Question Period Note: SETTLEMENT SERVICES

Update on how IRCC supports settlement services for immigrants.

• Our Government is committed to eliminating integration barriers and maximizing newcomers’ participation in Canada’s economy and society.

• All permanent residents and protected persons are eligible for settlement services, both before and after they arrive in Canada.

• Investments in the Settlement Program (outside Quebec) have increased from $200 million in 2005-2006, to more than $779 million in 2019-2020.

• At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, service providers moved quickly to adapt their service offerings to online and remote delivery methods. My Department introduced several measures to support this transition. As a result, service providers have been successful in maintaining a high degree of service continuity for newcomers.

If pressed
• Federally-funded settlement services are delivered by more than 500 Service Provider Organizations, to help newcomers prepare for life in Canada and successfully integrate.

• Canada is recognized internationally for its inclusive policies that support diversity and for its unique two-way approach to integration. One objective of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) Section 3 (1) (e) is “to promote the successful integration of permanent residents into Canada, while recognizing that integration involves mutual obligations for new immigrants and Canadian society”.

• Canada has a managed immigration model that includes setting annual immigration levels, selecting immigrants, supporting their settlement in the early years after arrival, facilitating the acquisition of Canadian citizenship and assisting with long-term integration. The ultimate goal is for immigrants to fully participate in the economic, social, cultural and political life of Canada.

Settlement services for immigrants in Canada

• Under the terms and conditions of IRCC’s Settlement Program, all permanent residents (including resettled refugees and protected persons) are eligible to receive settlement services, including the principal applicants and members of their families, up to the point of citizenship.

• Temporary residents, asylum seekers and Canadian citizens are not eligible for federally-funded settlement services. However, the department has extended client eligibility for certain settlement services to temporary residents participating in a permanent residence program through regional pilots, including in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot and the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.

• The Settlement Program is delivered by more than 500 service provider organizations (SPOs) in over 4,000 locations, including urban and rural areas, and in Francophone Minority Communities. In 2018-19, nearly 520,000 clients accessed at least one settlement service, a 13.5% increase in clients served from 2017-18 and a 22% increase since 2016-17.

• In 2017-2018 the Department spent more than $714 million for the Settlement Program, outside of Quebec. In 2018-2019 it invested approximately $768 million. In 2019-20, it plans to invest more than $779 million to deliver the Settlement Program, including $32 million to support the Syrian refugees’ efforts.

• Following the Settlement Program’s most recent Call for Proposals process in 2019, the Department signed more than 750 agreements for settlement services, including 20 newly-selected Francophone organizations to support integration into Francophone Minority Communities. This will provide stable funding to the settlement sector over a five-year period (2020-2025).

• Federally-funded settlement services aim to provide immigrants with:
o Needs and assets assessments and referrals: This service includes an initial assessment of immigrants’ needs conducted with a service provider, resulting in a personalized settlement plan with referrals to a broad spectrum of IRCC-funded and other community services such as housing, health, financial, etc.

o Information and orientation: This includes one-on-one, family and in-class information sessions on topics such as public transportation, schools in Canada, filing taxes and banking, available both pre- and post-arrival.

o Language assessment and training: Formal English and French language training is delivered as Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada (CLIC). Language training helps adult newcomers acquire the official language skills they need to contribute to the Canadian economy and integrate into their communities.

o Employment-related services: These services are aimed at helping immigrants with job search and preparation for the labour market. This includes basic skills such as résumé-writing and interview techniques, as well as mentoring and bridging programs to connect employers and immigrants.

o Community connections: These programs are designed to reduce social isolation and promote a sense of belonging. They can include conversation circles and matching recent immigrants with Canadian citizens or established immigrants.

o Support Services: Additional supports are available to immigrants in order to encourage uptake and remove barriers to attending settlement services. These supports are available free of charge to all immigrants who need childcare, transportation, translation, interpretation, crisis counseling, and provisions for disabilities.

• Specialized supports are also available to address gender based violence as well as enhanced settlement services for LGBTQ2 and other vulnerable populations.

The impacts of COVID-19 on Canada’s settlement sector

• COVID-19 has heightened economic and social integration barriers for some newcomers, especially vulnerable populations, such as refugees, women, and seniors. In response to these challenges and amid physical distancing requirements, service providers rapidly expanded services that were previously delivered online. In addition, many services that have traditionally been delivered in-person have been adapted to remote and online delivery methods,

• To support service providers in this transformation, the Department acted quickly on a number of fronts, including:

o Providing clear direction on critical services to be delivered in-person and non-critical services to be delivered remotely;

o Signing new agreements and amendments (totalling [REDACTED]) to respond to service providers’ COVID-related needs;

o Enabling service providers to purchase IT equipment for their staff and to loan to clients in need; and

o Implementing a temporary 15% wage increase for frontline settlement workers providing essential services.

• Settlement Sector efforts, coupled with Departmental supports, have resulted in a successful transition to an increase in remote service delivery. Service providers have been able to ensure a high degree of service continuity for clients. The Department is continuing to engage closely with the Settlement Sector and other partners, including provinces/territories, to monitor and adapt to evolving public health guidance.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND SUPPORTS

Francophone Immigration

• The Department funds services that facilitate the integration and retention of French-speaking immigrants and refugees into Francophone Minority Communities (outside Quebec).

• On March 13th 2019, the Meeting our Objectives: Francophone Immigration Strategy was launched to increase Francophone immigration to reach a 4,4% target of French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec by 2023; strengthen settlement and integration of French-speaking newcomers; and build capacity of settlement organizations in Francophone minority communities.

• In 2018, the Minister of Canadian Heritage announced $40.8M over five years within its Action Plan for Official Languages 2018-2023 to support Francophone immigration. IRCC is establishing a consolidated Francophone integration pathway, which includes:
o welcoming the Francophone Communities Initiative;
o strengthening Francophone settlement sector; and
o increasing availability and access to settlement language training services adapted to the needs of French-speaking newcomers.

• The Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative will help support French-speaking newcomers across Canada. A total of 14 welcoming communities were identified by the community stakeholders themselves. IRCC worked closely with the Réseaux en immigration francophone across the country to implement this new initiative in April 2020.

• This collaborative process between the Francophone communities and IRCC started in June 2018. Fourteen (14) communities were selected to get $12.6 million (over 3 years) for projects to make French-speaking newcomers feel welcome in their new community.

• Settlement outcomes will also be improved through new Francophone reception services at Pearson International Airport; new language training services adapted to the needs of French-speaking immigrants; and the recent introduction of a single pre-arrival window of service for French-speaking newcomers.

Supporting Newcomer Women

• Under Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-based Violence, IRCC received $1.5 million in funding over five years to further enhance its Settlement Program. This funding is being used to deliver targeted services for newcomer women and youth with place-based interventions that address isolation and provide mental health supports. Initiatives include training for front-line settlement workers to assist in identifying abuse and making appropriate referrals for newcomers, including those in smaller cities and rural communities.

• As part of the Strategy, the Department is supporting the development of a National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, which will include specific initiatives to respond to the effects of COVID-19 and to support the post-COVID recovery.

• IRCC also offers Support Services— including child care, transportation assistance, translation, interpretation, crisis counselling and provisions for disabilities—to ensure that families, and specifically women who would not otherwise have access to settlement programming, can benefit from a range of supports to facilitate their successful integration.

• Canada is recognized internationally for its inclusive policies that support diversity and for its unique two-way approach to integration. One objective of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) Section 3 (1) (e) is “to promote the successful integration of permanent residents into Canada, while recognizing that integration involves mutual obligations for new immigrants and Canadian society”.

• Canada has a managed immigration model that includes setting annual immigration levels, selecting immigrants, supporting their settlement in the early years after arrival, facilitating the acquisition of Canadian citizenship and assisting with long-term integration. The ultimate goal is for immigrants to fully participate in the economic, social, cultural and political life of Canada.

Settlement services for immigrants in Canada

• Under the terms and conditions of IRCC’s Settlement Program, all permanent residents (including resettled refugees and protected persons) are eligible to receive settlement services, including the principal applicants and members of their families, up to the point of citizenship.

• Temporary residents, asylum seekers and Canadian citizens are not eligible for federally-funded settlement services. However, the department has extended client eligibility for certain settlement services to temporary residents participating in a permanent residence program through regional pilots, including in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot and the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.

• The Settlement Program is delivered by more than 500 service provider organizations (SPOs) in over 4,000 locations, including urban and rural areas, and in Francophone Minority Communities. In 2018-19, nearly 520,000 clients accessed at least one settlement service, a 13.5% increase in clients served from 2017-18 and a 22% increase since 2016-17.

• In 2017-2018 the Department spent more than $714 million for the Settlement Program, outside of Quebec. In 2018-2019 it invested approximately $768 million. In 2019-20, it plans to invest more than $779 million to deliver the Settlement Program, including $32 million to support the Syrian refugees’ efforts.

• Following the Settlement Program’s most recent Call for Proposals process in 2019, the Department signed more than 750 agreements for settlement services, including 20 newly-selected Francophone organizations to support integration into Francophone Minority Communities. This will provide stable funding to the settlement sector over a five-year period (2020-2025).

• Federally-funded settlement services aim to provide immigrants with:
o Needs and assets assessments and referrals: This service includes an initial assessment of immigrants’ needs conducted with a service provider, resulting in a personalized settlement plan with referrals to a broad spectrum of IRCC-funded and other community services such as housing, health, financial, etc.

o Information and orientation: This includes one-on-one, family and in-class information sessions on topics such as public transportation, schools in Canada, filing taxes and banking, available both pre- and post-arrival.

o Language assessment and training: Formal English and French language training is delivered as Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada (CLIC). Language training helps adult newcomers acquire the official language skills they need to contribute to the Canadian economy and integrate into their communities.

o Employment-related services: These services are aimed at helping immigrants with job search and preparation for the labour market. This includes basic skills such as résumé-writing and interview techniques, as well as mentoring and bridging programs to connect employers and immigrants.

o Community connections: These programs are designed to reduce social isolation and promote a sense of belonging. They can include conversation circles and matching recent immigrants with Canadian citizens or established immigrants.

o Support Services: Additional supports are available to immigrants in order to encourage uptake and remove barriers to attending settlement services. These supports are available free of charge to all immigrants who need childcare, transportation, translation, interpretation, crisis counseling, and provisions for disabilities.

• Specialized supports are also available to address gender based violence as well as enhanced settlement services for LGBTQ2 and other vulnerable populations.

The impacts of COVID-19 on Canada’s settlement sector

• COVID-19 has heightened economic and social integration barriers for some newcomers, especially vulnerable populations, such as refugees, women, and seniors. In response to these challenges and amid physical distancing requirements, service providers rapidly expanded services that were previously delivered online. In addition, many services that have traditionally been delivered in-person have been adapted to remote and online delivery methods,

• To support service providers in this transformation, the Department acted quickly on a number of fronts, including:

o Providing clear direction on critical services to be delivered in-person and non-critical services to be delivered remotely;

o Signing new agreements and amendments (totalling $1.5M) to respond to service providers’ COVID-related needs;

o Enabling service providers to purchase IT equipment for their staff and to loan to clients in need; and

o Implementing a temporary 15% wage increase for frontline settlement workers providing essential services.

• Settlement Sector efforts, coupled with Departmental supports, have resulted in a successful transition to an increase in remote service delivery. Service providers have been able to ensure a high degree of service continuity for clients. The Department is continuing to engage closely with the Settlement Sector and other partners, including provinces/territories, to monitor and adapt to evolving public health guidance.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND SUPPORTS

Francophone Immigration

• The Department funds services that facilitate the integration and retention of French-speaking immigrants and refugees into Francophone Minority Communities (outside Quebec).

• On March 13th 2019, the Meeting our Objectives: Francophone Immigration Strategy was launched to increase Francophone immigration to reach a 4,4% target of French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec by 2023; strengthen settlement and integration of French-speaking newcomers; and build capacity of settlement organizations in Francophone minority communities.

• In 2018, the Minister of Canadian Heritage announced $40.8M over five years within its Action Plan for Official Languages 2018-2023 to support Francophone immigration. IRCC is establishing a consolidated Francophone integration pathway, which includes:
o welcoming the Francophone Communities Initiative;
o strengthening Francophone settlement sector; and
o increasing availability and access to settlement language training services adapted to the needs of French-speaking newcomers.

• The Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative will help support French-speaking newcomers across Canada. A total of 14 welcoming communities were identified by the community stakeholders themselves. IRCC worked closely with the Réseaux en immigration francophone across the country to implement this new initiative in April 2020.

• This collaborative process between the Francophone communities and IRCC started in June 2018. Fourteen (14) communities were selected to get $12.6 million (over 3 years) for projects to make French-speaking newcomers feel welcome in their new community.

• Settlement outcomes will also be improved through new Francophone reception services at Pearson International Airport; new language training services adapted to the needs of French-speaking immigrants; and the recent introduction of a single pre-arrival window of service for French-speaking newcomers.

Supporting Newcomer Women

• Under Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-based Violence, IRCC received $1.5 million in funding over five years to further enhance its Settlement Program. This funding is being used to deliver targeted services for newcomer women and youth with place-based interventions that address isolation and provide mental health supports. Initiatives include training for front-line settlement workers to assist in identifying abuse and making appropriate referrals for newcomers, including those in smaller cities and rural communities.

• As part of the Strategy, the Department is supporting the development of a National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, which will include specific initiatives to respond to the effects of COVID-19 and to support the post-COVID recovery.

• IRCC also offers Support Services— including child care, transportation assistance, translation, interpretation, crisis counselling and provisions for disabilities—to ensure that families, and specifically women who would not otherwise have access to settlement programming, can benefit from a range of supports to facilitate their successful integration.

• Canada is recognized internationally for its inclusive policies that support diversity and for its unique two-way approach to integration. One objective of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) Section 3 (1) (e) is “to promote the successful integration of permanent residents into Canada, while recognizing that integration involves mutual obligations for new immigrants and Canadian society”.

• Canada has a managed immigration model that includes setting annual immigration levels, selecting immigrants, supporting their settlement in the early years after arrival, facilitating the acquisition of Canadian citizenship and assisting with long-term integration. The ultimate goal is for immigrants to fully participate in the economic, social, cultural and political life of Canada.

Settlement services for immigrants in Canada

• Under the terms and conditions of IRCC’s Settlement Program, all permanent residents (including resettled refugees and protected persons) are eligible to receive settlement services, including the principal applicants and members of their families, up to the point of citizenship.

• Temporary residents, asylum seekers and Canadian citizens are not eligible for federally-funded settlement services. However, the department has extended client eligibility for certain settlement services to temporary residents participating in a permanent residence program through regional pilots, including in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot and the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.

• The Settlement Program is delivered by more than 500 service provider organizations (SPOs) in over 4,000 locations, including urban and rural areas, and in Francophone Minority Communities. In 2018-19, nearly 520,000 clients accessed at least one settlement service, a 13.5% increase in clients served from 2017-18 and a 22% increase since 2016-17.

• In 2017-2018 the Department spent more than $714 million for the Settlement Program, outside of Quebec. In 2018-2019 it invested approximately $768 million. In 2019-20, it plans to invest more than $779 million to deliver the Settlement Program, including $32 million to support the Syrian refugees’ efforts.

• Following the Settlement Program’s most recent Call for Proposals process in 2019, the Department signed more than 750 agreements for settlement services, including 20 newly-selected Francophone organizations to support integration into Francophone Minority Communities. This will provide stable funding to the settlement sector over a five-year period (2020-2025).

• Federally-funded settlement services aim to provide immigrants with:
o Needs and assets assessments and referrals: This service includes an initial assessment of immigrants’ needs conducted with a service provider, resulting in a personalized settlement plan with referrals to a broad spectrum of IRCC-funded and other community services such as housing, health, financial, etc.

o Information and orientation: This includes one-on-one, family and in-class information sessions on topics such as public transportation, schools in Canada, filing taxes and banking, available both pre- and post-arrival.

o Language assessment and training: Formal English and French language training is delivered as Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada (CLIC). Language training helps adult newcomers acquire the official language skills they need to contribute to the Canadian economy and integrate into their communities.

o Employment-related services: These services are aimed at helping immigrants with job search and preparation for the labour market. This includes basic skills such as résumé-writing and interview techniques, as well as mentoring and bridging programs to connect employers and immigrants.

o Community connections: These programs are designed to reduce social isolation and promote a sense of belonging. They can include conversation circles and matching recent immigrants with Canadian citizens or established immigrants.

o Support Services: Additional supports are available to immigrants in order to encourage uptake and remove barriers to attending settlement services. These supports are available free of charge to all immigrants who need childcare, transportation, translation, interpretation, crisis counseling, and provisions for disabilities.

• Specialized supports are also available to address gender based violence as well as enhanced settlement services for LGBTQ2 and other vulnerable populations.

The impacts of COVID-19 on Canada’s settlement sector

• COVID-19 has heightened economic and social integration barriers for some newcomers, especially vulnerable populations, such as refugees, women, and seniors. In response to these challenges and amid physical distancing requirements, service providers rapidly expanded services that were previously delivered online. In addition, many services that have traditionally been delivered in-person have been adapted to remote and online delivery methods,

• To support service providers in this transformation, the Department acted quickly on a number of fronts, including:

o Providing clear direction on critical services to be delivered in-person and non-critical services to be delivered remotely;

o Signing new agreements and amendments (totalling $1.5M) to respond to service providers’ COVID-related needs;

o Enabling service providers to purchase IT equipment for their staff and to loan to clients in need; and

o Implementing a temporary 15% wage increase for frontline settlement workers providing essential services.

• Settlement Sector efforts, coupled with Departmental supports, have resulted in a successful transition to an increase in remote service delivery. Service providers have been able to ensure a high degree of service continuity for clients. The Department is continuing to engage closely with the Settlement Sector and other partners, including provinces/territories, to monitor and adapt to evolving public health guidance.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND SUPPORTS

Francophone Immigration

• The Department funds services that facilitate the integration and retention of French-speaking immigrants and refugees into Francophone Minority Communities (outside Quebec).

• On March 13th 2019, the Meeting our Objectives: Francophone Immigration Strategy was launched to increase Francophone immigration to reach a 4,4% target of French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec by 2023; strengthen settlement and integration of French-speaking newcomers; and build capacity of settlement organizations in Francophone minority communities.

• In 2018, the Minister of Canadian Heritage announced $40.8M over five years within its Action Plan for Official Languages 2018-2023 to support Francophone immigration. IRCC is establishing a consolidated Francophone integration pathway, which includes:
o welcoming the Francophone Communities Initiative;
o strengthening Francophone settlement sector; and
o increasing availability and access to settlement language training services adapted to the needs of French-speaking newcomers.

• The Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative will help support French-speaking newcomers across Canada. A total of 14 welcoming communities were identified by the community stakeholders themselves. IRCC worked closely with the Réseaux en immigration francophone across the country to implement this new initiative in April 2020.

• This collaborative process between the Francophone communities and IRCC started in June 2018. Fourteen (14) communities were selected to get $12.6 million (over 3 years) for projects to make French-speaking newcomers feel welcome in their new community.

• Settlement outcomes will also be improved through new Francophone reception services at Pearson International Airport; new language training services adapted to the needs of French-speaking immigrants; and the recent introduction of a single pre-arrival window of service for French-speaking newcomers.

Supporting Newcomer Women

• Under Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-based Violence, IRCC received $1.5 million in funding over five years to further enhance its Settlement Program. This funding is being used to deliver targeted services for newcomer women and youth with place-based interventions that address isolation and provide mental health supports. Initiatives include training for front-line settlement workers to assist in identifying abuse and making appropriate referrals for newcomers, including those in smaller cities and rural communities.

• As part of the Strategy, the Department is supporting the development of a National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, which will include specific initiatives to respond to the effects of COVID-19 and to support the post-COVID recovery.

• IRCC also offers Support Services— including child care, transportation assistance, translation, interpretation, crisis counselling and provisions for disabilities—to ensure that families, and specifically women who would not otherwise have access to settlement programming, can benefit from a range of supports to facilitate their successful integration.

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