MONTREAL, QUE.—Official languages is generally a tricky business, because it is about enabling a Canadian value across a complex country governed by a confederal system of government. On top of that, the federal government is bringing a deficit under control.  Institutions are dealing with cuts, people are losing jobs, and there is turmoil as organizations move to do more with less where they can, and often wind up doing less with less.

Canada has English and French linguistic minority communities. The government of Canada is committed to enhancing the vitality of both, as well as ensuring respect for and advancing the core Canadian value of linguistic duality. And so there is an official languages strategy, the last two of which have been called ‘Roadmaps’.

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Ottawa, May 13, 2013 — The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, today issued the following statement regarding the removal over the weekend of Mahmoud Mohammad Issa Mohammad:

“Mr. Mohammad entered Canada in 1987 and was first found to be inadmissible to Canada on the basis of misrepresentation and subsequently found to be ineligible to make a refugee claim because he had been a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and had participated in a terrorist attack on an Israeli plane, which killed an Israeli citizen in 1968.

“Mr. Mohammad was convicted of that crime in Greece, but was freed before completing his sentence as part of the resolution of another hostage taking. He then misrepresented himself to enter Canada, where he remained until his removal over the weekend.

“This convicted terrorist was able to use numerous and repetitive appeals and loopholes under Canada’s old, broken immigration system to remain in Canada for 25 years. Fortunately, since 2006, the Government has acted to strengthen the integrity of Canada’s immigration system. The introduction of biometrics, reforms to Canada’s asylum system, and the Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act, among many other measures, all help to avoid another convicted terrorist like Mr. Mohammad being able to remain in Canada for so long.

“Canada’s immigration and refugee determination system is one of the most generous in the world. However, its integrity can only be maintained by ensuring that individuals like Mr. Mohammad, whose heinous crimes and misrepresentations mean they are not legally admissible to Canada, are identified and removed.”

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New Parent and Grandparent program re-opens January 2, 2014

Mississauga, May 10, 2013 — Citizenship and Immigration Canada will re-open the Parent and Grandparent (PGP) program for new applications on January 2, 2014, by which time the backlog and wait times in the program are expected to have been cut in half.

“The Action Plan for Faster Family Reunification is on track to meet the goals of cutting in half the backlog and wait times in the Parent and Grandparent program,” said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney.

“It is very important that we continue to make progress and not return to the old broken system with wait times as long as a decade—that would be unfair to families.”

Phase II of the Action Plan for Faster Family Reunification will provide even faster processing times, reduce the backlog further, prevent future backlogs, ensure that families have the financial means to support those they sponsor, and protect the interests of taxpayers.

First – In 2012 and 2013, Canada will admit 50,000 parents and grandparents as permanent residents. This represents the highest level of parents and grandparents admitted in 20 years. In 2014, Canada will maintain high levels of admissions for parents and grandparents.

Second – The Super Visa will become permanent and will continue to provide flexibility for families who access the 10-year multiple-entry visa, allowing visa holders to remain in Canada up to two years at a time. Over 15,000 Super Visas have been issued since the program’s launch in December 2011 with approval rates averaging 86 percent.

Third – New qualifying criteria for permanent residency sponsorship of parents and grandparents will increase the financial responsibility of sponsors to ensure they have the means to support those they sponsor, while limiting the program’s cost to taxpayers and Canada’s strained health and social programs.

Fourth – 5,000 new sponsorship applications will be accepted in the program in 2014. By accepting 5,000 applications in 2014 while maintaining high levels, the government will be able to further reduce the remaining backlog so that families can be reunited more quickly.

“These new criteria ensure sponsored family members are well supported by their sponsors throughout their time in Canada,” said Minister Kenney. “The redesigned Parent and Grandparent program reunites families faster while respecting Canadian taxpayers and the limited resources for health and social programs.”

Canada has one of the most generous family reunification programs in the world. The United States, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand do not allow grandparents to be sponsored at all or only in very limited circumstances, and they have very restrictive criteria for the sponsorship of parents.

The amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations that are being proposed will be pre-published in the Canada Gazette (Part I) and the public will be able to comment for a 30-day period.

• Backgrounder: Action Plan for Faster Family Reunification - Phase II
• Backgrounder: Regulatory Impact Assessment Statement - PGP Program
• Backgrounder: Regulatory Impact Assessment Statement - Age of Dependents

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Ottawa, May 8, 2013 — Plans to expand passport services and make them more convenient and efficient were announced today by Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney and Human Resources and Skills Development Minister Diane Finley.
 

Effective July 2, primary responsibility for Passport Canada will move from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). This sensible move is in line with the duties CIC already performs, such as determining Canadian citizenship.

Canadians will not experience an interruption of services. They will be able to continue accessing passport services through all of the same service locations currently available in Canada through the existing network of 144 Service Canada Centres, 56 Canada Post intake locations, and 34 passport offices across the country. Service Canada will assume responsibility for passport operations, and, over time, services will expand to more Service Canada Centres and Canadians will ultimately even be able to apply for a passport online.

“The government is committed to making passport services more convenient and accessible for Canadians,” said Minister Kenney. “As Citizenship and Immigration Canada is already responsible for determining Canadian citizenship, integrating the passport program into the department makes good sense.”

“Through Service Canada, we offer single-window access to a wide range of Government of Canada programs and services for citizens,” said Minister Finley.  “Leveraging Service Canada’s resources and service delivery network across the country will make passport services more accessible and convenient.”

Passport Canada’s IT system is nearing the end of its lifespan and significant investment will be required to bring it up to date whereas CIC’s current operating IT system has the capacity and security features for a move to online applications, and also offers Canadian taxpayers a sensible, cost-effective alternative.

It is important to note that Canadians who need consular services while traveling overseas, to replace a lost passport for example, will continue to be supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

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Ottawa, May 7, 2013 — In 2012, there was a 15 percent increase in immigration under the family class, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today.
 
“The actions taken by the government are helping more families reunite,” said Minister Kenney. “We have created additional avenues and flexibility, so that an increasing number of families can spend more time with each other.”

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Ottawa, May 6, 2013 — The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, made the following statement upon learning that a Canadian permanent resident pleaded guilty of misrepresentation and was handed a $25,000 fine following a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) investigation.

“I applaud the CBSA for their thorough investigation of this case and for helping protect the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.

“This case sends a clear message to those who commit fraud that they will be caught and face real consequences.

“Our government is committed to strengthening the value of Canadian citizenship and is cracking down on citizenship and residency fraud.

I urge anyone who has information regarding residency fraud to call Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC) tip line to report it and help us protect the value of Canadian citizenship.”

The Government of Canada offers a tip line through the CIC Call Centre where tips on suspected residency fraud cases may be reported.

Cases involving false representation, fraud or knowingly concealing material circumstances in the citizenship process – for example, pretending to be present in Canada to meet the residence requirements for obtaining citizenship – should be referred to the citizenship fraud tip line at CIC’s Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100 (in Canada only, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday).

Tips may also be reported by e-mail at Citizenship-fraud-tips@cic.gc.ca.

All other types of immigration fraud tips should be reported to the CBSA Border Watch Tip Line at 1-888-502-9060. The CBSA is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Tips accepted by the Border Watch Tip Line include, but are not limited to, suspicious cross-border activity, marriages of convenience, misrepresentation in any temporary or permanent immigration application, or the whereabouts of any person wanted on an immigration warrant.

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Ottawa, May 5, 2013 — The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, issued the following statement to mark the celebration of Easter in the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches:
 
“Holy Week and Eastertide are a time of profound solemnity and joy to Christians in Canada and around the world. One of the oldest holidays of the Christian faith, Easter celebrates Jesus Christ’s Resurrection from the dead and the triumph of good over evil.

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Ottawa, May 3, 2013 — Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will be accepting applications to the new and improved Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) as of May 4, 2013.

“The government’s number one priority remains jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity,” said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. “Our changes ensure not only that Canada can select the immigrants most needed by our economy, but that they are best positioned for success.”

Improvements to the FSWP points grid are based on a large body of research, which has consistently shown that language proficiency and youth are two of the most important factors in the economic success of immigrants. The FSWP has been modernized as a result of thorough research, an extensive program evaluation, stakeholder and public consultations, and a study of best practices in other countries.  

The goal of the updated selection criteria is to improve economic outcomes by selecting immigrants who will be able to integrate more rapidly and successfully into Canada’s economy.

The changes will also support Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2013 by building a fast and flexible immigration system whose primary focus is meeting Canada’s economic and labour market needs. Among these changes is the introduction of the Educational Credential Assessment, so that foreign credentials are evaluated based on their true value in Canada, thereby ensuring that newcomers can make an informed decision before immigrating.

In order to prevent ballooning backlogs and lengthy wait times, there is a list of occupations with a set number of applications that will be accepted this year.

Previously, the application backlog for the FSWP was on track for an unacceptable 15-year wait time by 2015 with over 1.5 million applicants in the backlog.

As a result of the Action Plan for Faster Immigration and Economic Action Plan 2012, the backlog for the FSWP has been nearly eliminated, and new applications are being processed in approximately one year.

Full details and new FSWP application kits will be available on CIC’s website later today in time for the May 4 launch of the Program.

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Ottawa, May 2, 2013 — The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, made the following statement following news that the RCMP have arrested and charged a former citizenship judge, an immigration consultant, and the employee of an immigration consultant:

“I applaud the RCMP for their diligent work on this case and for sending a clear message that those who engage in citizenship fraud will be caught and feel the full strength of the law.”

“By helping us identify cases of alleged fraud, the RCMP is contributing to the Government’s efforts to crack down on citizenship and residency fraud.

“Canadian citizenship is not for sale.  Canadians are generous and welcoming, but have no tolerance for those who lie or cheat to obtain Canadian citizenship, or their facilitators.

“The Government has taken unprecedented action to strengthen the value of Canadian citizenship and crack down on citizenship fraud.  This includes legislation that increased penalties for immigration consultants who break the law, and the introduction of a citizenship fraud tip line.

“I urge anyone who has information regarding citizenship fraud to call Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC) tip line to report it and help us protect the value of Canadian citizenship.”

The Government of Canada offers a tip line through the CIC Call Centre where tips on suspected citizenship fraud cases may be reported.

Cases involving false representation, fraud or knowingly concealing material circumstances in the citizenship process – for example, pretending to be present in Canada to meet the residence requirements for obtaining citizenship – should be referred to the citizenship fraud tip line at CIC’s Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100 (in Canada only, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday). 

Tips may also be reported by e-mail at Citizenship-fraud-tips@cic.gc.ca

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Ottawa, May 1, 2013 — Newcomers who participate in the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) Program will benefit from $2.6 million in new funding over the next three years, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced yesterday at a reception hosted by the United States Ambassador David Jacobson.

“Though programs like HIPPY, our government is giving newcomers the best chance possible to integrate into Canada and contribute to a prosperous society,” said Minister Kenney. “The government has had a strong affiliation with the HIPPY Program for many years and is proud to help immigrant parents in their vital role as their child’s first and most important teacher.”

The HIPPY Program has a strong track record of assisting with settlement and integration of newcomers. It helps parents to be a child’s first educator by improving their own literacy skills and fostering active participation of new Canadian families in Canadian society. 

The HIPPY Program was developed in Israel in 1969 as an evidence-based, community-driven program. Since it set up shop in Canada in 1999, HIPPY has expanded its operations and now does remarkable work in 15 communities across the country. Over the past 13 years, HIPPY Canada has reached out to more than 6,000 newcomers as well as Aboriginal and other Canadian families.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s settlement allocations for provinces and territories outside of Quebec have almost tripled from less than $200 million in 2005-2006 to about $600 million for the current fiscal year.

 

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Minister Kenney Announces Four Citizenship Judge Appointments for the Greater Toronto Area

Ottawa, May 1, 2013 —Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today the appointment of four citizenship judges for the Greater Toronto Area.
 
Prior to her appointment, Karen J. McMillan was a member of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada for six years and presided over quasi-judicial hearings and adjudicated refugee matters. She is active in the community as a Canadian National Institute for the Blind volunteer, Ontario Basketball Association Manager and Rotary Club member.
 

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