Immigration & Citizenship

  1. The world is facing unprecedented global displacement levels, and like many countries, Canada is experiencing a rise in asylum claims. This has placed immense pressure on Canada’s shelter systems and as winter approaches, the need becomes more urgent. All levels of government must work together to address these challenges and develop solutions.
  2. The Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, on behalf of the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will hold a press conference to announce a federal contribution to support housing needs for asylum seekers in the Peel Region.
  3. The Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration (FMRI) met today in Toronto to continue discussions on the future of immigration in Canada. Ministers expressed support for a coordinated approach to address immigration opportunities and challenges, including collaborating on economic immigration to meet labour needs, while addressing pressures on social infrastructure, housing and settlement services. This approach is based on the principle of shared jurisdiction and mutual respect for both federal and provincial-territorial roles and responsibilities for immigration in Canada.* Ministers agreed that immigration is a key component of the country’s fabric, as it contributes to its diversity, economy, and meeting labour market needs. Ministers also concurred on the importance of supporting Canada’s response to humanitarian crises and the needs of vulnerable newcomers.
  4. Immigration pathway for Colombian, Haitian and Venezuelan nationals with family in Canada
  5. The world is facing an unprecedented migration crisis. With record numbers of people displaced internationally, Canada recognizes the need to take action and is working to support vulnerable individuals by providing them with safe and regular migration pathways. This is why Canada is providing an alternative to irregular migration by welcoming 15,000 people from the Western Hemisphere through a family-based humanitarian pathway in addition to our existing programs.
  6. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will hold a media availability alongside his provincial and territorial counterparts following a meeting of the Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration.
  7. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that eligible newcomers have the support and services they need to succeed in fully integrating into and contributing both to the Canadian economy and to their new communities.
  8. Francophone immigration plays an important role in the development and prosperity of Francophone communities outside Quebec. Canada therefore intends to increase its efforts to welcome more Francophone immigrants in these communities.
  9. “Today, we are celebrating the 11th edition of National Francophone Immigration Week under the theme ‘A welcoming land.’ This week allows us to highlight the importance of Francophone immigration to Canada. It is an opportunity for everyone in Canada to celebrate the cultural diversity that makes our country shine. This is also the time to express our appreciation for the extraordinary contribution of French-speaking immigrants to Canada’s cultural, demographic and economic richness."
  10. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will hold media availability following a roundtable discussion with the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, focusing on the 2023 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration Levels.
  11. Immigration drives Canada’s economy and fuels its future growth. As we continue to face an aging population and critical labour shortages in key sectors like health care, transportation and home building, newcomers are critical to help spur innovation, grow the economy, and support local businesses and communities.
  12. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will hold a media scrum following his keynote address at the C.D. Howe Institute on the 2023 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration Levels.
  13. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will hold a media scrum to address the 2024–2026 Immigration Levels Plan and Annual Report, outlining yearly targets for permanent immigration, with a focus on three classes: economic immigration, family reunification and humanitarian commitments.
  14. Canada is a top choice for people looking for a new place to work, study and build their lives with their families. Newcomers and visitors fuel our economy and add vibrancy to our communities. That is why an effective, innovative, and resilient immigration system is critical to position Canada for success, and to provide a transparent and fair experience for newcomers.
  15. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will unveil the Strategic Immigration Review report and the plan to improve Canada’s immigration system.
  16. The Government of Canada has a longstanding and proud tradition of welcoming the world’s most vulnerable people.
  17. Canada is a top destination of choice for international students, thanks to our high-quality educational institutions; our welcoming, diverse society; and the opportunities to work or immigrate permanently after graduation. While international students have contributed to life on campuses across the country, they have also experienced some serious challenges navigating Canada’s International Student Program.
  18. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will announce plans to implement several steps to strengthen Canada’s International Student Program and protect genuine students from fraud.
  19. “On behalf of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, I welcome the Office of the Auditor General’s report on processing applications for permanent residence. The audit was conducted in 2022 and examined how IRCC processes applications as well as methods for addressing backlogs, which highlight critical aspects of our nation’s immigration policies and procedures."
  20. The Government of Canada is helping Canadian employers efficiently hire the workers they need to fill jobs and grow our economy.
  21. “Earlier this year, we announced that we will welcome 15,000 migrants on a humanitarian basis from the Western Hemisphere. We are providing a path to economic opportunities to help address forced displacement, as an alternative to irregular migration. Through this initiative, we are providing regular migration pathways to people in the Americas by leveraging permanent resident humanitarian and economic pathways, and temporary work programs.”
  22. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced changes to Express Entry through category-based selection on May 31, 2023. These changes will help address labour shortages and support economic goals by inviting candidates with specific work experience or French language ability to apply for permanent residence.
  23. On May 31, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced changes to Express Entry through category-based selection. These changes will help address labour shortages and support economic goals by inviting candidates with specific work experience or French language ability to apply for permanent residence.
  24. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will welcome 48 of Canada’s newest citizens from 13 countries. The ceremony will be presided by Citizenship Judge Albert Wong.
  25. “By opening our doors to those seeking a better life, we open our communities to those wanting to build a stronger Canada. Other than Indigenous peoples, who have been here since time immemorial, all Canadians can trace their stories back to immigration. Whether your family has been here for many generations, like mine, or has just joined Canada, we can all celebrate the benefits of an inclusive welcoming community."
  26. As house prices have climbed, saving for a down payment is out of reach for many Canadians, particularly young people. Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, shared how the new tax-free First Home Savings Account is available and helping put home ownership back within reach of Canadians across the country.
  27. The Honorable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will share details about the new tax-free first home savings account.
  28. The Government of Canada is committed to providing Canadian youth with opportunities to gain international experience and perspectives, as they are particularly important in today’s global economy. Canadian youth will soon have easier access to a new destination for working and travelling abroad.
  29. Canada’s Express Entry system is now tailored to provide a streamlined and efficient pathway for individuals with expertise in critical fields. By prioritizing the invitation of skilled newcomers with experience in the trades, Canada aims to meet the increasing demand for talent and fill key positions that contribute to the nation’s economic growth and advancement.
  30. As Nova Scotia experiences severe flooding, the Government of Canada is urgently mobilizing to help support communities and the people who live in them. This includes help for Canadians and for people who will be crucial to the rebuilding effort.
  31. Human rights defenders (HRDs) are active in every part of the world and play an essential role in promoting and protecting human rights internationally. In many countries, HRDs are increasingly at risk of violence, often subject to threats and injustices, forced to flee their homes due to fear of attack and reprisal, and on occasion, unable to return to their home country. Individuals from vulnerable and marginalized groups are at particularly heightened risk due to their intersectional identities.
  32. Canada continues to receive unprecedented interest from people around the world who want to come here to work, study and build lives with their families. To improve that experience, the Government of Canada is modernizing its immigration platform to help ensure Canada remains a destination of choice.
  33. Canada is a nation that has been shaped by immigration. With increasing global migration, like many other countries, Canada is experiencing a rise in the number of people claiming asylum. While housing and supports for asylum claimants are the responsibility of provinces and municipalities, the federal government recognizes the need for all levels of government to work together on solutions to address the current need, and we have been there every step of the way.
  34. The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will make an important immigration announcement.
  35. As Russia’s ongoing, brutal invasion of Ukraine persists, Canada continues to adapt its response to help those fleeing violence. Since its launch in March 2022, the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) has provided temporary safe haven to over 166,000 Ukrainians. Now, we are introducing ongoing support for those who want to come to Canada, and for those who want to stay here permanently with their family.
  36. The governments of Canada and the United Kingdom are committed to providing Canadian and British youth with work opportunities that will empower them to achieve their full potential.
  37. The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, issued the following statement:
  38. Pre-arrival settlement services are key to setting newcomers up for success in Canada. They provide newcomers with the information and support they need to make informed decisions about their new lives in Canada before they arrive, which helps them successfully transition into their communities and find work faster.
  39. Canada continues to stand by Hong Kong residents, and supports their freedom and democracy. Since 2021, Canada has opened its doors to Hong Kongers through dedicated immigration pathways, and continues working to improve these pathways and make it easier for them to remain in Canada long-term.
  40. Paul Chiang, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion and Member of Parliament for Markham—Unionville, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will make an important announcement regarding continued support for Hong Kong residents in Canada.
  41. The French language is an integral part of the Canadian identity. It’s our shared responsibility to create a Canada where everyone can flourish in the official language of their choice. Given the importance of enhancing the vitality of French linguistic minority communities across the country, Canada's Express Entry system is now tailored to provide a streamlined and efficient pathway for French-speaking immigrants. By prioritizing the invitation of French-speaking newcomers, Canada aims to support economic growth through Francophone immigration outside Quebec while recognizing this enriches and strengthens these communities.
  42. The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, issued the following statement today
  43. The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will welcome several of Canada’s newest citizens at two special ceremonies in Toronto.
  44. Communities across Canada need health workers. The health field is one of several key sectors of Canada’s labour force which is facing unprecedented shortages. To help respond to this challenge, last month, Minister Fraser announced new changes to Canada’s flagship economic immigration program, Express Entry. Now the Government of Canada can issue invitations to apply for permanent residency in Canada to candidates from particular fields or with specific skills, training or language ability.
  45. On June 28, 2023, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced the first invitations under Express Entry for skilled newcomers with work experience in health care fields.
  46. Recognizing the immense value and transformative potential that STEM professionals bring to the country, Canada's Express Entry system is now tailored to provide a streamlined and efficient pathway for individuals with expertise in these critical fields. By prioritizing the invitation of skilled newcomers with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) experience, Canada aims to meet the growing demand for talent and fill key positions that contribute to the nation's economic growth and technological advancement
  47. The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will be joined by the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, to announce measures to address labour needs in the health care sector.
  48. Pre-arrival settlement services are key to setting newcomers up for success in Canada. They provide newcomers with the information and support they need to make informed decisions about their new lives in Canada before they arrive, which helps them successfully transition to their communities and find work faster.
  49. Pre-arrival settlement services are key to setting newcomers up for success in Canada. They provide newcomers with the information and support they need to make informed decisions about their new lives in Canada before they arrive, which helps them successfully transition to their communities and find work faster.
  50. Canada’s high-growth industries will provide the jobs of the future, and companies need access to top talent that will fuel innovation, and drive emerging technologies forward.