
Mike Colle, Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration on behalf
of the provinces and territories. “That’s why my provincial and
territorial colleagues and I are committed to working with the federal
government to make sure our newcomers have every opportunity to succeed.
We will continue to share our unique perspectives to help build stronger,
diverse communities in all regions of Canada.”
The ministers also identified five key priorities for the coming year.
Jurisdictions may pursue them by working collaboratively on joint projects,
or by working independently. The priorities are:
- Improved selection, including multi-year levels planning
and better promotion to recruit immigrants;
- The development of an
in-Canada economic class, to better retain those who have Canadian
experience or training;
- Improved outcomes to ensure immigrants’ skills are used to full
potential;
- Increased regionalization, to share the benefits of immigration
with local economies; and
- Improved client service, including shorter waiting times,
reduced inventories and streamlining the in-Canada refugee determination
system.
Ministers agreed to consult collaboratively with partners and stakeholders
on immigration matters as appropriate.
The Government of Quebec recognizes the initiative of the federal government
and of the governments of the other provinces and territories to develop
strategic directions in the area of immigration. Quebec has already established
its own directions in compliance with its jurisdiction under the Canada
Québec Accord. While it will pursue its work with the federal
government on a bilateral basis, Quebec will continue to share its best
practices with other provinces and territories.
Quebec has a wealth of experience in consultation on immigration and
on multi year planning according to which it consults with its citizens
on all aspects of immigration, based on the objectives it has set. It
will therefore continue to use that approach, which has yielded excellent
results so far.
“My counterparts and I are pleased with the progress made during
our meeting. Now, more than ever, collaborative work with provincial
and territorial ministers is crucial for the success of the immigration
program,” said Minister Volpe.
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For more information (media only):
Stephen Heckbert
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
(613) 954-1064
![line](/web/20060205130348im_/http://www.cic.gc.ca/images/common/rule.gif)
FPT STRATEGIC DIRECTION
ON IMMIGRATION
Preamble
Canada’s success in the eyes of the world owes much to the skill,
hard work and dedication of immigrants and refugees. Immigration has
provided Canada with new ideas and skills that have strengthened our
communities and our abilities to innovate both locally and in the global
marketplace. Immigration has also increased our respect for cultural
diversity and contributed to understanding between peoples.
Increasingly, countries and communities are competing globally to attract
investments, skills and talents. Looking to the future, Canada must better
connect with the energy and contribution of immigrants to help meet the
challenges of tomorrow including our ageing population and the country’s
local, regional and sectoral labour market needs.
Vision Statement
Guided by a tradition of welcoming immigrants and refugees, Canada’s
federal, provincial and territorial governments will work collaboratively
to promote Canada as an attractive destination for immigrants. In addition,
they will develop and deliver programs that enable refugees and immigrants
to maximise their opportunities and contributions, in every region of
the country, while ensuring Canada’s national security and economic
vitality in a global economy.
Principles
In working to achieve this Vision, Canada’s federal, provincial
and territorial governments agree to*:
- work collaboratively in areas of common interest and shared jurisdiction,
including reaching out to interested stakeholders through joint consultation
where appropriate;
- respect each jurisdiction’s roles and responsibilities,
including the responsibilities of Quebec identified under the Canada-Quebec
Accord
and other existing agreements; and
- work collaboratively to preserve Canada’s national security.
*Although it is not participating in the initiative being proposed,
Quebec recognizes the federal, provincial and territorial governments’ effort.
Their initiative quite closely resembles Quebec’s positions on
those matters, as expressed in its 2004–07 Action Plan, Shared
Values, Common Interests (This document is available on the website of
the Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés
culturelles). That plan complies with Quebec’s powers and responsibilities
under the Canada Quebec Accord relating to immigration and the admission
of temporary residents. Quebec will continue to share its best practices
with other provinces and territories.
Goals/Objectives
In order to achieve this vision Ministers agree upon the following goals
and objectives:
- Economic Growth and Prosperity: contributing to Canada’s
economic prosperity by ensuring that the immigration program is responsive
to
national and local labour market needs, and by more effectively attracting
skilled and successful immigrants in a dynamic and competitive international
environment.
- Strengthening the Social Fabric: promoting the reunification of
families which strengthens immigrants’ contribution to economic, social
and cultural
life in Canada and its regions.
- Supporting Canada’s international humanitarian traditions: focusing
Canada’s refugee protection efforts where the need is greatest,
including affirming Canada’s commitment to international efforts
to provide assistance to those in need of resettlement.
- Improved Outcomes for Immigrants: strengthening the partnerships
and programs needed to ensure the successful social and economic integration
of immigrants, while helping to maximize their skills and contribution.
- Prompt and Efficient Service to Clients: moving to a client-centred
model that adequately and appropriately responds to the interests
of all concerned (immigrants, communities, employers). Enhancing the
delivery
and development of programs so that they are responsive and adaptable
to the changing global environment (including changes in technology)
and contribute to Canada’s economic and social development
and to our cultural vitality.
- Retention and Regionalization: supporting the efforts of all interested
jurisdictions in attracting and retaining immigrants to help meet
their communities’ particular needs.
- Strengthening Canada’s defining linguistic characteristics: responding to the needs identified by minority official languages
communities in Canada, as appropriate in each jurisdiction.
Priorities
In working to achieve these objectives, while respecting the underlying
principles, the following priorities exist that can be pursued jointly,
or led individually.
Improved Selection
- Multi-year levels planning
- Development of an in-Canada economic class
- Issues of mix
- Addressing the particular needs of local labour markets.
- Targeting highly qualified persons, graduate students, skilled
trades and temporary workers
- Promotion and recruitment
- A more aggressive and effective international promotion of
Canada, and all its regions, as a destination of
choice
Improved Outcomes for Immigrants
- Maximizing the utilization of immigrant skills
- Revitalizing the funding model for settlement allocations
- Improving pre and post-arrival information on Canada and its regions
to enhance attraction, integration and retention strategies
Increased Regionalization:
- Developing initiatives and regional strategies so that local economies
are better able to tap the benefits of immigration
Improved Client Service
- Timely and responsive processing
- Improved inventory management
- Shorter waiting times
- Streamlining the in-Canada refugee determination system
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