Future of Immigration in Canada: A Collaborative Approach

July 28, 2022—Saint John, NB — The Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration (FMRI) convened today to deliberate on the future of immigration in Canada, addressing the pressing issue of pan-Canadian labour shortages. The discussions centered around optimizing the immigration system to meet both economic and regional demands. Key points included increasing provincial and territorial involvement in the selection process, modernizing Express Entry, avoiding duplication, and enhancing allocations for the Provincial/Territorial Nominee Programs (PNPs), with multi-year allocations expected before March 31, 2023.

Addressing Global Humanitarian Crises

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to Canada's immigration response to international crises, notably the invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. Ministers explored federal-provincial/territorial measures aimed at attracting immigrants to satisfy labour market and demographic needs and evaluated recent settlement and integration efforts.

• Ukrainian Displacement: Canadian immigration ministers condemned Russia's actions in Ukraine, reiterating their commitment to supporting displaced Ukrainians. Efforts have been made to expedite their travel to Canada and extend essential services.
• Afghan Refugees: Canada has welcomed nearly 17,000 Afghan refugees, emphasizing the need for a coordinated approach to their integration.

Progress and Strategic Planning

Ministers reviewed the advancements achieved under the Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) Strategic Plan for Immigration (SPI) 2020-2023. They reaffirmed their dedication to making the immigration system a pivotal tool for economic recovery, safeguarding vulnerable populations, and aiding newcomers in their integration into Canadian society.

• Collaboration and Support: Greater collaboration was pledged in areas like temporary resident settlement services and pathways from temporary to permanent residency.

Record Immigration Numbers and Future Challenges

The ministers reflected on the record-setting influx of over 405,000 immigrants in 2021, a testament to the joint efforts across federal and provincial levels. Moving forward, the focus will be on enhancing consultation with stakeholders, including Indigenous Peoples, to refine the immigration levels plan.

• Processing Times: Improving federal immigration processing times was a key agenda item, with a consensus on aligning short-term strategies with long-term objectives.

Enhancing the Immigration System

Acknowledging Canada's comprehensive immigration framework within the OECD, ministers recognized areas for improvement, stressing the need for a client-centered, agile system. The discussion highlighted the integral roles of federal and PT governments in achieving regional economic immigration goals, leveraging PT insights into real-time labour market needs.

• Regional Immigration: Strategies to boost immigration in smaller and rural communities were considered, learning from initiatives like the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP). PNP remains a cornerstone for regional economic immigration.

Conclusion and Future Directions

Ministers committed to ensuring robust public support for immigration, recognizing its contribution to Canada's prosperity. A mid-term meeting is planned ahead of the next annual FMRI gathering to track progress and adapt strategies as needed.

Note on Quebec's Role

Per the Canada-Québec Accord, Quebec maintains observer status at the Federal-Provincial/Territorial Ministers’ Table, retaining autonomy over its immigration policies, levels, and integration processes.

About the FMRI

The Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration serves as an FPT decision-making body, aimed at fostering a flexible, timely, and effective immigration system for Canada. Established in 2020, the FMRI's mission is to advance joint immigration priorities, enhancing Canada's immigration policies and programs to bolster economic and social benefits nationwide.