Citizenship and Immigration Canada is the
departmentA ministry is a specialised organisation responsible for a sector of government public administration, sometimes led by a minister or a senior public servant, that can have responsibility for one or more departments, agencies, bureaus, commissions or other smaller executive, advisory, managerial or...
of the government of
CanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
with responsibility for issues dealing with
immigrationImmigration to Canada is the process by which people migrate to Canada to reside permanently in the country. The majority of these individuals become Canadian citizens. After 1947, domestic immigration law and policy went through major changes, most notably with the Immigration Act, 1976, and the...
and
citizenshipCitizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular social, political, national, or human resource community. Citizenship status, under social contract theory, carries with it both rights and responsibilities...
. The department was established in 1994 following a reorganization within the federal government.
Prior to 1994 the immigration was placed under several ministries:
- Department of Immigration and Colonization 1917 to 1936
- Department of Mines and Resources 1936 to 1950
- Department of Citizenship and Immigration 1950 to 1966
- Department of Manpower and Immigration 1966 to 1977
- Department of Employment and Immigration 1977 to 1991
- Department of Multiculturalism and Citizenship 1991 to 1994
The current
Minister of Citizenship and ImmigrationThe Minister of Citizenship and Immigration is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet who is responsible for overseeing the federal government department responsible for immigration, refugee and citizenship issues, Citizenship and Immigration Canada...
is
Jason KenneyJason T. Kenney, PC, MP is Canada's current Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. He has represented the riding of Calgary Southeast in the Canadian House of Commons since 1997....
.
Presence
CIC operates a large network of "Citizenship and Immigration Centres" throughout Canada and in an important number of embassies, high commissions and consulates abroad.
Service CanadaService Canada is part of a Government of Canada-wide service transformation initiative aimed at responding to Canadians' expressed desire for better, more responsive, less cluttered service from Canadian governments...
recently started to take over some of the domestic field operations of the department while the
Canada Border Services AgencyThe Canada Border Services Agency is a federal law enforcement agency that is responsible for border enforcement, immigration enforcement and customs services....
took over the control of enforcement and entry control at borders and airports.
CIC remains responsible for the establishment of policies and processing of permanent and temporary residence visa,
refugeeA refugee is a person who outside her country of origin or habitual residence because she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until...
protection and
citizenshipCitizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular social, political, national, or human resource community. Citizenship status, under social contract theory, carries with it both rights and responsibilities...
applications.
Funding
CIC helps immigrants and refugees settle in Canada by funding organizations like the
Canadian Caregivers AssociationThe Canadian Caregivers Association is a non-profit organization that was established to protect the and families from all over Canada and warn them about malpractice in this business...
to provide newcomers with settlement programs. These organizations are called service provider organizations.
The CIC funds the following programs through service provider organizations:
- Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada
- Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program (called the Integrated Service Program in Alberta)
- Host Program
- Resettlement Assistance Program (for resettled refugees)
The services provided under these programs include the following:
- Adult language classes in English and French
- Information on life in Canada
- Job searching
- Participation in community activities
- Access and referral to community resources
Related Legislation
- Citizenship Act of Canada
The Canadian Citizenship Act is an Act of the Parliament of Canada, which was enacted June 27, 1946, and came into effect on January 1, 1947, recognizing the definition of a Canadian, including reference to them being British subjects....
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act is an Act of the Parliament of Canada, passed in 2001 as Bill C-11, which replaced the Immigration Act of 1976 as the primary federal legislation regulating Immigration to Canada....
Staffing
The Citizenship and Immigration Canada department employs 5,000 staff. In 2006 the Canadian government reduced the landing fee per immigrant by 50%.
Current Citizenship and Immigration Structure
- Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet who is responsible for overseeing the federal government department responsible for immigration, refugee and citizenship issues, Citizenship and Immigration Canada...
- Deputy Minister
- Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic and Program Policy
- Assistant Deputy Minister, Operations
- Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services
- Assistant Deputy Minister, Client Service Modernization
See also
- Canada Border Services Agency
The Canada Border Services Agency is a federal law enforcement agency that is responsible for border enforcement, immigration enforcement and customs services....
- Canadian nationality law
Canadian citizenship is typically obtained by birth in Canada, birth abroad when at least one parent is a Canadian citizen and was born or naturalized in Canada, or by adoption abroad by at least one Canadian citizen. It can also be granted to a permanent resident who lives in Canada for three out...
- Economic impact of immigration to Canada
The economic impact of immigration is an important topic in Canada. While the immigration rate has declined sharply from its peak early in the 20th century, Canada still holds the title of accepting more immigrants per capita than any other country....
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act is an Act of the Parliament of Canada, passed in 2001 as Bill C-11, which replaced the Immigration Act of 1976 as the primary federal legislation regulating Immigration to Canada....
- Immigration to Canada
Immigration to Canada is the process by which people migrate to Canada to reside permanently in the country. The majority of these individuals become Canadian citizens. After 1947, domestic immigration law and policy went through major changes, most notably with the Immigration Act, 1976, and the...
- Permanent resident
A Permanent Resident in Canada is someone who is not a Canadian citizen but who has been granted permission to live and work in Canada without any time limit on his or her stay...
- Temporary resident
A temporary resident in Canada is someone who is not a Canadian citizen but is legally in Canada for a temporary purpose, including international students, foreign workers and tourists.Some foreign nationals require a Temporary Resident Visa to visit Canada...
External links