Federal, provincial and territorial immigration Ministers plan for the future of Canada’s immigration system
by CM staff
Ministers had conversations about settlement and integration efforts, Foreign Credential Recognition and Canada's humanitarian response to the developing situation in Ukraine.
HALIFAX — The Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration (FMRI) met at the Canadian Museum of Immigration in Halifax, Nova Scotia to continue their discussions on the future of immigration in Canada. Ministers focused on advancing joint initiatives to respond to pan-Canadian immigration priorities and make progress towards improving the effectiveness of Canada’s immigration system to meet economic and regional needs.
In follow-up to the meeting last July, Ministers discussed increasing provincial/territorial (PT) involvement in economic immigrant selection, increased allocations in the Provincial/Territorial Nominee Programs (PNPs), finding ways to improve application processing times, reducing duplication and providing greater agency over PNPs. Ministers welcomed IRCC’s Multi-Year Allocation Plan, which includes 44 per cent growth in PNP allocations for 2023. The plan also includes notional allocations for 2024 and 2025.
Ministers had conversations about settlement and integration efforts, Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) and Canada’s humanitarian response to the developing situation in Ukraine.
Canada’s Immigration Ministers condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and discussed how Ukrainians and their family members who are fleeing Russia’s aggression and violence have been welcomed and supported. They reviewed the initial results of the Ukraine Rapid Impact Evaluation, taking stock of the policies and supports put in place related to Canada’s immigration response.
Ministers continued to emphasize the need for a collaborative multilateral approach to cost and information sharing to ensure newcomers are welcomed in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. PT Ministers urged Canada to clarify the timeframe of the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) and to extend temporary measures, including the Canada-Ukraine Transitional Assistance Initiative and temporary hotel accommodations, to assist displaced Ukrainians arriving in Canada. Ministers raised the need to have future discussions on pathways to Permanent Residency for Ukrainians for those who seek to remain in Canada or are unable to return home to Ukraine.
Some Ministers raised the high volumes of asylum claimants crossing into Canada between ports of entry and reflected on their capacity to manage the new arrivals. The importance of continuing to work together in supporting vulnerable people who come to Canada to seek asylum was noted.
Ministers reflected on past service delivery models, the current approach, and what may be needed in the future for the delivery of settlement services, with an emphasis on exploring opportunities to better support outcomes and retention, including greater PT involvement and enhanced funding. Ministers took stock of current federal and PT roles in settlement services, recognizing both successes and challenges, as well as opportunities going forward.
Ministers agreed to take steps to ensure public support for immigration remains strong, and to continue to work together to ensure that long-term FPT immigration and settlement goals contribute to Canada’s current and future prosperity. Minister Fraser invited his colleagues to contribute to the recently launched Strategic Immigration Review.
