CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION CANADA
Official Languages Action Plan
2002-2003

To facilitate the integration of immigrants into Official Language Minority (OLM) Communities.

Newcomers to Canada face many challenges to their successful settlement and integration and no less so when they attempt to establish in Canada's Official Language Minority Communities (OLMC). CIC is currently working with the communities to find practical solutions to make this process easier.

The capacity of communities to receive immigrants is greatly affected by the resources, institutions and infrastructure in place to respond to the immigrants' needs. Immigrant integration depends greatly on the knowledge of available services and the initial contacts that are made upon arrival in the new environment. CIC and OLMC are working to make immigrants aware of the services that are available.

Successful integration requires mutual respect of cultures and origins, both an ability on the part of newcomers to adapt and a willingness on the part of the host community to welcome immigrants. The provision of integration sevices is a joint responsibility of both CIC and OLM communities, supporting newcomers in their efforts to fit in. For this to occur, tools must be developed that increase the successful establishment of new arrivals in OLMC.

CIC provides services to Francophone persons who may wish to migrate to Canada. Information about Canada's OLMC can be found on our Web site, in our missions and from the communities directly. Once a person's application for immigration has been accepted, he or she receives "Le Canada et les nouveaux arrivants" and can take part in an orientation session. Upon arrival at a Canadian airport, the newcomer receives a "Bienvenue au Canada" package. This settlement package provides information about service providers at the location in which the immigrant has decided to settle. The newcomer can then visit a service provider where he or she will be greeted in French and put in communication with the Francophone community. The service provider will provide language training, orient newcomers towards employment centers, housing information, and health care centers. The local French-speaking community will also be involved in the settlement process.

CIC recognizes that the advantages of promoting immigration to these communities are many. Encouraging migration to the OLMC allows for the expansion and maintenance of the French language throughout the country, makes funding more available to develop and provide services in French, hence leading to the preservation the French language and the enrichment of Francophone culture.

Discussion of CIC's Official Language commitments will take place at key meetings at National Headquarters and in the regions to further the development of priorities and plans for addressing OLMC interests. Staff will be encouraged to promote services in French throughout the Department and with external contacts to fulfil CIC's commitments and responsibilities to the extent possible with regards to the recognition and use of Official Languages.

CIC is co-chair of the Citizenship and Immigration Canada - Francophone Minority Communities Steering Committee. This Steering Committee was launched on March 19, 2002. The first task of the committee is to evaluate, between now and next fall, the absorptive capacity of new French-speaking immigrants in six communities: Moncton, Ottawa, Sudbury, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Vancouver. Thereafter, the committee will start to outline a strategic plan to support increased immigration by French-speaking persons.

In partnership with the Francophone minority communities, Integration Branch has taken steps to develop strategies to initiate pilot projects to facilitate the integration and the settlement of newcomers within OLMC. Integration Branch will also identify possible research activities for the CIC Research Network that would help increase the capacity of Francophone minority communities to integrate newcomers.

CIC determines the destination of government assisted refugees who wish to be resettled. For the most part, refugees are directed toward average sized to large communities throughout the country depending on their requirements for special services, family ties, and the presence of other members of their ethnic community. Refugees Branch has taken steps to increase CIC's capacity to send refugees to communities that best suit the individual by eliminating pre-approved destining plans for missions overseas. This will thereby ensure that refugees, including Francophone refugees, are destined to communities where they will best be able to integrate using their preferred official language. In addition, posting refugee profiles on a secure Web site to inform sponsorship agreement holders of refugees requiring sponsorship will allow sponsorship agreement holders to select refugees who are best suited to the sponsoring community given the refugees' linguistic and cultural backgrounds, amongst other factors.

Selection Branch will examine ways of making the selection process better able to support the development of OLMC. Federal-provincial agreements in the area of immigration can have an effect on the selection and recruitment of immigrants. CIC will work closely with provincial governments that have signed immigration agreements to ensure that the needs of official language communities are addressed. The importance of supporting the development of official language communities will be discussed with provinces during the negotiations surrounding these agreements. For example, the Provincial Nominee Agreement with Nova Scotia that is currently being ratified, will include provisions recognizing the importance of encouraging the development of the French-speaking community of the province and to the need consult its representatives in pursuit of immigration objectives. This agreement is the first of its kind to include such provisions.

British Columbia and Yukon Region is currently reviewing what is being done in Manitoba to enhance official language elements of their Settlement programming with a view to informing discussions with the BC government. In the interim, the BC government has agreed to participate and cooperate in developing the Vancouver portion of the PICLO-funded national assessment study of the capacity of Francophone minority communities to integrate newcomers. The region will collaborate with Integration Branch to implement the new official languages clauses in the 2002/2003 Settlement Program contribution agreements.

Atlantic Region will consult formally with the principal OLM community organizations in the four Atlantic Provinces during 2002-2003 in collaboration with provincial immigrant service providers to improve dialogue and information sharing regarding immigration issues among all parties.

Ontario Region will implement both the Host Program in Greater Toronto Area and the Settlement Workers in School (SWIS) Program and will implement a project to develop material specific to the French Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program in Ottawa.

Principal Measures

Expected Outputs

- Publish research and information on the linguistic integration of immigrants in order to address barriers to integration and inform public policy.

- The availability of departmental research reports pertaining to integration issues in both official languages.
- The availability of publications in the virtual library of Metropolis [note 1] and CIC's Internet site [note 2].

- Improve the delivery of services to clients.

- Identify options, propose recommendations and implement appropriate changes to the methods by which services are delivered to clients in Canada and abroad.

Integration Branch

- To develop strategies and to explore the possibility of setting up of the pilot projects.

- To facilitate the integration and the establishment of newcomers within OLMC in collaboration with the COC Steering Committee of CIC in partnership with the French-speaking minority communities.

Refugees Branch

- Amend official languages clauses in the resettlement contribution program agreement so that they accord more fully with the Official Languages Act.

- To ensure that agreement holders engage in the promotion of official languages and service to the public in both official languages.

- Increasing the capacity to better destine refugees to appropriate communities by eliminating pre-approved destining plans for missions overseas.

- To ensure that refugees, including Francophone refugees, are destined to communities where they will best be able to integrate using their preferred official language.

- Posting refugee profiles on a secure Web site to inform sponsorship agreement holders of refugees requiring sponsorship.

- To allow sponsorship agreement holders to select refugees who are best suited to the sponsoring community given the refugees' linguistic and cultural backgrounds, amongst other factors.

- Participating in the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Steering Committee - Minority Francophone communities.

- To participate in projects involving immigration in minority Francophone communities.

To promote awareness of Canada's bilingual character and OLMC among CIC's clients and the general public.

Immigrants are free to settle anywhere in Canada. However today, immigration is an increasingly urban phenomenon. More than three-quarters of immigrants to Canada settle in the three largest cities: Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.

The pattern of settlement of Francophone immigrants closely resembles that of the majority of persons who come to Canada: they do not settle in smaller communities in any significant number; only a limited number of immigrants are Francophones, with the vast majority among them choosing to settle in Quebec.

In addition to declining birth rates, migration to other centers and language loss are fundamental aspects of demographic change for OLMC. For many Francophone communities, language loss is a major threat to sustaining vitality.

These facts make immigration a potential tool in sustaining Canada's OLMC. To use that tool effectively, Canada must recruit potential immigrants through the promotion of its OLMC.

In 2002-2003, CIC will build on its efforts to promote Canada's OLMC to potential immigrants and visitors and to inform new Canadians about the bilingual nature of Canada and of the equal status of both languages.

All CIC offices will display informational brochures and packages promoting OLMC. This information will be developed and provided by Francophone organizations and provide OLMC with opportunities to promote their communities worldwide.

CIC will also ensure that all external communications products (publications and Web materials) are available in both official languages. Communications will be centered around CIC's activities with OLMC and on efforts to encourage Francophone immigrants to settle in smaller centers.

Throughout its offices overseas, CIC's International Region will distribute information about OLMC obtained through the Department's Official Languages Network. Also, in conjunction with Canadian Heritage, Canada's Missions overseas will establish a viable data link, electronically providing information to potential immigrants, students, visitors and temporary workers, about the bilingual nature of Canada and minority official language organizations across the country.

CIC and Canadian Heritage, in collaboration with l'Assemblée Communautaire Fransaskoise in Saskatchewan are paving the way for better access to French language services. The Department has also established advisory committees in four metropolitan cities in the region (Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, and Regina) and is working closely with the Societé Franco-Manitobaine and other Francophone organizations in Winnipeg. CIC will be working with the Fédération des Communautés Francophones et Acadienne du Canada (FCFA) through the CIC Minority Francophone Community Steering Committee to ensure the sharing of information, awareness and mutual support.

All Citizenship ceremonies will reflect Canada's linguistic duality and OLMC will be invited to participate either as hosts, guest speakers, or by assisting in the organization of special receptions. CIC will also explore opportunities to encourage OLMC to participate in Citizenship Week activities.

Ontario Region will provide information to French speaking communities in Ontario so that OLMC could have access to these materials and reports. This region will also develop a new curriculum for its Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program in which the French community is acknowledged. This will thereby promote the understanding of the French community by English clients while French clients would become aware of the various Francophone communities available to them.

Atlantic Region will work with the Official Languages Committee of the Nova Scotia Federal Council to improve the inter-departmental efforts to provide proactive services to OLM communities in Nova Scotia. The Region will also collaborate with Canadian Heritage to work with OLM communities concerning immigrant language services and the attraction of Francophone immigrants to Atlantic Canada especially New Brunswick.

British Columbia and Yukon region will support a pilot project focused on improving services offered in designated bilingual offices in B.C. This project will provide for the promotion of official languages to managers of offices designated to serve the public in both official languages. The pilot project will be a unique opportunity for regional managers to provide information on how service to the public in both official languages can be delivered given regional differences and challenges. Information will be gathered to better understand challenges faced by managers and to explore innovative regional and local approaches taken. In addition, the pilot project will promote the availability of designated bilingual offices in British Columbia as well as promotion among the Francophone population to encourage them to request services in their language of choice.

Principal Measures

Expected Outputs

- Promote the equal status of the French and English languages in Canada.

- Inform new Canadians on the bilingual nature of Canada and of the equal status of both languages.

To ensure the interests of Official Language Minority Communities are considered in the development of policies and programs.

CIC will continue to actively consider the interests of the OLMC when developing programs and policies, promote awareness of relevant departmental activities among minority language organizations and make efforts to ensure that departmental programs and policies recognize the linguistic duality of Canada.

CIC will publish research and information on the linguistic integration of immigrants. This will help CIC to address the barriers to integration faced by OLMC and inform prospects for public policy. CIC will encourage participation by representatives of OLMC organisations in public consultations undertaken by CIC on policy and or legislative changes. The department will also address the views and concerns of OLMC on changes to departmental legislation, policies or programs.

Strategic Policy, Planning and Research Branch will provide coordination between Privy Council office, Canadian Heritage and CIC and its partners to ensure that CIC policies are consistent with policies and concerns of the Government of Canada, and that CIC benefits from the experiences of other departments.

Integration Branch will ensure that research studies are reviewed in order to identify findings regarding the integration of newcomers in the Francophone minority communities. Policy presentations and discussions will include reference to CIC's efforts to increase the intake capacity of the OLMC.

Refugees Branch will seek to amend official languages clauses in the resettlement contribution program agreement so that they support more fully the Official Languages Act. The Branch will also ensure that agreement holders engage in the promotion of official languages and service to the public in both official languages.

Through the Immigration-Contribution Accountability Measurement System, data will be collected on government-assisted refugees' official languages knowledge and the communities in which they are settling. This data will allow for the analysis of communities in which Francophone refugees are most likely to establish which will then contribute to destining decisions.

CIC will involve more academic researchers on research projects related to linguistic minorities and immigration issues through the Metropolis Project. The Metropolis Project [note 3] is an international forum for comparative research and public policy development about population migration, cultural diversity and the challenges of immigrant integration in cities in Canada and around the world. Metropolis will endeavor to stimulate the creation of an international policy-research network on migration policy issues specific to French speaking communities and to keep stakeholders and the Commissioner of Official Languages informed.

Atlantic Region will foster leadership in the French communities in Moncton, guided by the Université de Moncton, regarding the creation of Atlantic Metropolis [note 4] to improve knowledge and understanding by OLM communities of global migration issues and research into rural/small city immigration data. The (Atlantic) Metropolis Project is a set of co-ordinated activities carried out by a membership of research and policy organizations that share a vision of strengthened immigration policy by means of applied academic research.

Principal Measures

Expected Outputs

- Participation by representatives of OLMC organizations in public consultations undertaken by CIC on policy and or legislative changes.

- Obtain and address the views and concerns of OLMC on changes to departmental legislation, policies or programs.

- Through the Immigration-Contribution Accountability Measurement System, collect data on government-assisted refugees' official languages knowledge and the communities in which they are settling.

- Data will allow for the analysis of communities in which Francophone refugees are most likely to establish which will then contribute to destining decisions.

International Region

- OLMC information will be included in the annual Program Manager Course.

- CIC employees and clients will be sensitive to the needs of the OLMC in Canada.

- Include in the delivery of the Acts & Regulations Course as well as the Acts and Regulations Refresher course, OLA Part VII modules.

- Visa officers abroad will be aware of the departmental commitments and responsibilities with respect to the Official Languages Act Part VII.

Metropolis

- Involve more academic researchers on research projects related to linguistic minorities and immigration issues - potentially more researchers from the Atlantic provinces.

- To rationalize Metropolis policy-research national and international publications (bulletins, newsletters, etc) into one regular bilingual publication.

- To stimulate the creation of an international policy-research network on migration policy issues specific to French speaking communities.

Atlantic Region

Notes:

1. The Metropolis Project is an international forum for research and policy on migration and cities. The virtual library is located at: http://canada.metropolis.net/frameset_e.html.

2. CIC's French internet site is located at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/francais/index.html. The English internet site is available at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.html.

3. http://www.canada.metropolis.net

4. http://atlantic.metropolis.net/