Immigrant Settlement and Integration. 2 enables successful economic, social and cultural outcomes for immigrants/refugees develops program supports

ImmigrantSettlement and IntegrationImmigrantSettlement and Integration

22

enables successful economic, social and cultural outcomes for immigrants/refugees

develops program supports to address

different challenges facing different client groups eg. skilled workers; refugees etc .;

potential immigrants/refugees who have applied to immigrate and could benefit from early integration supports; and

future immigrants that Canada seeks to attract for whom innovative and flexible integration strategies might be a draw factor.

engages a number of partners and stakeholders

A successful immigration program requires a strong integration component which…

Immigrant Settlement and Integration

33 Legal Umbrella

Canada’s comprehensive legal framework provides essential constructs to support social cohesion

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms supported by:►the Canadian Bill of Rights (1960)

►the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (1962/2002)

►the Official Languages Act (1969/85)

►the Canadian Human Rights Act (1977/85)

►the Citizenship Act (1985)

►the Employment Equity Act (1986/95)

►the Multiculturalism Act (1988)

44 The Immigration ActThe Immigration Act

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act affirms fundamental principles of non-discrimination and universality

The Act articulates three basic goals based on our economic, social, and humanitarian values

Canada’s immigration system reflects our history, our character and our values

55

3

1

2004 Top Ten Source Countries Rankings 1984 and 1994

1984 1994 2004China 10 4India 4 2Philippines 7 2 3Pakistan 28 14 4United States 3 7 5Iran 12 20 6United Kingdom 5 9 7Romania 22 17 8South Korea 24France 16 16 10

18 9

1

3

Outcomes - Canada as a Model - A strong foundation has supported immigrant diversity.

Strong Foundation:

The United Nations recognizes Canada as a successful multicultural society. Several indicators:

Charter protection for immigrants, temporary residents and refugee claimants

broad access to social services, education and the labour market

timely and transparent system of citizenship acquisition withapproximately 85% of immigrants becoming Canadian citizens

significant governmental and non-governmental investments in integration programs

Shifting Immigrant Diversity Increasing ethnic diversity has resulted from shifting immigrant source countries over the past 20 years

However, current /future diverse client groups require different supports to meet their unique/ diverse needs . . .


66

(data presented relates to persons admitted to Canada before the new IRPA legislation was applied to their cases)

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000 1982 1986

1991

1996

1999

2000

2001Canadian

Average

1981

1983

1985

1987

1989

1991

1993

1995

1997

1999

2001

2003

The thick black line represents the earnings of skilled workers 1 year after arrival

The earnings of immigrant skilled workers were 25% above the Canadian average in the 1980’s

. . . their earnings were 32% below the Canadian average in 2003 (2002 cohort group)

2002

EMPLOYMENT EARNINGS OF SKILLED WORKERS

Outcomes - Economic performance is declining for recent immigrants

The income of skilled worker immigrants has been deteriorating since the early 1990s:

• 1980s – 25% ↑Canadian-born average one year after arrival

• 2003 – 32% ↓ the Canadian-born average one year after arrival

Several contributing factors:

• Labour market conditions • Lack of recognition of foreign

credentials and foreign work experience

• Language, literacy and essential skills gaps


77Outcomes - Diversity of languages has increased…

Shifting source countries has meant an increase in linguistic diversity:

• Fewer immigrants have English as their mother tongue – from 20% in 1984 to 9% in 2004

• 13% of new immigrants have Mandarin as their mother tongue, compared to less than 1% twenty years ago

• Arabic is now the third most common mother tongue of new immigrants, accounting for 8% in 2004

Mother tongue of new immigrants 1984-2004

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1984 1989 1994 1999 2004

Cantonese

French

Punjabi

Spanish

English

Arabic

Mandarin

But, language and literacy skills are becoming an increasing barrier to successful integration:

60% of recent and established immigrants (compared to 37% of the Canadian-born) do not have sufficient literacy skills to meet the challenges of a knowledge-based economy and to enable strong civic participation.…while literacy abilities have declined


88

1. Pre-Selection, Pre-Arrival Information/PreparationCanadian Orientation Abroad (COA)

3. Adaptation (See TAB 3)Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program (ISAP)Host ProgramLanguage Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) - Enhanced Language Training (ELT) - Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP)

Integration Programs Partnership DeliveryCommunity Capacity Building

2. Arrival/Reception in Canada (See TAB 2)“Welcome to Canada” at Ports of EntryRefugee Reception at Ports of Entry

Citizenship Services

A.

C.

4. Citizenship (See TAB 4)Citizenship PreparationGrant of Canadian CitizenshipFull Participation in Canadian Society

D.

B.

Is a Canadian citizen under theprovisions of the Citizenship Actand, as such, is entitled to all therights and privileges and is subjectto all the duties and responsibilitiesof a Canadian citizen

est citoyen canadien aux termesde la Loi sur la citoyenneté et, à ce titre, jouit de tous les droits etprivilèges et est assujetti(e) à tousles devoirs et responsabilités d'uncitoyen canadien.

MINISTER - MINISTRE

Certificate ofCanadian Citizenship

John Doe

Going to Canada-Immigration Portal (Portal)Newcomer's Introduction to Canada

Program Supports - Range of integration programs have been developed over time.

B.

(See TAB 1)

There is a strong foundation to build upon, but….

Services In CanadaServices In Canada

Services AbroadServices Abroad


Canadian Language Benchmark Levels 1-7

In general, Canadian Language Benchmark Levels 7-10, with a bridge to work component

99… we have heard that some program limitations are emerging but we need to build evidence to prove this is the case …

Lack of breadth; client-specific information; availability. COACOA

PORTALPORTAL

ISAPISAP

Lack of awareness; regional/municipal/community specific information; client-specific modules eg. labour market.

Lack of case-management approach to deal with specific client-needs; paid internships for employment experience; client-specific mentoring programs

HOSTHOST Lack of Hosts - long waiting lists of newcomers; advertising/promotion; client-specific programs eg. mentoring

LINCLINC Lack of connection to individual’s mother tongue; assessment while individual is abroad; client-specific training; child minding services (available to adults only)

ELTELT Lack of assessment and training for individuals while abroad (available to adults only)

Lack of RAP services covering basic resettlement needs; limited health-care coverage (income support only available up to 12 months/temporary housing for 4-6 weeks) RAPRAP


Note: Programs offered in Canada are not available to immigrants who obtain citizenship

1010

…pointing towards to a need to move from a program approach to a client-centred approach.

address increasingly complex labour market requirements

meet specific gender, youth and seniors’ needs

respond to the unique needs of today’s refugees

equip newcomers to adapt to cultural norms of Canadian society

address needs as they change over the time continuum or adaptation

Integration is becoming increasingly complex…

An essentially “one-size fits all” approach does not always:


1111

Canada-Quebec Accord (Full Devolution)

BC/MB - CIC Funding/Province Manages Programs

AB/ON - CIC Funding/Co-Management with Province

Others & Territories – CIC Funding and Program Management

Multi-Stakeholder EngagementA range of partners and stakeholders are engaged to address a variety of integration needs.

There is an increasing array of programs, initiatives and partnerships to address integration needs.

VARIOUS DELIVERY ARRANGEMENTS

Community Associations

Boards of

Community

Trade

Ethnic Organizations

Municipalities

Service Provider Organizations

Immigrants & Refugees

Communities

Service

Employers

Immigrants & Refugees

Educational Institutions

Need to create coordinated approaches that clarify roles/responsibilities, strategically maximize collective capacity and respond to local needs/opportunities in order to improve outcomes for immigrants and refugees.

A patchwork of federal-provincial-territorial delivery arrangements and a lack of coordination between federal departments and with various stakeholders creates duplication, overlap and gaps in programs and services.

Faith-based organizationsFaith-based organizations


1212

2.1 Assessing the Multiple and Complex Dimensions of Integration

2.2 Advancing a Client-Centred Approach to Programming

2.3 Clarifying Roles and Responsibilities to Harness Potential Contributions of Partners and Stakeholders

2.4 Promoting Societal Awareness and Engagement

Thoughts for the FutureImmigrant Settlement and Integration

The current approach may not be adequate for present and future challenges which points towards a new approach to integration supports which requires:


1313Advancing a client-centred approach to programming Moving from programs to an approach based on client profile needs . . .

To provide the “right supports” to the “right people” at the “right time” See Annex for detailed illustrative examples


COACOA

PORTALPORTAL

ISAPISAP

HOSTHOST

LINCLINC

ELTELT

RAPRAP

•Foreign credential recognition •Bridge to work •Mentoring networks•Language training for industry specific occupational groups; •Internships to gain Canadian work experience

•Workforce; women at home, refugee / senior women •Childminding support; spousal abuse prevention, parenting skills

•Mentorship programs•Connect with communities, schools and peers - enhancing settlement workers in schools initiative•Marginalization/isolation

•Awareness of existing social services•Social networks•Literacy and life skills

•Resettlement Assistance Program-income support. •Socio-psychological stability; health, basic life skills, accommodation•Literacy, language training

LABOUR MARKET

GENDER

YOUTH

SENIORS

REFUGEES

. .

. .

..

..

..

..

..LA

BO

UR

MA

RK

ETG

END

ERYO

UTH

SEN

IOR

SR

EFU

GEE

S

Canadian Orientation Abroad

Going to Canada Immigration Portal

Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program

A volunteer-based matching program

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada

Enhanced Language Training

Resettlement Assistance Program

•

•

•

1414

Coherent Federal Approach

Improved Alignment with Provinces and Territories

Stronger Role for Municipalities and Communities

Broader Partnerships

Municipalities

Boards of Trade

Service Provider Organizations

Employers

Provinces

Faith-based Organizations

Ethnic Organizations

Harness potential contributions of partners and stakeholders

. . . while improving overall accountability/performance measurement capacity.


A rigorous assessment of the multiple and complex dimensions to integration will help identify contributions from partners/stakeholders towards enhancing local programs and services to improve integration outcomes.

Communities

1515

Successful economic integration is dependent on successful social integration

Integration efforts are complemented by engaged and actively accommodating communities

Informing Canadians’ and immigrants’ views/expectations around immigration

and integration, including:

Promoting Societal Awareness and Engagement to Improve Outcomes

“welcoming communities” for small, medium and large cities to encourage immigrant/refugee settlement in all parts of Canada

tools to support public education - including anti-racism and conflict resolution strategies

engage the Canadian public and immigrants/refugees as part of a broader dialogue on citizenship issues

. . . to create conditions for integration and inclusion.. . . to create conditions for integration and inclusion.


Documents

Immigrant Settlement and Integration. 2 enables successful economic, social and cultural outcomes for immigrants/refugees develops program supports