LMLIP Community Event 2013 Information Session

LMLIP Community Event 2013 Information Session

CIC s Mission CIC and its partners will build a stronger Canada by: Developing and implemen8ng policies, programs and services that: facilitate the arrival of people and their integra8on into Canada in a way that maximizes their contribu8on to the country while protec8ng the health, safety and security of Canadians; maintain Canada s humanitarian tradi8on by protec8ng refugees and people in need of protec8on; enhance the values and promote the rights and responsibili8es of Canadian ci8zenship; and reach out to all Canadians and foster increased intercultural understanding and an integrated society with equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, ethnicity and religion. Advancing global migra8on policies in a way that supports Canada s immigra8on and humanitarian objec8ves.

Vision for a stronger Canada A safe and secure country with a shared bond of ci8zenship and values; a country that con8nues to support our humanitarian tradi8on and draws the best from the world to help build a na8on that is economically, socially and culturally prosperous.

New Citizenship Certificate

New Confirmation of Permanent Residence IMM5688

Permanent Resident Card Original PR Card 2 nd Genera8on PR Card

2012 at a Glance For the seventh consecu8ve year, Canada con8nued the highest sustained level of immigra8on in Canadian history, according to preliminary 2012 data Canada welcomed 257,515 permanent residents in 2012. We have, on a per- capita basis, among the highest immigra8on rates in the world. Canada issued a record number of visitor visas in 2012 with almost 1 million visas approved Our department is con8nuing to move toward a modern and effec8ve immigra8on system that arracts the skilled immigrants that Canada s economy requires. The goal is a fast and flexible system that will respond more effec8vely to Canada s labour market needs, support family reunifica8on, and provide protec8on to genuine refugees. To meet this goal above, there were many changes to programs and new programs announced in 2012

Changes to the In Canada Refugee Claim Process Effec8ve December 15, 2012 changes were made in order to make Canada s asylum system faster and fairer Genuine refugees fleeing persecu8on now receive protec8on more quickly All eligible asylum claimants con8nue to receive a hearing at the independent Immigra8on and Refugee Board of Canada based on their individual circumstances. Under the new system claimants receive a hearing within 60 days a[er their claim is referred to the Immigra8on and Refugee Board. Under the previous system claimants could wait on average close to 600 days to receive a hearing For claimants from countries that do not normally produce refugees, (these countries fall under the heading Designated Countries of Origin or DCO s) their claims are expedited, but they will s8ll receive the same individualized hearing. Under the new system, failed asylum claimants will be removed from Canada within a year of their final Immigra8on and Refugee Board decision, compared to the current situa8on in which it generally takes 4 1/2 years to exhaust all resources and remove a failed refugee claimant. This new system is already a success, a[er just 3 months in opera8on. Overall the number of asylum claims received each week is down by 70 percent, compared to similar 8meframes over the past 6 years. If this trend con8nues, provinces and territories are expected to save an addi8onal 420 million over 5 years in social assistance, educa8on costs and health- care costs, pushing the total savings from asylum system reform to over $2 billion.

New Immigrants Our department is working toward a berer system of having immigrant foreign creden8als assessed in order to ensure that newcomers can start working in their fields faster. Our new website contains an interac8ve map that will help new immigrants to search for services in their area. We con8nue to improve the free services provided to new immigrants, which include, - language assessments and classes - help finding a job - help with daily life such as finding a place to live and filling out forms and applica8ons - informa8on about community services such as mentoring

Interim Federal Health Program The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) provides limited, temporary, taxpayer- funded coverage of health- care benefits to people in the following groups who are not eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance: - protected persons, including reserled refugees; - refugee claimants; and - certain other groups. A review of the IFH program was done and it was decided that in order to prevent abuse of Canadian health- care services, failed asylum claimants would no longer receive taxpayer- funded health care unless it is necessary to protect public health and safety. The changes were implemented on June 30, 2012. There are now 3 types of coverage, depending on the category the client belongs to at the 8me.

Changes to the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program In April 2012, a new centre was opened in Winnipeg to process private sponsorship of refugee applica8ons. It was opened in an effort to standardize the processing 8mes and to create specialists in the private sponsorship line of business The department has commired to increasing the number of applica8ons accepted in the private sponsorship class, as it has been found that refugees who come to Canada in this class serle more quickly and successfully than refugees that come to Canada through any other channel We are working to make the private sponsorship class run more efficiently by requiring all paperwork from both sponsor and refugee applicants to be submired at the same 8me and by requiring Group of 5 sponsored applicants to be first recognized as refugees by the United Na8ons High Commissioner for Refugees or a foreign state.

New Federal Skilled Trades Program Began accep8ng applica8ons Jan 2, 2013 Created to address serious labour shortages that some regions in the country are facing The goal of the program is to help grow Canada s economy In the program s first year, CIC will accept applica8ons from up to 3000 people in specific trades Applicants must demonstrate basic language proficiency in either English or French Other criteria include a valid offer of employment or a cer8ficate of qualifica8on from a province or territory, at least 2 years of work experience and mee8ng the employment requirements set out in the Na8onal Occupa8onal Classifica8on (NOC) system.

Changes to the Federal Skilled Worker Program Federal Skilled workers are selected as permanent residents based on their educa8on, work experience, knowledge of English and/or French, and other criteria that have been shown to help them become economically established in Canada. New criteria for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is set to take effect in May. Many prospec8ve immigrants may already be preparing to apply and should check our website regularly for upcoming changes. Changes will include a cap on the number of applica8ons that will be accepted in the first year, a new list of priority occupa8ons, and a list of organiza8ons that will be designated to conduct educa8onal assessments. Our website is the best resource for clients in determining if the Federal Skilled Worker class is right for them.

Anti-Fraud Measures March is An8- Fraud Month at CIC Deterring marriages of convenience Cracking down on unscrupulous immigra8on consultants Comba8ng residency fraud. Strengthening aspects of our Interna8onal Student Program

Other Noteworthy Changes and Announcements Improved service at the CIC Call Centre, including a pilot project where enquiries will be answered via social media Improvements to our website www.cic.gc.ca, making it easier to navigate and find answers to ques8ons Implemen8ng measures that would address human smuggling and irregular arrivals. The Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act, introduced in Parliament on June 20, 2012, included several proposed changes to the Immigra8on and Refugee Protec8on Act to protect the safety and security of Canadians. The use of biometrics in temporary resident visa applicants. New language rules for ci8zenship applicants Temporary bar on sponsorship of parents and grandparents and the crea8on of the Super Visa. The Start- up Visa Program By 2018 Canada will welcome up to 5000 refugees now in Turkey

London CIC Approx 15 staff members Func8ons include: Permanent Resident applica8on decisions, Residency determina8ons; Refugee Claims; some Permanent Resident Card distribu8on; Ci8zenship file processing, hearings and ceremonies; ReseRlement Assistance Program, SeRlement / Integra8on func8ons. CIC offices are no longer open to the public. We call clients in as needed for appointments or interviews An excep8on is made for those wishing to make refugee claims. They are asked to present themselves to our office between 8am and 4pm with the required forms completed. Correspondence accepted by mail only; fax when requested Clients are asked to call our Call Centre 1-888- 242-2100 (automated 24/7; can speak with someone live 8am 4pm) visit our website at www.cic.gc.ca or email case- specific enquiries to our mailbox at ques%on@cic.gc.ca.

Contact Information Address 417 Exeter Road London, Ontario Website www.cic.gc.ca Fax: 519-691- 8175 Call Centre 1-888- 242-2100

QUESTIONS?