Immigration & Citizenship

  1. Canada remains deeply concerned about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, and the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Since Hamas’ terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, Canada has been actively working to support family members of Canadians and permanent residents from the region, as well as Israelis and Palestinians already in Canada.
  2. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will welcome 80 of Canada’s newest citizens from 15 different countries at a ceremony in Winnipeg. Citizenship Judge Suzanne Carrière will preside over the ceremony.
  3. Colonial borders have had profound impacts on Indigenous Peoples. They have put stress on families, kinship, cultural ties, traditional practices, language preservation and revitalization, governance, and economic opportunities. For some communities separated by the Canada–United States border, these impacts are felt on a daily basis.
  4. The federal government is committed to supporting critical sectors in regional economies while providing skilled workers with clear pathways to permanent residence.
  5. Earlier this year, I gave Canadians an update on the status of Canada’s immigration system and our ongoing work to make it more efficient and sustainable.
  6. Canada has a long and proud history of welcoming newcomers from around the world who support our economy and enrich our country. In response to labour shortages and the aftershocks of the pandemic, the federal government took steps to meet the urgent needs of businesses and support our economic recovery. Since then, Canada’s economy has evolved, and we must continue to adapt our immigration system to respond to new pressures, including a softening labour market.
  7. Immigration must be responsive to our country’s needs. Setting goals and targets for immigration is a critical part of how we support a well-managed, sustainable immigration system built on community capacity, humanitarian responsibilities and economic objectives, while prioritizing the health, safety and security of Canadians.
  8. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, will make an announcement regarding the strengthening of our temporary resident programs and migration pathways.
  9. “By celebrating our strengths and differences, we create a community where everyone feels included and valued. With the exception of Indigenous Peoples, all of us trace our stories back to immigration. Whether your family has been here for generations or you have recently arrived, we can all benefit from a welcoming community.”
  10. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will welcome 61 of Canada’s newest citizens from 24 countries in a ceremony to mark the start of Welcoming Week. Welcoming Week, which runs this year from September 13 to 22, is an annual opportunity to recognize and celebrate the people, places and values that help everyone feel welcome and give them a sense of belonging in their community, no matter where they come from. Citizenship Judge Rania Sfeir will preside over the ceremony.
  11. Francophone immigration plays a crucial role in strengthening our national identity. This is why Canada is redoubling its efforts to welcome French-speaking newcomers who will enrich the linguistic, social, cultural and economic fabric of Francophone minority communities (FMCs).
  12. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will announce the addition of new communities to the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative and the new Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot.
  13. Last year, Canada experienced the worst wildfire season on record, which threatened the health, safety and economic stability of people in Canada and their communities. Canada’s climate is warming twice as fast as the global average. As our climate continues to change, extreme hot temperatures will become more frequent and more intense due to climate change. This will increase the severity of heat waves and contribute to increased drought and wildfire risks. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting those affected across the county and assisting provinces and territories with their emergency responses.
  14. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will welcome 400 of Canada’s newest citizens from 65 different countries at a special citizenship ceremony to mark the 40th anniversary of Cirque du Soleil. This will be one of the largest citizenship ceremonies in recent years and the largest ceremony across Canada to date this year. The ceremony will be presided by Citizenship Judge Rodney Simmons. Cirque du Soleil ECHO performers will join the new citizens in the singing of the national anthem.
  15. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will welcome 25 of Canada’s newest citizens from six countries. The ceremony will be presided by Citizenship Judge Carol-Ann Hart.
  16. On Canada Day, we celebrate our freedoms and reflect on our rights and responsibilities as Canadian citizens. We remember and honour the shared history, symbols and values that define us as Canadians. A critical part of being Canadian is understanding the histories and realities of Indigenous Peoples, who have been caretakers of this land since time immemorial, and recognizing their integral role in this country’s past, present and future.
  17. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will welcome 24 of Canada’s newest citizens from 6 countries at a ceremony hosted by the Toronto Blue Jays. The ceremony will take place in the TD Summit Suite at Rogers Centre and will be closed to the public. Citizenship Judge Rodney Simmons will preside over the ceremony.
  18. Growing communities need more infrastructure. Community facilities, like libraries and cultural and recreation centres, are essential spaces where Canadians can come together as neighbours. That is why, as part of Budget 2024, the federal government committed to investing in cities and towns across the country.
  19. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will highlight investments in Budget 2024.
  20. A safe and secure flow of goods and people across the Canada–United States border is critical to North America’s economy and the close person-to-person ties that Canadians and Americans enjoy. That’s why we continue to look for ways to make it easier and faster to cross the border without compromising the integrity of our immigration system.
  21. Canada honours and shows solidarity with refugees worldwide
  22. Caregivers from abroad are invaluable to Canadian families. Their hard work makes a difference in the lives of those they care for, including children, seniors and persons with disabilities.
  23. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will hold a media scrum to discuss the caregiver program.
  24. We remain deeply concerned about the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Gaza. Many people are worried about their loved ones and have expressed significant interest in the temporary special measures we introduced for their extended family in Gaza. That is why, as part of our humanitarian response, we have increased the number of temporary resident visa applications that will be accepted into processing as part of these measures from 1,000 to 5,000. Over the past few weeks, we have been issuing more web codes so that clients can apply for a temporary resident visa.
  25. As the security situation in Haiti remains volatile, the Government of Canada continues to take action to help people who have been impacted by the violence and deteriorating security conditions.
  26. We can become citizens in different ways. Some of us are lucky enough to be born in Canada. Others are newcomers who chose Canada, join our communities and earn their citizenship – sometimes referred to as naturalized citizens.
  27. Canadian citizenship is highly valued around the world. It provides the right to vote, to run for political office and to hold a Canadian passport. For many immigrants, citizenship is key to integration. It also provides a sense of belonging to a diverse and inclusive country built on the principles of democracy, equality and multiculturalism.
  28. The Citizenship Act contains a first-generation limit to citizenship by descent, which means that a Canadian citizen parent can pass on citizenship to a child born outside Canada if the parent was either born in Canada or naturalized before the birth of the child. Canadians born or naturalized in Canada before adopting a child born abroad can apply for a direct grant of citizenship for the adopted child
  29. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will hold a media scrum regarding the introduction of a citizenship bill. Minister Miller will be joined by Jenny Kwan, Member of Parliament for Vancouver East, and Kathryn Burton, advocate and parent.
  30. Rural and Francophone minority communities are key to both Canada’s long-term growth and our linguistic vitality. However, these communities face unique economic and demographic challenges. That is why the Government of Canada is launching two new pilots this fall to attract the skilled workers they need to grow their economies and communities.
  31. To celebrate Citizenship Week, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will welcome 50 of Canada’s newest citizens. Citizenship Judge Rochelle Ivri will preside over the ceremony.
  32. I’m happy to be joined by Jeremy Harrison from the Government of Saskatchewan [Minister of Trade and Export Development, Immigration and Career Training, Innovation Saskatchewan, and Tourism Saskatchewan], as the co-chair of this forum.
  33. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, issued the following statement to mark the start of Citizenship Week, which runs from May 13 to 19, 2024:
  34. The Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration (FMRI) met today to discuss Canada’s immigration levels planning for 2025–2027.
  35. To celebrate Citizenship Week, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will welcome 40 of Canada’s newest citizens. Citizenship Judge Carol-Ann Hart will preside over the ceremony.
  36. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, alongside his provincial and territorial counterparts, will be available to media following a meeting of the Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration.
  37. Regional economic immigration programs support the sustainable growth and economic stability of our country, and contribute significantly to the cultural diversity and enrichment of Canada.
  38. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) plays a crucial role in ensuring the integrity of our immigration system and holds accountable individuals who attempt to defraud new immigrants to Canada.
  39. I want to start by acknowledging that we are gathering today from the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation.
  40. Before I begin, I’d like to acknowledge that we are gathering on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples, who have been stewards of this land since timeimmemorial.
  41. International students enrich Canada’s social, cultural and economic fabric. That is why, in recent months, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has introduced reforms to the International Students Program, to ensure system integrity while protecting students from fraud and financial vulnerability.
  42. Immigration is critical to the growth of our economy and our communities. Improving processing times is key to providing an immigration system that works better for newcomers and Canadians alike, which is why we are taking action to reduce wait times and modernize our programs and services.
  43. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will hold a media scrum to address new rules governing off-campus work hours for international students.
  44. I’d like to begin by acknowledging that I’m speaking to you today from the traditional territory of the Wendat [WHEN-daht], Anishinaabeg [uh-nish-uh-NAH-bay], Haudenosaunee [Ho de noh SHOW nee], and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
  45. I would like to begin by acknowledging we are gathering on the traditional and unceded territory of a number of First Nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnaabeg, the Chippewa, and the Haudenosaunee peoples. We honour them as the past, present and future caretakers of this land.
  46. Good morning/afternoon. Thank you all for joining us today.
  47. I’d like to acknowledge that we are gathering on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishanaabeg People.
  48. I want to begin by acknowledging that we are gathered on the ancestral, unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. We pay our respects to the First Nation ancestors of these lands and reaffirm our relationship with one another.
  49. I’ll begin by acknowledging that we are gathering on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishanaabeg People.
  50. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, will highlight an electric vehicle supply chain as part of Budget 2024’s commitments. Minister Miller will be joined by the Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business, and the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity.