Citizenship & Multiculturalism

Transcription

1 Citizenship & Multiculturalism Building an Inclusive Canada Andrew Griffith Conference Board Immigration Summit May 2017

2 Agenda Context and framework From British subjects to Canadian citizens Recent and planned changes Naturalization data Challenges 2

3 Canadian Model of Integration Selection Short-term Integration Citizenship Immigration (Permanent Residents) Foreign Workers (Temporary Residents) Language Orientation Employment Requirements Ceremonies and Awareness Multiculturalism Canadian History, Identity and Values 3

4 Immigration-Based Culture of Accommodation Canada built by successive waves of immigration Accommodation (imperfect) among Indigenous, French, and British Immigrant to citizen expectation Context for later later group arrivals and multiculturalism 4

5 Integration of Postwar Immigrants Canada Year Book 1959 In keeping with the democratic belief in the dignity and freedom of the individual, it is felt that integration should be voluntary and should not be pressed. It is assumed that integration is more moderate in its demands on the immigrant and less painful for him than assimilation would be. Assimilation usually means the complete absorption of the newcomer by the dominant culture. In the process, cultural and social differences are worn off and a moreor-less homogeneous society emerges. Integration, on the other hand, recognizes and respects the cultural contributions that may be made by people of diverse ethnic backgrounds who, nevertheless, are devoted to the welfare of the same country. The ultimate responsibility for integration rests with the Canadian people for, without their acceptance of the newcomers into community life, there can be no integration. One of the main objectives of the Citizenship Branch* therefore has been to encourage understanding and co-operation between old and new Canadians and between the various ethnic groups in the population. 5

6 Citizenship-related Policies 1960s Discrimination removed from immigrant selection (1962); points system introduced (1967) 1971 Multiculturalism Policy 1982 Charter of Rights and Freedoms 1988 Multiculturalism Act 1995 Employment Equity Act 6

7 Citizenship General Birthright or blood citizenship Residency: length, physical or legal presence Language and knowledge requirements Values Dual nationality Retention and subsequent generations Revocation 7

8 Evolving Citizenship Aspect Pre Act 1977 Act 2014 Act C Bill C-6 Birthright Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Residence (years) 5 after 1919 (shorter earlier) Language Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Knowledge Yes Yes Yes Yes Test Ages ( ) Dual nationality No No Yes Yes Yes Values good character good character Intent to reside Yes Yes No Yes No Retention Revocation (fraud) Revocation (terrorism) Declaration before age 22 Declaration before age 25 Declaration before age 28 First generation limit Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No 8

9 Multiculturalism Policy and Act 1971, 1988 To assist cultural groups to retain and foster their identity To assist cultural groups to overcome barriers to their full participation in Canadian society To promote creative exchanges among all Canadian cultural groups To assist immigrants in acquiring at least one of the official languages 9

10 Immigrants and Citizens , , ,000 75, British Subject Canadian Citizen New Citizens Immigrants 10

11 Changes 2010 Administrative and Operational Emphasis on history, military, responsibilities More difficult test (from 60 to 75 percent) Language preassessment Anti-fraud 11

12 2014 Citizenship Act Residency and Testing Longer residency (4 out of 6) and physical presence From honour system to residency questionnaire Intent to reside Knowledge and language required Eliminate pre-permanent residency time 50 percent credit 12

13 2014 Citizenship Act Integrity Physical presence, not just legal residency Knowledge requirement met in English or French, not through an interpreter Bar granting citizenship to those with foreign criminal charges and convictions Regulations for citizenship consultants Increased fines and penalties for fraud Requirement for adult applicants to file Canadian income taxes 13

14 2014 Citizenship Act Efficiency and Business Processes Ministerial authority to revoke citizenship for fraud, misrepresentation (previously, GiC) Ministerial authority on discretionary grants of citizenship (previously, GiC) Ability to cancel incomplete applications Single-step processing (previously three-step), ceremonial role for citizenship judges Electronic means to verify citizenship. Soft commitment one year processing 14

15 2014 Citizenship Act Fairness Lost Canadians fix Fees based on full cost recovery from $100 to $530, plus language testing (~ $200) Revocation for Fraud: Ministerial discretion Revocation for Terror or Treason for dual nationals Other Fast-track mechanism for Permanent Residents serving in the Canadian Forces 15

16 Liberal Changes 2017 (C-6) Adjustments, not full repeal Principle: A Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian Repeal revocation for dual nationals for terror or treason Remove barriers Restore the previous age limits for knowledge and language testing to (~ 10 percent of applicants) Repeal the intent to reside Restore pre-permanent residency time 50 percent credit Maintain physical presence but reduce time required to 3 out of 5 years New citizenship study guide (replace Discover Canada) 16

17 2017 C-6 Citizenship Act Integrity, Due Process Maintain C-24 integrity measures plus: No longer counting time spent under a conditional sentence order towards meeting physical presence Retroactive application of prohibition of applicants from taking oath if never met/no longer meet requirements Authority to seize fraudulent documents of those used fraudulently Restoration of procedural protections for those accused of fraud or misrepresentation Amendment in Senate 17

18 Other planned changes C-33 Elections Act amendment proposes unlimited voting rights for expatriates Ministerial mandate letter includes TRC recommendation for new oath: I swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, her heirs and successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada, including treaties with Indigenous peoples, and fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen. 18

19 Multiculturalism Changes Program weakened following transfer to IRCC and return to PCH Broader government diversity and inclusion agenda seen in appointments and hiring processes Current priorities work toward the elimination of discrimination, racism and prejudice; provide opportunities for youth community engagement; and bring people together through art, culture and/or sport. 19

20 What the data shows 20

21 Citizenship Take-up Foreign-born by Place of Birth, NHS 2011 Number Europe 67% 18% 2,226,100 Eastern & SE Asia 64% 31% 1,826,205 Southern Asia 63% 31% 927,775 Latin America 64% 25% 676,855 West Asia & ME 54% 30% 484,985 Caribbean 70% 22% 368,465 United States 42% 40% 316,465 Africa 46% 40% 314,890 Oceania 56% 31% 63,630 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Canadian Only Dual Nationals Non-Citizens 21

22 New Citizens Top 10 by Place of Birth, Other 832,000 or 48.5 percent India 205,433 Philippines China 171, ,416 Pakistan 81,340 Iran USA England Korea Colombia Sri Lanka 51,925 47,752 45,240 43,240 41,360 31,981 55, , , ,000 22

23 New Citizens Province of Residence Ontario 44.3% Quebec BC Alberta 15.5% 13.2% 18.9% Manitoba Saskatchewan Atlantic North Other 4.0% 2.1% 1.6% 0.1% 0.3% 12.5% 25% 37.5% 50% 23

24 Citizenship Applications & Citizens IRCC Operational Data 300,000 PR Trendline 225, ,000 75, Applications Applications 3-Year Moving Average New Citizens PR Trendline 24

25 Citizenship Take-Up 6 Years Since Landing vs All Years Since Landing % 60% 80% 79% 77% 74% 72% 69% 64% 61% 55% 47% 40% 20% 56% 50% 44% 47% Years Since Landing (2014 data) All Years Since Landing 25

26 Impact 2010 Changes Citizenship Test Percentage Decline by Country of Birth Compared to Caribbean -14.7% Southern & East African -14.5% South Asian -12.7% West Asian & Mid-East -12.7% Latin American -10% East & Southeast Asian -9.5% Central & West African -9.3% South European -9.2% North African -8.3% East European Oceania Overall Pass Rates -6.5% -5.2% West European French British % % -2.1% -1.8% -1.5% North American North European % -1.1% -0.9% -16% -12% -7% -3% 2% 26

27 Language Assessment Type of Assessment Diploma in Eng/Fr 62.4% Private testing 20.4% LINC, Prov Certificate 16.5% Other 0.4% Special needs No evidence 0.2% 0% Total Diploma 58,910 78,007 54, ,408 Private 15,278 28,722 18,601 62,601 LINC, Prov 12,330 22,069 16,129 50,528 18% 35% 53% 70% 27

28 Impact by Immigrant Class Percentage Change New Citizens Compared to % 0% 0.9% -8% -15% -23% -19.6% -17% -24.9% Economic Family Class Protected Persons Other 28

29 Fees Major barrier User fees exemption to reduce scrutiny $100 to $300 (Feb 2014) to $530 (Jan 2015) Language pre-assessment costs (~ $200) for 20 percent of applicants Dramatic decline in applications 50 % 29

30 Adult Processing Fee Revenues IRCC assumes no decline 182,400 adult applications (Canada Gazette) 100$ M $96,672,000 75$ M 50$ M $54,720,000 $48,864,410 25$ M $18,240,000 Pre-2014 $ $ $ $530 30

31 Competitiveness Country Residency Fee CAD Rate MIPEX UK 5 years $2,024 66% 60 Netherlands 5 years $1,190 78% 66 USA 5 years $950 60% 61 Canada 3 of 5 years $630 92% 67 New Zealand 5 years $441 78% 71 Germany 8 years $355 61% 72 Australia 3 of 4 years $285 83% 69 France 5 years $76 62% 61 MIPEX 2015 Indicator is Access to Nationality Naturalization Rate OECD 2015 Integration Report (10 years plus, NZ 2012 Report) Fees as of Feb

32 Observations & Policy Questions 32

33 Concluding Observations Balance between facilitation and meaningfulness Conservative integrity improvements maintained Canadian citizenship competitive But immigrant to citizen model at risk 33

34 Policy Questions Citizenship Balance between presence and mobility? Between meaningfulness and instrumental citizenship? Does naturalization matter? Should fees be based on cost recovery or mix of private and public interest considerations? What percent of immigrants expected to naturalize within what period of time? What voting rights should non-residents have? 34

35 Policy Questions Citizenship, Integration and Multiculturalism Gender-based analysis be expanded to include all employment equity groups? Governments collect race-based data for major citizen services? New Ethnic Diversity Survey or alternate? More informative annual Multiculturalism Report? 35

36 Andrew Griffith LinkedIn: andrewlgriffith Facebook: Andrew Griffith C&M Blog: Books: lulu.com